ADULT COMPANION SERVICES PROVIDER IN ALABAMA

Fatumata Kaba
Jun 30
3 min read

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH SOCIALIZATION AND NON-MEDICAL CARE

Adult Companion Services in Alabama are designed to offer non-medical care, supervision, and social interaction for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who live in their own homes or family homes. These services help promote community inclusion, emotional support, and the safety and well-being of the individual. Adult Companion Services are authorized under Alabama’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers and follow the standards established by the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)

Role: Oversees provider authorization, compliance, and training requirements under HCBS waivers

Agency: Alabama Medicaid Agency

Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment and billing for Adult Companion Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight to ensure adherence to HCBS waiver program guidelines

2. ADULT COMPANION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Adult Companion Services provides support to individuals with IDD who require assistance to remain safely in their homes and participate in their community. These services are delivered by trained companions and are focused on non-medical support and interpersonal engagement. Approved providers may offer:

Supervision and safety monitoring
Social and recreational support
Assistance with light housekeeping and meal preparation
Accompaniment to appointments, errands, or community events
Companionship and emotional support

Services must be person-centered, non-intrusive, and based on the individual’s needs and preferences as outlined in their service plan.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Alabama Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Maintain a physical office location in Alabama or operate under a home-based business model
Establish service delivery procedures for in-home and community-based companionship
Implement systems for tracking time, activities, and service outcomes
Hire and train staff to ensure quality and compliance with non-medical care standards

4. ADMH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request the Adult Companion Services Provider Application Packet from ADMH
Submit a business and service plan outlining staffing, safety procedures, and documentation processes
Include consumer interaction protocols, supervision structure, and daily activity planning

Background & Credentialing:

Background checks for all staff providing direct support
Drug screening and verification of eligibility to work with vulnerable populations
Staff documentation of training in safety, ethics, and consumer support

Program Readiness Review:

Review of policies and procedures for service delivery and consumer protection
Sample documentation for daily logs, consumer notes, and incident reports
Plan for staff scheduling, supervision, and emergency protocols

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon ADMH approval, complete Alabama Medicaid enrollment as an Adult Companion Services provider
Add applicable billing codes to service offerings

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or LLC Certificate
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Office lease or proof of home office operations
ADMH-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Service planning and consumer eligibility criteria
- Safety, supervision, and emergency procedures
- Confidentiality and abuse prevention protocols
- Staff qualifications, training, and supervision plans
- Documentation of service hours and consumer interaction
Signed individual service plans and companion logs
Incident reports and grievance procedures