DirectMyCare isn’t designed exclusively for Individual Providers.
Consumer Direct Care Network Washington also provides clients and authorized representatives with tools for reviewing care services and managing authorized hours.
This distinction matters because clients and caregivers use the same platform for different purposes.
An Individual Provider primarily records services and reviews work-related information. A client needs to understand which services have been recorded and how available care hours are distributed.
What Can Clients See?
CDWA identifies several client-facing functions in DirectMyCare.
Clients can review the hours submitted by their Individual Providers, see their list of providers, check service authorizations, and allocate hours among workers.
These features make the portal useful for managing ongoing care arrangements.
However, viewing a service record doesn’t necessarily mean the client can edit every detail within it.
Reviewing Submitted Service Hours
One of the most practical features is the ability to see hours submitted by Individual Providers.
This allows clients to compare recorded service activity with their understanding of the care they received.
For example, a client receiving assistance from two caregivers can review the submitted hours associated with their services.
If something appears incorrect, the first step is to identify the provider, service date, and entry involved.
The caregiver may need to correct the record using the applicable CDWA procedure.
Don’t assume a client can directly rewrite an Individual Provider’s submitted time.
Does the Client Approve Every Shift?
This is an important distinction.
CDWA’s public DirectMyCare documentation explicitly confirms that clients can view submitted hours.
It doesn’t clearly establish a universal requirement for clients to approve or reject every individual shift through a dedicated portal button.
Therefore, reviewing a submitted entry shouldn’t automatically be described as approving it.
If a specific record requires additional action, follow the instructions shown in the current portal or contact the assigned Service Coordinator.
Understanding Client Authorizations
Each client has an authorized amount of care services.
This represents the total services approved for the client during the applicable period.
It isn’t necessarily the number of hours assigned to one particular caregiver.
When multiple Individual Providers serve the same person, the authorized amount must be managed across those workers.
DirectMyCare allows clients to review their authorization information rather than relying entirely on informal scheduling arrangements.
Allocating Hours to Individual Providers
CDWA introduced an authorization-allocation feature in March 2024.
It allows clients to assign portions of their authorized service hours to individual caregivers through DirectMyCare.
This is particularly useful when several providers share responsibility for the same client’s care.
The purpose is to help prevent the combined schedules from exceeding the client’s authorization.
However, assigning additional hours to a provider doesn’t increase that provider’s established Work Week Limit.
Both restrictions must be considered.
What Can an Authorized Representative Do?
Some clients have an authorized representative who assists with managing their care arrangements.
CDWA provides separate resources for clients and authorized representatives, including guidance on authorization allocations.
An authorized representative can help manage responsibilities covered by their designation.
However, the exact scope of that person’s authority depends on the applicable agreement and CDWA requirements.
A family relationship alone shouldn’t be assumed to provide unrestricted control over every client record.
What If the Authorized Hours Look Incorrect?
If the portal shows fewer authorized hours than expected, distinguish between two possible issues.
The first is an allocation problem: the client’s existing authorization hasn’t been distributed as intended among providers.
The second is an authorization problem: the underlying amount approved for the client may need review.
Clients can seek help from their CDWA Service Coordinator with allocations.
Changes in care needs that may affect the underlying authorization should be discussed with the DSHS Case Manager.
These are different responsibilities.
Keeping Service Records Accurate
Clients should review submitted hours regularly, particularly when multiple caregivers provide services.
If an entry appears inconsistent with the actual care provided, identify the discrepancy promptly.
The Individual Provider may have a limited window for making certain corrections.
For non-live-in providers using Electronic Visit Verification, CDWA specifies particular procedures for correcting recorded shifts.
The correct process depends on how the service was originally documented.
When to Contact a Service Coordinator
A Service Coordinator can help clarify authorization allocations and other questions about DirectMyCare.
Before requesting assistance, determine whether the issue concerns submitted service hours, a provider assignment, or the client’s overall authorization.
That distinction helps direct the question to the appropriate process.
A Client Management Tool, Not Just a Timesheet
DirectMyCare gives CDCNWA clients greater visibility into the services recorded on their behalf.
Its most important client-facing functions include reviewing submitted hours, checking provider relationships, understanding authorized services, and distributing available hours.
The practical value of DirectMyCare is knowing what care has been recorded and how services are organized. Clients should distinguish reviewing an entry from formally approving it and allocating existing hours from requesting a change to the underlying authorization.