RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN LOUISIANA

Fatumata Kaba
Aug 12
3 min read

PROVIDING TEMPORARY RELIEF FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS WHILE ENSURING SAFE, COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OR COMPLEX NEEDS

Respite Care Services in Louisiana offer short-term, substitute care for individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or age-related limitations, giving unpaid caregivers a break while ensuring the individual continues to receive needed support. Respite services are authorized under several Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, and may occur in-home, at licensed facilities, or in community settings.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) & Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)

Role: Regulates respite services under HCBS waivers and monitors provider quality and licensure

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight for 1915(c) waiver-funded respite programs

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

Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment and claims reimbursement

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under Bayou Health

Role: May authorize or coordinate respite services in some waiver programs

2. RESPITE CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Respite care gives family caregivers scheduled or emergency breaks by having trained providers step in to support the individual’s daily needs and well-being.

Approved services may include:

In-home respite: temporary caregiving within the participant’s home
Out-of-home respite: care in a licensed residential or day facility
Planned or emergency coverage (e.g., medical appointments, travel, caregiver illness)
Overnight or weekend respite (as authorized)
Behavioral support and ADL/IADL assistance during the respite period

Respite services must be documented in the participant’s Plan of Care (POC) and align with individual needs and safety considerations.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State
Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
Apply for respite service provider enrollment via the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Obtain OCDD or OAAS licensure if operating a facility-based respite program
Maintain general liability and workers’ compensation insurance
Hire qualified respite workers or direct support staff
Develop a Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual
Ensure HIPAA-compliant documentation and emergency protocols

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Option A: In-Home Respite Provider

Enroll as a waiver respite provider at https://www.lamedicaid.com
Submit staff qualifications, policies, and service plans to LDH
Coordinate with waiver support coordinators for referrals

Option B: Facility-Based Respite Provider

Apply for appropriate LDH residential or day service licensure
Ensure facility meets life safety, ADA, and programmatic standards
Enroll as a Medicaid provider and coordinate with OCDD or OAAS

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or sole proprietor filing
IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
Proof of insurance coverage
Licensure (if providing facility-based care)
Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Client intake and scheduling templates
- Daily activity logs and shift documentation forms
- Medication administration protocols (if applicable)
- Emergency and incident response procedures
- Participant rights and consent forms
- Abuse prevention, training logs, and supervision checklists
- Billing logs and audit-ready documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Respite Worker / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; experience with caregiving or disability support; CPR/First Aid training; background check clearance

Role: Program Supervisor / Scheduler (for agencies)

Requirements: Experience in service coordination and personnel management; ensures scheduling, documentation, and care quality

Training Requirements for All Staff:

HIPAA and participant confidentiality
Abuse and neglect prevention (mandatory reporter training)
Basic ADL/IADL support techniques
Emergency procedures and infection control
Person-centered care and documentation practices

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Respite Care is reimbursed under:

Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
Supports Waiver
Children’s Choice Waiver
Community Choices Waiver (limited support for aging adults)
Money Follows the Person (MFP) — transition support for caregivers post-institutional discharge

Approved providers may deliver:

Flexible short-term care hours based on caregiver needs
Daily, hourly, or overnight billing (based on waiver authorizations)
In-home or licensed setting-based coverage
Coordination with waiver support coordinators and service teams

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Staff Hiring

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Policy Manual Development

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Credentialing and Licensing (if facility-based)

Timeline: 1 month

Phase: Referral Coordination and Service Delivery

Timeline: Ongoing, based on waiver caseloads and caregiver demand

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal

Website: https://www.lamedicaid.com

Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/121

Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)

Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/119

LDH Health Standards Section (for facility licensure)

Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/282

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

WCG supports caregiver agencies, community organizations, and independent providers in launching licensed, Medicaid-approved Respite Care programs across Louisiana.

Scope of Work: