HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN GEORGIA

Fatumata Kaba
3 days ago
4 min read

EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO DEVELOP SKILLS FOR GREATER INDEPENDENCE AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Habilitation Services in Georgia support individuals with developmental disabilities by helping them acquire, retain, or improve skills necessary for daily living, community integration, and self-sufficiency. These services are authorized under Georgia’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs, promoting independence, dignity, and a person-centered approach to care.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)

Role: Oversees Medicaid provider enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement for Habilitation Services

Agency: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

Role: Administers service delivery for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through HCBS waivers

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring Habilitation Services meet Medicaid HCBS person-centered planning requirements

2. HABILITATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Habilitation Services focus on providing individualized instruction and support to help participants develop skills for greater independence in home, work, and community settings.

Approved providers may deliver:

Daily living skills training (e.g., cooking, grooming, managing money)
Social and communication skills development
Mobility and transportation training
Self-advocacy and community integration activities
Support for recreational and educational pursuits
Behavior shaping and adaptive skill-building interventions

All services must be based on a participant’s Individual Service Plan (ISP) and designed to produce measurable outcomes that enhance quality of life and independence.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Georgia Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)
Complete DBHDD Provider Enrollment and Credentialing Process
Obtain Behavioral Health/Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) Provider Certification through DBHDD if providing certain types of habilitation
Maintain general liability insurance
Develop policies and procedures consistent with Medicaid and DBHDD service standards

4. DBHDD/DCH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Submit a Letter of Intent to DBHDD Provider Enrollment
Complete a pre-qualification checklist, including business registration, insurance, and operational readiness

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, staff credentialing documentation, insurance policies, and detailed service descriptions
Provide participant intake forms, service delivery protocols, and incident management procedures

Program Readiness Review:

DBHDD conducts a pre-approval review of staffing, participant safety plans, emergency preparedness procedures, and training programs
Site visits and readiness inspections may be required for residential habilitation services

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

After DBHDD approval, finalize enrollment in the Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)
Configure billing codes for habilitation services under Georgia’s HCBS waivers

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Georgia Secretary of State)
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of liability and professional insurance
DBHDD Provider Certification (if applicable)
DBHDD/Medicaid-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake and assessment procedures
- Individualized service planning and goal tracking
- Documentation of service delivery and progress monitoring
- Emergency preparedness and participant safety procedures
- HIPAA confidentiality, client rights, and grievance policies
- Staff background screening, credentialing, and training logs
- Medicaid billing, authorization tracking, and documentation retention systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Habilitation Services Supervisor / Program Manager

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, education, or a related field preferred; experience in habilitation or developmental disabilities services; background screening clearance

Role: Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) / Habilitation Trainers

Requirements: High school diploma or GED required; CPR/First Aid certification recommended; background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

Person-centered planning and service delivery training
HIPAA confidentiality and participant rights training
Emergency response, incident reporting, and abuse prevention training
Annual continuing education on developmental disabilities support practices

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Georgia Medicaid Waivers authorize Habilitation Services:

Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP)
New Options Waiver Program (NOW)

Approved providers may deliver:

Community Living Support (CLS)
Community Access Individual (CAI) and Community Access Group (CAG) services
Prevocational Services (where authorized)
Behavior Support Services (if certified for behavior analysis)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Initial Credentialing Setup

Timeline: 2–3 weeks

Phase: DBHDD Pre-Qualification and Provider Approval Process

Timeline: 90–120 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Training Setup

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment through GAMMIS and Billing Configuration

Timeline: 45–60 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

Website: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/

Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)

Website: https://dch.georgia.gov/

Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS)

Website: https://www.mmis.georgia.gov/

HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN GEORGIA

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — GEORGIA HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG supports habilitation agencies, direct support organizations, and entrepreneurs in launching Medicaid-compliant Habilitation Services under Georgia’s Medicaid HCBS waiver programs.

Scope of Work: