HABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN OKLAHOMA

Fatumata Kaba
Sep 8
3 min read

BUILDING SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENCE, INCLUSION, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN HOME AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS

Habilitation Services in Oklahoma focus on helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) acquire, retain, and improve life skills necessary for independent or supported living. Unlike rehabilitation (which restores lost function), habilitation teaches skills individuals may not have yet developed due to disability. These services are offered under Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare) through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, including the Community Waiver, In-Home Supports Waiver (IHSW), and Living Choice Program.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA)

Role: Manages SoonerCare enrollment, billing, and reimbursement for habilitation services under HCBS waivers.

Agency: Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) – Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Role: Approves habilitation service providers, authorizes service plans, and monitors delivery standards.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)**

Role: Ensures habilitation services comply with federal HCBS standards, including person-centered care and community integration.

2. HABILITATION SERVICES OVERVIEW

Habilitation Services support individuals in acquiring essential life skills through structured, consistent teaching strategies. Services may occur at home, in the community, or at day programs.

Approved providers may deliver:

Daily Living Skills Training: Bathing, dressing, grooming, housekeeping, and meal preparation.
Social Skills & Communication Support: Engaging in conversations, managing emotions, building relationships.
Community Participation & Travel Training: Using public transport, accessing community events, or managing errands.
Money Management & Budgeting: Teaching the use of currency, debit cards, and basic financial literacy.
Health & Safety Education: Medication reminders, emergency response, hygiene routines.
Supervision & Support: Ensuring safety and guiding individuals through daily routines.
Behavioral Support Implementation: Delivering supports aligned with individualized behavior intervention plans (BIPs).
Documentation: Daily service logs, skill acquisition tracking, progress notes, and Medicaid billing records.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Obtain EIN and NPI (Type 2).
Apply through OKDHS DDS to become a certified habilitation provider.
Enroll as a Medicaid provider via OHCA’s SoonerCare Provider Portal.
Maintain general and professional liability insurance.
Develop a Habilitation Services Policy & Procedure Manual.
Ensure all staff meet background check, health screening, and DDS training requirements.

4. OKLAHOMA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Form your legal business entity and obtain appropriate licensing and insurance.

Step 2: Submit a provider application to OKDHS DDS, including staff credentials, service descriptions, and manuals.

Step 3: Enroll with OHCA as a SoonerCare provider for habilitation services.

Step 4: Complete staff training and readiness review.

Step 5: Begin receiving referrals and authorizations through DDS case managers.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
EIN and NPI documentation
General and professional liability insurance certificates
Habilitation Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Skill training protocols and curriculum outlines
- Participant rights and HIPAA compliance policies
- Incident reporting and supervision procedures
- Staff onboarding, training logs, and competency evaluations
- Emergency preparedness, safety drills, and abuse prevention training
- Medicaid billing templates, service logs, and outcome tracking

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Habilitation Training Specialist / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: High school diploma or GED; DDS training certification; background check; CPR/First Aid; experience with IDD preferred.

Role: Program Manager / Supervisor

Requirements: Oversight experience in HCBS or IDD services; responsible for service quality, documentation review, and staff coaching.

All staff must complete:

DDS core training curriculum (e.g., Foundations, Positive Behavior Support)
Person-centered planning and rights-based service training
Annual performance evaluations and continued education
Documentation, incident response, and emergency procedures training

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Habilitation Services are authorized under:

Community Waiver (DDS) – comprehensive supports including habilitation, day services, and residential care
In-Home Supports Waiver (IHSW – Adult & Child) – part-time supports in home and community
Living Choice Program – habilitation supports for individuals transitioning from institutional settings
Self-Directed Waiver Programs – habilitation delivered through participant-hired staff (with oversight)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Policy Manual Completion

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: DDS Certification Application & Staff Credentialing

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: OHCA Enrollment & Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Referral Network Development & Service Delivery

Timeline: Begins once participants are matched and service plans approved

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA)

Website: https://oklahoma.gov/ohca