ADULT DAY HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER IN LOUISIANA

Fatumata Kaba
Aug 12
4 min read

SUPPORTING HEALTH, SOCIALIZATION, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR ADULTS IN COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS

Adult Day Health Services (ADHS) in Louisiana provide structured, community-based programs that offer medical supervision, therapeutic activities, personal care, and social engagement for adults with physical, cognitive, or behavioral health needs. These services help delay or prevent institutionalization by giving participants the support they need during the day while allowing them to live at home or with family caregivers.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)

Role: Administers Medicaid waiver programs that fund adult day health services and monitors provider compliance

Agency: Health Standards Section (HSS) of LDH

Role: Licenses and inspects Adult Day Health Care facilities to ensure compliance with state health and safety standards

Agency: Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) / Molina Medicaid Solutions

Role: Processes enrollment, claims, and reimbursement for approved ADHS providers

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)

Role: Authorize services under a participant’s Plan of Care (POC), coordinate service delivery, and manage claims processing

2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Adult Day Health Services are center-based, medically supervised day programs that provide:

Nursing services (e.g., medication administration, health monitoring)
Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as toileting and grooming
Structured recreational and therapeutic activities
Nutritional support, including meals and snacks
Social services and caregiver support
Physical, occupational, or speech therapies (as authorized)
Transportation to and from the day center (if required and approved)

ADHS must be delivered according to a Plan of Care developed by the participant, case manager, and care team, and overseen by licensed health professionals.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State
Obtain an IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
Secure Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Facility Licensure from the LDH Health Standards Section
Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Maintain liability and malpractice insurance
Hire licensed nurses, direct care staff, and activity coordinators
Develop an Adult Day Health Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Implement HIPAA-compliant EHR, scheduling, and billing systems

4. LOUISIANA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: ADHC Facility Licensure

Apply to the LDH Health Standards Section
Undergo inspection of facility design, safety systems, staffing, and service plans

Step 2: Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Apply through the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Submit facility licensure, business documents, and staffing plans

Step 3: MCO Credentialing

Enroll with Louisiana’s Medicaid MCOs to receive referrals and billing access

Step 4: Participant Referrals and Plan of Care Coordination

Coordinate with waiver case managers and health teams
Begin service delivery after authorization and intake assessments

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Louisiana ADHC Facility License
Articles of Incorporation and IRS EIN confirmation
NPI registration and Medicaid enrollment confirmation
Insurance certificates (liability, workers’ comp, and malpractice)
Adult Day Health Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Intake assessments, care plans, and daily progress notes
- Medication administration records (MARs)
- Staff schedules, training logs, and supervision notes
- Activity and meal planning logs
- Incident reporting, safety protocols, and emergency procedures
- Transportation consent and route logs (if applicable)
- HIPAA compliance and participant rights documentation
- Billing templates, attendance logs, and audit-ready documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Requirements: Licensed in Louisiana; responsible for health assessments, medication administration, and clinical oversight

Role: Direct Support Worker (DSW) or CNA

Requirements: Certified and trained in ADLs, safety, and behavioral support

Role: Program/Activity Coordinator

Requirements: Experience in group facilitation, recreational therapy, or adult education

Role: Administrator / Program Director

Requirements: Supervisory and regulatory compliance experience; background check; familiarity with HCBS waivers and LDH licensure rules

All staff must complete:

HIPAA training and confidentiality agreements
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention
Infection control and emergency response procedures
Annual continuing education and licensure tracking

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS & HCBS WAIVERS

Adult Day Health Services are covered under:

Community Choices Waiver (CCW)
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) (in some regions)
Long-Term Personal Care Services (LT-PCS) (supportive overlaps, not primary coverage)
MCO-authorized supplemental day programs (under Plan of Care)

Service delivery setting: Licensed Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) facility only — must meet state regulatory requirements.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Facility Setup

Timeline: 2–4 months

Phase: ADHC Licensure and Medicaid Enrollment

Timeline: 3–6 months (depending on inspection readiness)

Phase: MCO Credentialing and Staff Onboarding

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Participant Intake and Service Launch

Timeline: Rolling, based on referrals and POC authorizations

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://www.lamedicaid.com

LDH Health Standards Section (ADHC Licensure)

Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/282

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)

Website: https://ldh.la.gov

Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)

Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/119

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — LOUISIANA ADULT DAY HEALTH PROVIDER

WCG supports community leaders, nurse entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations in launching licensed and Medicaid-credentialed Adult Day Health programs across Louisiana.

Scope of Work: