RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN GEORGIA

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 14
4 min read

PROVIDING TEMPORARY RELIEF FOR PRIMARY CAREGIVERS WHILE ENSURING CONTINUITY OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND HEALTH NEEDS

Respite Care Services in Georgia offer short-term, temporary care and supervision for individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or age-related conditions. These services are authorized under Georgia’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs, providing essential relief to family caregivers while ensuring individuals continue to receive safe, person-centered support.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

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

Role: Administers Respite Services for individuals with developmental disabilities through the NOW and COMP waivers

Agency: Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH)

Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment, service authorization, and reimbursement for Respite Care Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring Respite Services meet Medicaid HCBS standards

2. RESPITE CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Respite Care Services provide substitute care and supervision for a participant on a short-term basis to relieve the usual caregiver.

Approved providers may deliver:

In-home respite (participant’s residence)
Out-of-home respite (in a licensed facility, community setting, or provider’s home where permitted)
Daytime or overnight supervision and personal care
Emergency respite during caregiver crises
Scheduled respite based on the family’s planned needs

Support may include assistance with:

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
Mobility assistance and medication reminders (non-skilled nursing)
Meal preparation and feeding assistance
Recreational, social, or community activities
Health and safety monitoring

All services must follow the participant’s Individual Service Plan (ISP) and cannot duplicate services being provided simultaneously under other authorized programs.

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 for Respite Services
Maintain general liability and professional liability insurance
If providing facility-based respite, meet DBHDD or DCH facility licensing requirements
Develop comprehensive policies for caregiver relief, participant health and safety, and emergency response

4. DBHDD/DCH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Submit a Letter of Intent to DBHDD to offer Respite Services
Complete pre-qualification checklist including business registration, staff qualifications, and insurance documentation

Application and Documentation Submission:

Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, policies and procedures for respite care, staff credentialing documents, and participant intake forms
Provide emergency protocols, scheduling templates, and service tracking systems

Program Readiness Review:

DBHDD reviews provider readiness to deliver Respite Services, including participant safety protocols, staff training, and documentation systems

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon DBHDD approval, complete Medicaid enrollment through GAMMIS
Configure billing codes for Respite Services (hourly, daily, or session-based depending on the model)

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Georgia Secretary of State)
IRS EIN confirmation
NPI confirmation
Proof of general and professional liability insurance
DBHDD-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Participant intake, service authorization, and emergency contact protocols
- Service delivery, health monitoring, and personal care assistance procedures
- Documentation systems for scheduling, daily notes, and incident tracking
- Emergency response plans and after-hours support systems
- Client rights, HIPAA confidentiality, and grievance resolution policies
- Staff background screening, credentialing, and training documentation
- Medicaid billing, service authorization tracking, and audit readiness systems

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Respite Services Manager / Program Coordinator

Requirements: Experience managing personal care or community support services preferred; background screening clearance

Role: Respite Caregivers / Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)

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

All staff must complete:

Person-centered care, participant rights, and HIPAA confidentiality training
Emergency response, first aid, and abuse prevention training
Service documentation and incident reporting training
Annual refresher training on Medicaid compliance and participant safety

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

The following Georgia Medicaid Waivers authorize Respite Care Services:

Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP)
New Options Waiver Program (NOW)
Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) (for aging populations needing caregiver relief)

Approved providers may deliver:

Scheduled in-home or facility-based respite care
Emergency respite based on critical caregiver needs
Overnight or daytime care with health and safety monitoring

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Initial Setup

Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase: DBHDD Provider Application and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Service Documentation Setup

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment 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/

RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN GEORGIA

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

WCG supports respite providers, personal care agencies, and direct support organizations in launching Medicaid-compliant Respite Care Services under Georgia’s HCBS waiver programs.

Scope of Work: