Describes the experiences of 240 early clients in Personal Preference, the state's cash and counseling demonstration. Notes that 76 percent were still enrolled at the time of the nine-month interview, 17 percent had dropped out, and 7 percent had died. More than 7 out of 10 cash recipients said...

This report presents the first impact analysis results from a three-state demonstration in which disabled Medicaid enrollees eligible for personal assistance services get a cash allowance so they can hire whom they please or use the money to buy equipment or supplies, instead of obtaining...

Presents consumer characteristics and describes consumers' experiences, including who received the cash allowance, how they spent it, and their satisfaction with the program. Discusses how program features addressed key policy concerns about consumer direction in the Medicaid program.

The Cash and Counseling Demonstration gives Medicaid beneficiaries who are eligible for personal care services a consumer-directed allowance in lieu of traditional agency services. Using survey and Medicaid claims data on 2,008 adult applicants randomly assigned to treatment or control groups,...

A growing number of Medicaid beneficiaries receiving disability-related assistance in their homes hire workers and manage the services themselves under consumer-directed care. Although consumer direction clearly benefits beneficiaries, it is sustainable only if workers are satisfied with their...

Although providing personal care to a family member with disabilities often is rewarding, it can also be emotionally, physically, and financially burdensome. Caregiver burden may be exacerbated if paid personal care services (PCS), such as those provided by Medicaid-certified personal care...