COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN LOUISIANA

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Community Integration and Habilitation Services in Louisiana help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), acquired brain injuries, and other support needs develop life skills and actively participate in their communities. These services are available through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and are structured to promote independence, community belonging, and reduced reliance on institutional care.

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1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)

Role: Administers waiver programs and sets standards for habilitation, community access, and individualized services

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

Role: Processes provider enrollment, billing, and Medicaid reimbursement

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Ensures federal compliance with HCBS rules, person-centered planning, and community integration mandates

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)** (for those enrolled in Bayou Health)

Role: Authorize services in the participant’s Plan of Care (POC) and coordinate billing and service delivery

2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Community Integration and Habilitation Services are individualized, goal-driven supports that promote:

• Participation in community activities (e.g., volunteering, recreation, social engagement)

• Development of adaptive and daily living skills

• Increased autonomy in communication, transportation, budgeting, and socialization

• Support for behavioral needs in real-world settings

• Training in safety awareness, health management, and community navigation

• Access to natural supports and peer relationships

Services must be outlined in a Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) and reflect the participant’s personal interests, goals, and support needs.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Louisiana Secretary of State

• Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI

• Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

• Apply to serve specific HCBS waivers (e.g., ROW, NOW, Supports Waiver)

• Maintain general liability and workers’ compensation insurance

• Employ or contract with Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) or habilitation specialists

• Develop a Community Integration & Habilitation Policy & Procedure Manual

• Ensure HIPAA compliance and implement participant progress documentation systems

4. LOUISIANA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment

• Apply through the Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal for the selected waiver service categories (e.g., Community Integration, Habilitation, Day Supports)

Step 2: Credentialing and Documentation Submission

• Provide business license, staff background checks, training certifications, and policy manual

Step 3: MCO or Support Coordination Alignment

• Collaborate with waiver support coordinators to receive referrals and ensure PCSP goals are addressed

Step 4: Service Implementation

• Begin community-based support activities and document progress for each participant

• Submit claims for authorized hours or sessions as outlined in the waiver guidance

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or business license

• IRS EIN and NPI documentation

• Liability insurance and proof of staff credentialing

• Community Integration & Habilitation Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

  • Intake and functional assessment forms

  • Goal-setting and PCSP alignment templates

  • Daily progress note logs and monthly summaries

  • Community activity logs and incident reporting forms

  • HIPAA compliance procedures and consent documentation

  • Participant rights, emergency protocols, and supervision policies

  • Billing logs and quality assurance reports for audits

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Direct Support Professional (DSP) / Habilitation Specialist

Requirements: High school diploma or GED; experience with individuals with I/DD or behavioral support needs; cleared background check; CPR/First Aid training preferred

Role: Community Access Facilitator / Program Coordinator

Requirements: Familiarity with HCBS waivers, person-centered practices, and community mapping

All staff must complete:

• HIPAA and confidentiality training

• Participant rights and abuse prevention training

• Safety and emergency response procedures

• Annual continuing education in habilitation and disability support

• Documentation and PCSP implementation best practices

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS & HCBS WAIVERS

Community Integration and Habilitation Services are covered under:

• Residential Options Waiver (ROW)

• New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)

• Supports Waiver

• Children’s Choice Waiver (for habilitation and family training supports)

Service delivery settings include:

• Community-based locations (e.g., libraries, gyms, volunteer sites)

• Participant’s home (for skill-building and personal development)

• Day program locations (when approved and non-institutional)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Credentialing

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Community Planning

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Participant Referrals and Service Activation

Timeline: Rolling, based on support coordinator and waiver team approvals

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://www.lamedicaid.com

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)

Website: https://ldh.la.gov

Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)

Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/121

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — LOUISIANA COMMUNITY INTEGRATION & HABILITATION PROVIDER

WCG assists disability agencies, nonprofits, and independent providers in launching Medicaid-approved Community Integration and Habilitation programs across Louisiana.

Scope of Work:

• Medicaid enrollment and waiver credentialing

• Development of Policy & Procedure Manual

• Goal tracking templates, community activity logs, and daily progress note systems

• Staff onboarding materials and DSP training logs

• HIPAA-compliant documentation and billing support

• Outreach strategies to build referral relationships with support coordinators and waiver teams

Continue To Our Client Portal To Get Started

Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements.