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RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN TENNESSEE

  • Writer: Fatumata Kaba
    Fatumata Kaba
  • 4 days ago
  • 3 min read

OFFERING TEMPORARY, COMPASSIONATE RELIEF TO CAREGIVERS WHILE SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND MEDICAL NEEDS

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Respite Care Services in Tennessee provide short-term, substitute caregiving to individuals with disabilities or complex medical needs, allowing family caregivers to rest, attend to other responsibilities, or prevent burnout. These services are available under the Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES, 1915(c) Waivers, and certain State Plan Medicaid programs, supporting both in-home and facility-based care.

 

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Tennessee Division of TennCare

Role: Administers Medicaid waivers including ECF CHOICES and oversees respite care as a reimbursable service.

Agency: Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)

Role: Certifies and monitors providers offering respite to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

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

Role: Regulates federal standards for HCBS waiver services including temporary care and caregiver relief models.

 

2. RESPITE CARE SERVICES OVERVIEW

Respite Care offers temporary relief to primary caregivers by providing direct care to individuals in their home, in a licensed facility, or at a provider-operated location.

Covered services include:

  • In-Home Respite: Provided in the individual’s home by trained staff

  • Out-of-Home Respite: Delivered in licensed homes or facilities

  • Emergency Respite: For unexpected caregiver emergencies or crises

  • Planned Respite: Scheduled in advance to support family well-being

  • Supervision & Personal Assistance: Help with bathing, toileting, meals, and mobility

  • Documentation & Reporting: Shift logs, incident reports, and health monitoring

 

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

  • Register business with the Tennessee Secretary of State

  • Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI

  • Apply through TennCare and DIDD to provide Respite Care under HCBS waivers

  • If offering out-of-home respite, acquire a DIDD residential license

  • Comply with safety, training, and staff ratio requirements

  • Develop a Respite Care Services Policy & Procedure Manual

 

4. TENNESSEE PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Register business and obtain EIN/NPI

Step 2: Apply to become a Respite Care provider via TennCare or DIDD, depending on the waiver

Step 3: Submit staff qualifications, training records, and policies

Step 4: If out-of-home care, complete licensing of the facility or group setting

Step 5: Pass compliance checks and begin receiving referrals through the participant’s care team

 

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

  • Articles of Incorporation, EIN, NPI

  • Proof of insurance (liability, workers’ comp)

  • Staff background checks and training certifications

  • Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual including:

    • Intake and caregiver relief scheduling process

    • Emergency response and crisis support protocols

    • Participant supervision logs and health monitoring

    • Medication assistance (if applicable)

    • Abuse prevention, HIPAA compliance, and participant rights documentation

    • Billing templates for waiver reimbursement

 

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Respite Care Worker / Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Requirements: High school diploma/GED, CPR/First Aid, abuse prevention training, clean background

Role: Program Supervisor / Respite Coordinator

Requirements: Experience in disability support or healthcare coordination

All staff must complete:

  • Person-centered planning and ISP training

  • HIPAA and privacy standards

  • Documentation and billing procedures

  • Emergency and safety protocol drills

  • HCBS compliance education (via DIDD or TennCare)

 

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Respite services are available through:

  • ECF CHOICES – For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

  • 1915(c) Waivers – For children and adults with I/DD and other support needs

  • State Plan EPSDT (for children under 21) – May include medically necessary respite when ordered by a physician

  • Tennessee Family Support Program – Non-Medicaid-funded respite for individuals with developmental disabilities (via DIDD)

 

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Licensing

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: TennCare/DIDD Enrollment & Documentation Submission

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Recruitment & HCBS Training

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Begin Respite Care Delivery

Timeline: Upon provider approval and service authorization

 

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid Program)

Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

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RESPITE CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN TENNESSEE

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

WCG supports professionals, DSP agencies, and family-focused organizations in launching or expanding high-quality respite services across Tennessee's Medicaid waiver ecosystem.

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Scope of Work:

  • TennCare and DIDD enrollment for Respite Services

  • Policy & Procedure Manual tailored for in-home or out-of-home respite

  • Staff orientation forms, checklists, and compliance logs

  • Shift documentation, incident reports, and scheduling templates

  • HCBS Final Settings Rule guidance for residential respite

  • Family engagement tools and participant safety plans




Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements. 



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