Council on Aging (COA) is the Area Agency on Aging serving Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties in southwestern Ohio. In this role, COA administers publicly-funded programs that provide in-home and community-based services to more than 26,000 individuals in our region.
Due to staffing shortages at home care agencies across the nation and in our area, many COA clients experience delays and inconsistencies with their in-home care services (including help with housekeeping, personal care, errands, cooking and more). These services play an essential role in helping COA clients remain safe and independent in their homes.
We are seeking individuals (typically family members) to become certified Participant Directed Care providers to serve specific clients in our service area.
Become a Participant Directed Care provider
Participant Directed Care (PDC) also known as consumer (CDC) or self-directed care (SDC) allows COA clients enrolled in eligible programs to hire their own home care workers (instead of using a home health agency). This option gives clients more flexibility and control over their care.
In PDC, enrolled clients (or their authorized representative) act as an employer. The individual they hire to provide their care is known as their PDC provider. PDC providers are paid (at an allowable rate for authorized services) through the program their employer is enrolled in. A Financial Management Service (FMS) provider manages payroll, taxes, and maintains records for both the client and their care provider. Exception: Non-agency providers are selected by the client similar to other PDC provider options; however non-agency providers are certified as a one-person agency that manages all their own billing without a specific FMS.
PDC providers can serve relatives as long as he/she is not the power of attorney, guardian, or authorized representative for the client. If the client is unable to sign paperwork or confirm timesheets independently, another support person can be designated as an authorized representative to assist.
As of June 2025: COA is focused on certifying individuals (typically family members) to serve specific clients in our service area. Keep in mind that the clients’ program will determine the correct certification to apply for. Use the chart below for assistance.
Clients that are not enrolled in COA programs and need assistance are encouraged to contact our call center about services (513)721-1025.
Participant Direction Care Service Options
If you are interested in becoming a PDC provider, you can choose from the following options:
- Choices Home Care Attendant Service (C-HCAS) – most common option
- Consumer-Directed Personal Care Service (CD-PCS)
- Home Care Attendant Non- Agency Provider
- Non- Agency Independent Provider
- Consumer Directed Care with ESP/AddnAide (Hamilton and Butler Counties)
Please note that you may only apply for one certification at a time. Each certification process: 90 days – six months and pay rate – vary depending on which service option you choose to become certified in.
| PDC Provider Options | Application | Application Assistance | Clients | Pay Rate |
| Choices Home Care Attendant Service (C-HCAS) Ohio Department of Aging | Choices Home Care Attendant (No prior training required) | COA Provider Engagement Coach Hannah Hartig | COA Medicaid Waiver clients age 60 + | Minimum wage up to $27.00* |
| Consumer-Directed Personal Care Service (CD-PCS) Ohio Department of Aging | Consumer-Directed Personal Care Provider | COA Provider Engagement Coach Hannah Hartig | COA Medicaid Waiver clients age 60 + | $13.76* Rate established by the state of Ohio |
| Home Care Attendant Non- Agency Provider Ohio Department of Aging | Home Care Attendant Non-Agency Provider STNA** or CNA** (or equivalent) required to apply RN signature required for application – applicant’s responsibility | COA Provider Engagement Coach Hannah Hartig | COA Medicaid Waiver clients age 60 + | $27.53* Rate established by the state of Ohio |
| Non- Agency Independent Provider Ohio Department of Medicaid | Non-Agency Provider Enrollment Resources — Ohio HCBS Provider Network Development and Oversight STNA** or CNA** (or equivalent) required to apply | Public Consulting Group 877-908-1746 ohiohcbs@pcgus.com | Medicaid clients on Medicaid Waiver program regardless of age | $22.38* Rate established by the state of Ohio |
| Consumer Directed Care COA’s Elderly Service Program | Aides – Home 52 | COA’s ESP case manager and/or Palco /AddnAide | COA’s Elderly Service Program in Hamilton and Butler counties | $12.00- $15.00 * |
*Pay rates are set by client or program and will vary due to the complexity of the services provided and the experience of the PDC.
**State Tested Nurse Aide (STNA) *Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Requirements to become a Participant Directed Care provider
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Complete and pass a criminal background check
- Complete online National Provider Identification (NPI) application and provider application in Provider Network Management (PNM) system
- Complete review process with governing body
- Maintain certification by completing continuing education annually and an annual review with governing body
Need Assistance?
COA’s Provider Engagement Coach Hannah Hartig
If you are interested in becoming a PDC provider, click here to complete an interest form. Council on Aging’s Provider Engagement Coach will follow up with more information.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Choices Home Care Attendant Service (CHCAS) provider and the non-agency (Home Care Attendant Non- Agency Provider/Non- Agency Independent Provider) options? CHCAS providers do not require prior training, unless requested by the client. CHCAS providers are employed by the clients under the Participant Directed Care program. Client hires, fires and trains providers along with setting the payrate. CHCAS providers are set up in a payroll system that manages all payroll, ensuring taxes, worker’s comp and unemployment are paid.
Non-agency providers must be certified as a State Tested Nure Aide (STNA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or equivalent to apply. Non-agency providers are selected by the client, but the state of OH establishes their payrate. Non-agency providers are set up like a one-person agency but the payrate is established by the state of OH. Non-agency providers manage their billing, which includes taxes, worker’s compensation, and unemployment.
I am a certified Department of Development Disabilities (DODD) provider and would like to serve COA client(s). Currently, DODD providers are NOT certified to work for COA’s clients. You may work for a home care agency serving COA’s clients or apply to become a PDC provider serving COA’s clients.
I am a certified Non-agency Independent Provider through Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and I would like to provide services to a Passport Waiver client. Passport Medicaid Waiver clients can be served through Choices Home Care Attendant Service (CHCAS), an agency or non-agency provider under ODA only. Choices Home Care Attendant Service (CHCAS) Provider applications takes four to six months for certification and payroll set up. We recommend working for an agency while working on the certification.
Non-agency Independent Provider through Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) can serve clients on our MyCare Medicaid Wavier programs if the provider is contracted with their specific MyCare Medicaid Waiver health plans: Molina or Aetna. Click here for direction on contacting current plans.
Can I be paid to provide care for a client while working toward certification? No, you will only receive payment once you are a certified provider AND are fully included in the payroll system. (Certification typically takes four to six months.) During the certification process, we recommend working for an agency that is certified and contracted with COA. The following links provide a listing of agencies for each county.
Currently, my client is enrolled in the Elderly Services Program (ESP) and will be transferred to PASSPORT Medicaid Wavier program. What certification do I need to continue receiving payment for providing care? Passport Medicaid Waiver clients can be served through Choices Home Care Attendant Service (CHCAS), an agency or non-agency provider under ODA only. Choices Home Care Attendant Service (CHCAS) Provider applications take four to six months for certification and payroll setup. We recommend working for an agency while working on the certification.
I would like to become a provider; however, my client resides outside the area covered by the Council on Aging. (Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren Counties). How can I become their provider? t is best to work with the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) associated with the person receiving services (serves the area in which they live) for client enrollment/services and provider certification. Please use this link to connect with other AAA’s in Ohio. Click here for listing of AAAs.