Arkansas - Integrated Employment — Licensing, Medicaid Enrollment and Startup Requirements

Last reviewed: 2026-09-09

The Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) funds job development and coaching through the Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver under the service name Supported Employment. Prospective agencies must first obtain programmatic certification from DDS Quality Assurance before submitting a Medicaid enrollment application to the Division of Medical Services (DMS).

Approval requires demonstrating compliance with DDS certification standards, including specific staff training in employment support and passing state maltreatment registry checks. DDS maintains continuous open enrollment for CES waiver providers, meaning applications are accepted year-round without a competitive procurement or Certificate of Need requirement.

1. Service Definition and Scope

Supported Employment under the Arkansas CES Waiver provides individualized assistance to help beneficiaries with developmental disabilities secure and maintain competitive, integrated employment at or above minimum wage. The service encompasses job development, job placement, and ongoing on-site job coaching.

Services must be delivered in integrated community settings and cannot be provided in sheltered workshops or facility-based day programs.

• Service Name: Supported Employment
• Funding Authority: DDS Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver
• Target Population: Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities meeting ICF/IID level of care
• Covered Activities: Job discovery, job development, placement, and on-site coaching

2. Regulatory and Oversight Agencies

Multiple divisions within the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) oversee Supported Employment providers. DDS handles programmatic certification and quality assurance, while the Division of Medical Services (DMS) manages Medicaid enrollment and claims processing.

• Programmatic Certifier: Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) (https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dds/)
• Medicaid Authority: Arkansas Division of Medical Services (DMS) (https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dms/)
• Enrollment Contractor: Gainwell Technologies / Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal (https://medicaid.mmis.arkansas.gov/)
• Background Check Authority: Arkansas State Police (https://www.dps.arkansas.gov/law-enforcement/arkansas-state-police/)

3. Gatekeeping Prerequisites: Who Can Even Apply

Arkansas does not impose a Certificate of Need, closed network, or competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process for CES Waiver Supported Employment providers. The state maintains continuous open enrollment for all willing and qualified providers.

Applicants must complete corporate registration and obtain an NPI before applying for DDS certification.

• Network Status: Continuous open enrollment with no moratoria
• Designation Requirement: None required prior to DDS certification
• Certificate of Need: Not applicable for CES Waiver Supported Employment
• Corporate Registration: Must be registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State

4. Licensure and Certification Requirements

Providers must obtain programmatic certification from DDS Quality Assurance before enrolling in Medicaid. This involves submitting policies, procedures, and proof of staff qualifications to demonstrate compliance with CES Waiver standards.

• Certifying Body: DDS Quality Assurance Unit
• Initial Step: Contact DDS Quality Assurance staff for CES certification standards
• Required Documentation: Agency policies, procedures, and organizational chart
• Review Process: Desk review of submitted materials followed by potential on-site review

5. Medicaid Provider Enrollment

After receiving DDS certification, agencies must enroll as Arkansas Medicaid providers through the DMS Provider Enrollment Unit. Applications are submitted electronically via the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal.

• Application Form: Form DMS-652 (Provider Application)
• Contract Form: Form DMS-653 (Medicaid Contract)
• Tax Form: W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number
• Required Attachment: Current DDS Certification letter

6. Staffing, Training and Background Checks

Direct support professionals providing Supported Employment must meet specific training and background check requirements. Agencies are responsible for ensuring all staff pass state and federal background screenings before providing services.

• Criminal Background: Arkansas State Police criminal record check required
• Registry Checks: Arkansas Child Maltreatment and Adult Maltreatment Central Registries
• Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or GED for direct care staff
• Training Requirement: Specific training in Supported Employment principles and job coaching techniques

7. Documentation, Policies and Records

Providers must maintain comprehensive records for each beneficiary, including a Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) developed by a multi-agency team. Documentation must clearly link the services provided to the goals outlined in the PCSP.

• Core Document: Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP)
• Service Notes: Must include date, start/stop times, specific activities, and staff signature
• Record Retention: Minimum of five years from the date of service
• Quality Assurance: Subject to announced and unannounced quarterly on-site reviews by DDS

8. Billing, Rates and Claims

Supported Employment services are billed to Arkansas Medicaid using specific procedure codes outlined in the CES Waiver Provider Manual. Claims are submitted electronically through the MMIS portal.

• Billing System: Arkansas Medicaid MMIS (Gainwell Technologies)
• Claim Format: CMS-1500 or electronic equivalent (837P)
• Prior Authorization: Required for all CES Waiver services based on the approved PCSP
• Reimbursement: Fee-for-service based on the published Arkansas Medicaid fee schedule

9. Approval Sequence and Timeline

The approval process is sequential, starting with corporate registration and ending with Medicaid enrollment. The entire process typically takes several months, depending on the completeness of the application and DDS review times.

• Step 1: Register business with Arkansas Secretary of State and obtain NPI/EIN
• Step 2: Submit certification application to DDS Quality Assurance
• Step 3: Receive DDS programmatic certification
• Step 4: Submit Medicaid enrollment package (DMS-652/653) to DMS

10. Common Denials and Survey Findings

Applications and claims are frequently delayed or denied due to incomplete documentation or failure to meet specific DDS standards. Ongoing compliance is monitored through DDS quality assurance reviews.

• Enrollment Denial: Failure to include current DDS certification with Medicaid application
• Claim Denial: Billing for services not included in the approved PCSP
• Survey Finding: Incomplete or missing staff background checks
• Survey Finding: Service notes lacking required start/stop times or staff signatures

11. Key Contacts and Resources

Prospective providers should utilize the official resources provided by the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The Medicaid Provider Portal and DDS website are the primary sources for manuals, forms, and updates.

• DDS Quality Assurance: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dds/
• Medicaid Provider Enrollment: https://medicaid.mmis.arkansas.gov/Provider/Enroll/Enroll.aspx
• CES Waiver Provider Manual: https://medicaid.mmis.arkansas.gov/Provider/Docs/Docs.aspx
• Arkansas Secretary of State: https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/

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