BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER IN DELAWARE

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 7
3 min read

DELIVERING INDIVIDUALIZED MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS TO PROMOTE WELL-BEING, SELF-REGULATION, AND COMMUNITY STABILITY

Behavioral Health Services in Delaware help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) manage emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. These services are provided under the Delaware Lifespan Waiver and monitored by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) in collaboration with the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS)

Role: Authorizes Behavioral Health Services under the Lifespan Waiver and monitors service delivery for compliance and quality

Agency: Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA)

Role: Provides Medicaid reimbursement and ensures program integrity

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures all HCBS behavioral health services meet federal person-centered and clinical standards

2. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE OVERVIEW

Behavioral Health Services provide assessment, intervention, and treatment planning to address behavioral challenges that impact a person’s functioning, safety, or community integration. Services must be aligned with the Individual Service Plan (ISP) and delivered by licensed or credentialed professionals.

Approved providers may deliver:

Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA)
Development and implementation of Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs)
Individual and group therapy sessions
Caregiver training and behavioral consultation
Crisis prevention and intervention planning
Documentation of behavior goals, data tracking, and plan outcomes

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Delaware Division of Corporations
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Employ or contract with licensed behavioral health professionals (e.g., BCBA, LCSW, LPCMH, psychologist)
Apply as a Behavioral Health Services Provider through DDDS
Enroll with Delaware Medicaid (DMAP) if billing Medicaid directly
Maintain professional liability insurance and secure, HIPAA-compliant systems

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register your business and obtain NPI

Step 2: Submit an application to DDDS for Behavioral Health Services

Include clinician licenses, resumes, service protocols, and sample documentation

Step 3: Enroll with Delaware Medicaid (DMAP) as a behavioral health provider

Step 4: Coordinate with Support Coordinators and case managers for referrals and ISP authorizations

Step 5: Begin service delivery and maintain compliance with DDDS documentation requirements

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or business registration
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Professional licensure of clinical staff (e.g., BCBA, LCSW, psychologist)
Liability insurance and Medicaid enrollment documentation
DDDS provider approval
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Behavioral assessment and intervention planning forms
- Service delivery tracking and data collection tools
- Crisis response and de-escalation procedures
- HIPAA and participant confidentiality compliance
- Incident reporting and follow-up policies
- Staff supervision and training logs
- Grievance process and participant rights documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Licensed Behavior Analyst / Behavioral Health Clinician

Requirements:

Current Delaware license or certification (e.g., BCBA, psychologist, LCSW, LPCMH)
Background check, CPR/First Aid, and Medicaid compliance training

Role: Behavioral Support Technician / Implementation Specialist

Requirements:

Supervised by a licensed clinician
Trained in behavior plan implementation, data collection, and client interaction

Training Requirements for All Staff:

HIPAA and documentation protocols
Crisis prevention and positive behavior support
Mandated reporting and abuse prevention
ISP integration and goal documentation
CEU tracking and supervision compliance

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Behavioral Health Services are reimbursed under:

Delaware Lifespan Waiver (administered by DDDS)
Delaware Medicaid State Plan (in some cases for eligible therapeutic services)

Approved providers may deliver:

Behavior support plan development and monitoring
Individual and family therapy
Clinical documentation aligned with ISP outcomes
Crisis prevention strategies and staff/caregiver training

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: DDDS Application Submission

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment (DMAP)

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Clinical Onboarding and Referral Coordination

Timeline: Ongoing

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS)

Phone: (302) 744-9600

Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ddds

Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA)

Phone: (302) 255-9500

Website: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma

Delaware Medicaid Provider Enrollment (DMAP)

Website: https://www.demap.dhss.delaware.gov

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER IN DELAWARE

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — DELAWARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER

We help behavioral health professionals and therapy practices become approved Medicaid and DDDS providers of Behavioral Health Services under Delaware’s Lifespan Waiver.

Scope of Work: