FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about FreedomCare

Am I eligible for this program?

Who can I hire as a caregiver?

Where is FreedomCare available?

FreedomCare is available in EVERY COUNTY in New York State.

It is also available in Missouri, Nevada, Philadelphia, Arizona, Indiana, Georgia, Connecticut, Colorado, and Oregon.

Am I Eligibile?

What is your #1 question today?

“How much will I get paid?”

FAQs about Payment + Benefits

“Am I eligible?”

FAQs about Medicaid and Insurance

“Can I be a caregiver?”

FAQs for prospective caregivers

“How does enrollment work?”

FAQs about the enrollment process

“Who pays for all this?”

FAQs for the patient

“How do I install the app?”

FAQs for current FreedomCare caregivers

How much will I get paid?

Questions about Payment

Caregiver Pay Rate

How much will I get paid?

Payment + benefits depend on the patient’s location and insurance plan. Please call us at to find out your exact rates.

How many hours will I be able to work?

This depends on two things:
i. How many hours the consumer is approved for.
ii. How many hours the consumer wants you to work.
‍All work hours are subject to appropriate labor regulations and policies.

Is there a minimum number of hours I have to work?

No. Some benefits are affected by the number of hours worked, but you’ll get paid as a caregiver for whatever hours you worked.

How often will I get paid?

You’ll get paid every Friday — guaranteed. (As long as you submitted your hours properly, of course!) Our caregivers appreciate that their payments come in like clockwork; no exceptions.

How will I get paid?

You’ll get a paycheck every Friday by direct deposit, mailed check, or pay card (provided at no cost).

Can I care for more than one patient at a time?

Yes, but you’ll need to split the hours. For example, if Mom qualifies for 23 hours per week and Dad qualifies for 20 hours per week, you can work in the home for 43 hours and be paid for 43 hours. The hours will be split: you cannot be on the clock for both Mom and Dad at the same time.

If I care for both my parents at the same time, do I get paid double?

See question above. You can add their hours together and work all the hours, but you will never get paid double per hour.

Can I get paid to take care of my spouse?

No – not if you are legally married to your spouse.

Will I get paid time off?

As you work, you’ll accrue up to 40 paid sick hours each year. Plus, you can get direct deposit, paid family leave, and disability (if you qualify). And in many NY locations, caregivers are eligible for a free health benefits package.

Will you reimburse my travel costs?

No, we are unable to reimburse travel expenses on this program.

Hours and Tracking

Are my hours set? Can I be on a flexible schedule?

Hours are flexible, so you and the person you care for can make a schedule that works for you both.

Are my hours set? Can I be on a flexible schedule?

Hours are flexible, so you and the person you care for can make a schedule that works for you both.

How will you track my hours?

We have a special app for caregivers, so you can clock in and out on your phone. No paperwork, no timesheets — it’s fast and simple.

What if there’s a mistake with my payment?

That’s why our 80+ dedicated staff members are here. Our average phone wait time is 11 seconds, so if you ever have a problem, just pick up the phone — you can expect a helpful, professional resolution immediately.

If I need a day off, who will cover me?

We encourage every patient to sign up at least 2 caregivers. This way, if you cannot care for your loved one on a particular day, your back-up caregiver can step in. And if you need coverage for a longer period of time, contact us at (866) 349-2331. We can set your loved one up with another one of our programs where we match them with a professional and caring home attendant.

What if I’m sick and can’t work?

No worries. As you work, you’ll accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick time each year. FreedomCare caregivers get lots of great benefits: sick time, regular pay, direct deposit, overtime, paid family leave (if you qualify), and disability (if you qualify). And in many NY locations, caregivers are eligible for health benefits — with no monthly fee!

Can you provide assistance if I am not available that day to be with grandmother?

FreedomCare does not offer outside aides under CDPAP — but you can avoid this conflict if the patient signs up more than one caregiver.

And if you need coverage for a longer period of time, contact us at (866) 349-2331. We can set your loved one up with another one of our programs where we match them with a professional and caring home attendant.

Caregiver Benefits

What benefits will I get as a caregiver?

LOTS! FreedomCare caregivers get on-time pay (we’ve never missed a payment!), paid sick time, direct deposit, overtime, paid family leave (if eligible), and disability (if eligible). And in many NY locations, caregivers are eligible for health benefits — with no monthly fee!

Will I get health insurance?

Yes! If you live in New York City, or Nassau, Westchester, or Suffolk counties, you may get health insurance — with no monthly fee. And in ALL New York locations, you can always join our highly affordable company plan. Speak to one of our representatives for more details by calling (866) 349-2331.

Will I get paid vacation days?

As you work, you’ll accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick time each year.

Are there any retirement plans available?

Yes! FreedomCare offers a 401(k) plan, also known as a retirement plan, that you can contribute to 90 days after your start date.

Where can I find my state labor law posters?

You can download a copy of your state labor law posters here.

Am I eligible?

Questions about Medicaid, Medicare & Insurance

Medicaid and Medicare

Do you have to be on Medicaid to qualify?

YES. This program is ONLY for Medicaid recipients, without exception. Medicare is not enough. If you don’t have Medicaid but think you may be eligible, call (866) 349-2331 now to reach a partner vendor who can help you get Medicaid.

My grandmother had Medicare. Does she qualify?

Only if she has Medicaid too (Medicare is NOT enough).

What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?

Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a low income. Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65 and older or have a severe disability, no matter your income.

I have both Medicare and Medicaid – am I eligible?

Yes! As long as you have Medicaid, you are eligible to apply.

I only have Medicare – am I eligible?

No. You need Medicaid. If you don’t have it but think you may be eligible, call (866) 349-2331 now to reach a partner vendor who can help you get Medicaid.

I don’t have Medicaid, but I think I may be eligible. How do I obtain Medicaid?

Call (866) 349-2331 now to reach a partner vendor who is committed to helping you get Medicaid. If all the intake reps are tied up, leave a voicemail—you’ll get a callback shortly.

What if I have Medicaid spend-down – am I eligible?

If you pay your Medicaid spend-down each month, you can join the program.

What’s the difference between an agency caregiver and a CDPAP caregiver?

An agency caregiver is a home health aide. They are hired and employed by a home care agency. A CDPAP caregiver is hired by the patient themselves — and they are often a family member or friend of the patient.

At FreedomCare, we can help you hire a caregiver through the CDPAP program: click here to see if you are eligible.
‍
If you…
– are not eligible for the CDPAP program
– don’t have a family member/friend who can care for you
– prefer to hire an aide through our home care agency,
we can help you too: call us now at (866) 349-2331

Medical Eligibility

What does it take to qualify as a person who needs care?

If you need help with activities of daily living — like shopping, cleaning, bathing, and grooming — there’s a good chance you’re eligible. A Medicaid nurse and/or a nurse from your plan will visit you at home to determine (a) if you’re eligible and (b) how many weekly hours of care you can get.

Are there any restrictions on the types of illnesses that are approved?

No. If a person has Medicaid and needs care, they can qualify.

My parent is already getting home care some days of the week. Can I be their caregiver the rest of the time?

In general, FreedomCare and regular home care are mutually exclusive. The insurance company will require the patient to choose one program and go with that program for all their care. Also, FreedomCare will not add hours to a member’s plan of care. For example, if your parent is approved for 3 days of care, they can get 3 days of care — through FreedomCare OR home care, not both.

What if you are receiving help through a hospice?

If you are with an MLTC already, you may be eligible. If you are not currently enrolled with an MLTC, unfortunately we will not be able to enroll you into our program.

Insurance Questions

What does it take to qualify as a person who needs care?

FreedomCare works with most MLTC and Medicaid HMOs throughout the entire New York State.

Here are some of the insurance companies we work with:

Please call (866) 349-2331 to find out if we can work with your insurance and help get you on care.

Disability and Special Needs

My father gets disability benefits – can he qualify?

Yes — if he has Medicaid and needs care.

My mother is on SSI – can she qualify?

Yes — if she has Medicaid and needs care.

My sister has special needs – can she qualify?

Yes — if she is not on any other program. If she is on a special waiver program called OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities), she cannot join FreedomCare, because we are only able to work with an MLTC or Medicaid HMO.

Can I be a caregiver?

Questions for caregivers

Who can be a caregiver?

Who can be a caregiver in this program?

Your son, daughter, grandchild, relative, friend or existing home attendant — anyone except your
• Legal spouse
• Designated representative (the person who makes home care decisions for you)
• Parent (if you are under 21).

My mom needs care, Can I be her caregiver?

Yes, as long as she has Medicaid and lives in New York.

My son needs care. Can I be his caregiver?

Only if he is over 21 years of age. Parents cannot be caregivers for children under 21.

My husband needs care. Can I be his caregiver?

No — not if you are his legal spouse. Legal spouses cannot serve as caregivers for each other in this program.

My neighbor needs care. Can I be their caregiver?

Yes, as long as they have Medicaid and live in New York.

My sister needs care. Can I be her caregiver?

Yes, as long as she has Medicaid and lives in New York.

I’m only 18. Can I be a caregiver?

Yes! You can be a caregiver if you are 18 years or older.

I’m not a US citizen. Can I be a caregiver?

Yes, as long as you have valid work authorization. Not sure how to get that? Contact us at (877) 781-5842.

I live with my mom. Can I be her caregiver?

I am my mother’s POA (power of attorney) and health proxy. Can I be her caregiver?

Yes! Patients and caregivers can reside in the same home.

My mom has a home health aide. Can I work some hours each week for my mom, and her existing aide will work the rest?

Yes, as long as the aide is willing to join CDPAP.

I want to work with FreedomCare!

I already have a part-time job. Can I still be a caregiver?

Yes, as long as you can put in the hours needed.

I want to work for FreedomCare, but I don’t have a family member or friend who needs care. Can I still work for you?

Yes! FreedomCare has recently opened its own Home Health Aide (HHA) agency. We accept only dedicated caregivers who take great pride in their work. Click here to learn more and apply.

Caregiver Qualifications + Process

Do I need to be certified?

Nope! No certifications; no prior training. You just need to be a capable person who wants to care for someone they love.

What if I have a misdemeanor on my record? Would that disqualify me as a caregiver?

Nope! No certifications; no prior training. You just need to be a capable person who wants to care for someone they love.

Process of getting approved as a caregiver

What steps will I have to take to get approved as a caregiver?

If you are 18 or older and authorized to work in the US, you can get approved! You’ll need to get a physical exam, sign some paperwork, and show your ID. No need to travel to our office — we’ll come to the patient’s house!

Will I need a physical exam to get approved as a caregiver?

Yes. Call our office at (877) 781-5842 to get the details.

What are the steps to sign up?

Questions about the Enrollment Process

What is the process of signing up?

Here are the steps:

1 – CALL. You’ll call us at (866) 349-2331. One of our intake representatives will help you get started on obtaining authorization from the patient’s Medicaid insurance.

2 – FORMS. We’ll send you some forms, including a nurse assessment and medical forms, to be completed by the patient’s doctor.

3 – IN-HOUSE VISIT. One of our onboarding field specialists will conduct an in-home orientation with both the patient and the caregiver, ensuring that all parties involved understand the process and responsibility.

4 – WELCOME ABOARD! A member of our welcoming team will welcome the patient into the program, give a username and password for our app, trigger caregiver payroll, set the caregiver schedule, and introduce the care team coordinator. You are all set for loving care to begin!

How long does it take to be approved?

It can take anywhere from two weeks to three months, depending on how fast your insurance sends approval.

Will I need to come to your office to enroll?

Nope! You’ll email or fax the necessary forms, and we’ll come to you for the orientation.

Where are your offices located?

You can visit our offices by appointment only. We have offices in:
Long Island
Queens
Bronx
Brooklyn
Buffalo
Monticello
Rochester
Syracuse
Manhattan
Melville, Long Island
But if you don’t live nearby, no worries: you don’t have to come into our office to sign up.

I filled out all the forms. Where should I submit them?

You can email them to: [email protected] or fax them to: 718.989.3734.

Can this program work for me?

Questions for the Patient

Who can I choose to be my caregiver?

My daughter lives with me. Can she be my caregiver?

Yes! Patients and caregivers can reside in the same home.

Will I have to pay for this program?

No! This is a Medicaid-funded program; you will not pay anything.

Can I hire my spouse?

No — not if they are your legal spouse. Legal spouses cannot serve as caregivers for each other in this program.

Can I hire my daughter or son?

Yes!

Would FreedomCare replace the current care services I get?

Yes, the CDPAP by FreedomCare program is instead of traditional homecare.

How much does it cost to be enrolled? Nothing!

This is a Medicaid-funded program; you will not pay anything.

I get care during the day through Medicaid. Can I pay my daughter to take care of me at night?

Our program is funded by Medicaid. Medicaid will pay your daughter to care for you during the time allotted to you by your Medicaid insurance company.

Switching programs

Can I switch from another CDPAP agency?

Yes! Call us now at (866) 349-2331 and we’ll show you how.

Is it easy to switch companies? What would the steps be?

Call us; it’s simple. We need your physical exam results, we need the patient to request the switch from their insurance case manager, and we will come to the house to sign you up.

How does this program work?

General Questions about FreedomCare

I don’t live in New York’ can I still apply for FreedomCare?

The FreedomCare program is available in New York, Missouri, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. It is not available in any other states.

Is FreedomCare available in New Jersey?

No. But there are similar services available in New Jersey — click here to learn more.

Is FreedomCare available everywhere in New York?

Yes! FreedomCare operates in every one of New York’s counties. So wherever you are in New York, you can enjoy this program.

Who pays for this program?

Is it free? Medicaid pays for this program; it is free for all members.

How does this program work?

If you are Medicaid-eligible, you can hire a family member or friend to take care of you, and FreedomCare will pay your caregiver through the state’s CDPAP program.

I am a NY resident, but I live with my daughter in another state for several months a year. Can I still qualify for this program?

This is likely fine. Please call us at (866) 349-2331 to discuss the details of your situation.

I have a home attendant, can I have my relative get paid to take care of me as well?

In general, a patient cannot get FreedomCare AND regular home care. The insurance company will require the patient to choose one program and go with that program for all their care. Also, FreedomCare will not add hours to a member’s plan of care. For example, if you are approved for 20 hours per week of care, you can get 20 hours of care — through FreedomCare OR home care, not a combination.

If my mom is getting home care during the day through Medicaid, can I get paid for the hours I take are of her at night?

We cannot add hours to your mom’s existing allotment; we can only allow you to take over existing hours of home care.

If your mom prefers to get care in the late afternoon/evenings (for example 5-9 pm)
and it works better for you, that’s fine.

If you want to get paid for overnight care, this will require a special review and approval by your mom’s insurance company. The approval must indicate a clear need for care to take place specifically during nighttime hours.”

Current Caregivers

Questions for active FreedomCare Caregivers

How do I install the app on my phone?

The FreedomCare program is available in New York, Missouri, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. It is not available in any other states.

How do I log in to the payment site to review my pay stubs?

No. But there are similar services available in New Jersey — click here to learn more.

My paycheck did not appear in my bank account as expected. What do I do?

Please contact your coordinator — they will look into it and help you work things out.

The app is not working for me – is there any other way I can clock in and out?

No. But the app should work for you on any phone or tablet — it doesn’t have to be yours.

I want to get information about my insurance benefits. Who do I contact?

Please contact our plan administrator at (866) 349-2331 for a detailed explanation of your benefits.

My patient has been hospitalized; what should I do now?

When the patient is hospitalized, you must contact your coordinator immediately to inform them. You are NOT to clock in once the patient is admitted as the insurance will not pay for home care services during hospitalization.

You may be eligible!

Fill out this form to see if you’re a candidate.

Can’t stand forms? Call us now at (866) 349-2331 you can expect a helpful representative in 11 seconds or less.

Contact Information:

FreedomCare may contact me at this number via calls or texts (including through use of an automatic telephone dialing system and artificial or pre-recorded voicemail) to provide information about or to help me enroll with FreedomCare. Your consent is not required to enroll. Message and data rates may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions about FreedomCare

Most popular questions

Am I eligible for this program?

Who can I hire as a caregiver?

Where is FreedomCare available?

Am I Eligibile?

What is your #1 question today?

“How much will I get paid?”

“Am I eligible?”

“Can I be a caregiver?”

“How does enrollment work?”

“Who pays for all this?”

“How do I install the app?”

How much will I get paid?

Hours and Tracking

Caregiver Benefits

Am I eligible?

Questions about Medicaid, Medicare & Insurance

Medicaid and Medicare

Medical Eligibility

Insurance Questions

Disability and Special Needs

Can I be a caregiver?

Questions for caregivers

Who can be a caregiver?

I want to work with FreedomCare!

Caregiver Qualifications + Process

Process of getting approved as a caregiver

What are the steps to sign up?

Questions about the Enrollment Process

What is the process of signing up?

Can this program work for me?

Questions for the Patient

Switching programs

How does this program work?

General Questions about FreedomCare

Current Caregivers

Questions for active FreedomCare Caregivers

You may be eligible!

Fill out this form to see if you’re a candidate.

Contact Information:

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