NURSING FACILITY TRANSITION SERVICES PROVIDER IN ARKANSAS

Fatumata Kaba
3 days ago
3 min read

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS AS THEY MOVE FROM NURSING FACILITIES BACK INTO COMMUNITY LIVING THROUGH COORDINATED, PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING

Nursing Facility Transition Services in Arkansas help eligible individuals safely transition from institutional nursing facilities to home and community-based settings. These services are authorized under the Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver and are part of Arkansas’s ongoing commitment to the “Money Follows the Person” initiative and federal Olmstead compliance.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Role: Authorizes and monitors Nursing Facility Transition Services through the CES Waiver and assigns case coordination

Agency: Arkansas Medicaid / Division of Medical Services (DMS)

Role: Oversees Medicaid reimbursement for transition-related services and supports

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures that institutional transitions align with HCBS Final Rule requirements

2. TRANSITION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Nursing Facility Transition Services support individuals who are ready to leave a nursing facility and move into a more independent setting. These services assist with identifying housing, securing essential household items, coordinating care, and ensuring a smooth reintegration into the community.

Approved providers may deliver:

Transition planning and readiness assessments
Home setup and purchase of essential furnishings
Payment of utility deposits and household items
Service coordination and care team alignment
Transportation and move-in assistance
Follow-up monitoring and documentation of outcomes

All services must align with the individual’s approved ISP and be pre-authorized by DDS.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Arkansas Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Submit CES Waiver Provider Application to DDS
Enroll as a Medicaid provider via the Arkansas Medicaid Portal
Maintain liability insurance and secure documentation systems
Hire staff with experience in housing support, case coordination, or long-term care transitions

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment

Apply via the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
Select Nursing Facility Transition Services under CES Waiver provider types
Submit NPI, W-9, and EFT information

Step 2: DDS CES Waiver Provider Application

Submit service delivery procedures, sample transition plans, and financial tracking tools
Include policies for pre-approval of purchases, documentation of expenditures, and consumer consent

Step 3: Approval and Referral Coordination

Once approved, begin receiving referrals through DDS for individuals seeking to transition from institutional care

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Medicaid and CES Waiver provider approval
Policy & procedure manual including:
- Transition planning templates and documentation checklists
- Housing navigation protocols
- Financial tracking and purchase verification logs
- Pre- and post-transition service coordination plans
- Emergency planning and incident reporting procedures
- Consent forms and participant rights documentation
- Staff training and supervision logs
- Quality assurance measures and post-transition outcome tracking

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Transition Coordinator / Program Supervisor

Requirements: Experience in case management, housing coordination, or HCBS waiver services

Role: Direct Support Staff / Logistics Coordinator

Requirements:

High school diploma or GED
Background check and registry clearance
Knowledge of household setup, transportation, and documentation

Training Requirements for All Staff:

Person-centered planning and transition protocols
Financial accountability and procurement procedures
Confidentiality, HIPAA, and ethics
Emergency planning and relocation safety
Annual refreshers in documentation and Medicaid compliance

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Nursing Facility Transition Services are authorized under:

Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver
ARChoices in Homecare Waiver (for non-DD populations)
Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program

Approved providers may deliver:

Housing navigation and transition readiness assessments
Purchase and setup of basic household items
Care team coordination and community service referrals
Documentation of service delivery, purchases, and outcomes

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & CES Waiver Application

Timeline: 45–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring and Service Planning

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Referral Activation and Transition Support

Timeline: 2–4 weeks

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS)

Phone: (501) 683-5687

Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dms/dds

Arkansas Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://portal.mmis.arkansas.gov

Arkansas Department of Human Services – Money Follows the Person Program

Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dms/mfp

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ARKANSAS NURSING FACILITY TRANSITION SERVICES PROVIDER

We help organizations launch person-centered, Medicaid-compliant transition services to support individuals moving from nursing facilities into the community.

Scope of Work: