Georgia - Meal Delivery Service — Licensing, Medicaid Enrollment and Startup Requirements

Last reviewed: 2026-09-09

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS) and the Department of Community Health (DCH) approve Home-Delivered Meals providers to serve participants in the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP), which encompasses the Community Care Services Program (CCSP) and Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE). Providers deliver nutritionally balanced meals to waiver participants who are physically or cognitively unable to prepare their own food and lack another caregiver to do so.

Applicants must possess a current Georgia Department of Public Health food service permit and demonstrate a minimum of 12 consecutive months of operating history in meal delivery before DAS will issue the required invitation to the mandatory CCSP Provider Pre-Enrollment Training. Only after completing this invitation-only training can an agency submit the dual enrollment applications to DAS and the DCH Medicaid portal.

1. Service Definition and Scope

Home-Delivered Meals in Georgia provide prepared food to EDWP waiver participants to maintain their nutritional health and support independent living. The service is authorized by a care coordinator based on a comprehensive assessment of the participant's nutritional risk and physical limitations.

Meals may be delivered hot, cold, frozen, or shelf-stable, depending on the participant's location, storage capacity, and the provider's approved delivery model. All meals must meet specific dietary guidelines established by the state.

• Nutritional Standard: Each meal must provide a minimum of one-third of the current Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) established by the Food and Nutrition Board.
• Menu Approval: All menus must be reviewed and approved by a Registered Dietitian (RD) licensed in Georgia prior to serving.
• Delivery Frequency: Providers typically deliver meals daily, or drop off multiple frozen/shelf-stable meals once or twice a week depending on the care plan.
• Therapeutic Diets: Providers may offer specialized diets (e.g., diabetic, low-sodium) if ordered by a physician and approved by the RD.
• Participant Eligibility: Limited to individuals unable to prepare meals and lacking a caregiver to prepare meals for them.

2. Regulatory and Oversight Agencies

The Department of Community Health (DCH) serves as the single state Medicaid agency, managing provider enrollment and claims payment. The Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS) operates the CCSP waiver on behalf of DCH and conducts the programmatic approval and monitoring of meal providers.

Because Georgia does not issue a specific "Home-Delivered Meals License" through its Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, the primary facility oversight falls to the Department of Public Health (DPH) Environmental Health Section, which regulates the commercial kitchens where food is prepared.

• Department of Community Health (DCH): Manages Medicaid enrollment and waiver funding (https://dch.georgia.gov).
• DHS Division of Aging Services (DAS): Administers CCSP, conducts provider training, and approves programmatic enrollment (https://aging.georgia.gov).
• Department of Public Health (DPH): Issues Food Service Permits and conducts kitchen health inspections (https://dph.georgia.gov).
• Georgia Medicaid Management Information System (GAMMIS): The portal for provider enrollment and claims submission (https://www.mmis.georgia.gov).

3. Gatekeeping Prerequisites: Who Can Even Apply

Georgia imposes strict operational prerequisites before a provider can even access the Medicaid enrollment application for CCSP Home-Delivered Meals. The state requires proven experience in the exact service category to ensure reliability for vulnerable waiver participants.

Providers cannot simply apply online; they must be invited to a mandatory training session by DAS. This invitation is contingent upon proving the agency's existing operational history and legal standing.

• Operating History Requirement: The provider must have been in business delivering meals for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to making an application.
• Mandatory Training Invitation: Participation in the CCSP Provider Pre-Enrollment and New Provider Training is by DAS CCSP invitation only.
• Business Location: The agency must maintain a business premises in Georgia (or an approved border state area) appropriate to conduct CCSP business.
• Legal Authorization: The provider must hold a current local business license or other proof of legal authorization to operate in their jurisdiction.

4. Licensure and Certification Requirements

Georgia does not require a distinct state license for meal delivery agencies under the DCH Healthcare Facility Regulation Division. Instead, the facility where meals are prepared must hold a valid Food Service Permit.

If a provider uses a subcontracted commercial kitchen or purchases pre-packaged meals from a manufacturer, they must provide documentation that the source facility holds all appropriate state and federal (USDA/FDA) food safety permits.

• Food Service Permit: Required from the county Board of Health/DPH for any facility preparing food.
• Commercial Kitchen: Meals cannot be prepared in a private residential kitchen; a certified commercial kitchen is mandatory.
• Fire Safety Approval: The preparation facility must have a current fire safety inspection certificate from the local fire marshal.
• Out-of-State Providers: Must submit equivalent food service and health department permits from their home state.

5. Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Enrolling as a Home-Delivered Meals provider requires a dual-approval process. The applicant must submit the DCH Medicaid Provider Enrollment Application via GAMMIS and a separate CCSP Medicaid Provider Enrollment Application directly to DAS.

Both agencies must approve the application before a Medicaid provider number is issued. The process includes paying the federal application fee and undergoing a site visit.

• Enrollment Portal: Applications are initiated through the GAMMIS provider enrollment portal (https://www.mmis.georgia.gov).
• Application Fee: Providers must pay the CMS-mandated Medicaid application fee (adjusted annually) unless they provide proof of payment to Medicare or another state's Medicaid program.
• Dual Submission: The completed DCH application and the CCSP-specific application must be mailed/submitted to CCSP for concurrent review.
• Site Visit: A satisfactory site visit by DAS or DCH representatives is required prior to final approval.

6. Staffing, Training and Background Checks

Staffing requirements focus on food safety during preparation and the safety of participants during delivery. All personnel interacting with waiver participants or handling food must meet specific screening criteria.

Delivery drivers serve as a critical point of contact and must be trained to observe and report changes in a participant's condition or environment.

• Food Safety Manager: The preparation facility must have at least one certified Food Safety Manager on staff.
• Background Checks: All staff with direct participant contact must undergo criminal background checks via the Georgia Criminal History Check System (GCHEXS).
• Driver Qualifications: Delivery personnel must possess a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and appropriate vehicle insurance.
• Mandated Reporting: All staff must complete training on recognizing and reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults.

7. Documentation, Policies and Records

Providers must maintain rigorous documentation to prove that meals were prepared safely, held at appropriate temperatures, and delivered to the correct participant. Missing documentation directly leads to claim recoupments.

Records must be retained in accordance with DCH policies and made available for state audits upon request.

• Temperature Logs: Daily logs documenting food temperatures during preparation, packaging, and at the point of delivery.
• Delivery Rosters: Signed or electronically verified delivery logs confirming the participant received the meal.
• Menu Records: Copies of all RD-approved menus and nutritional analyses kept on file.
• Record Retention: All service and billing records must be retained for a minimum of five years from the date of service.

8. Billing, Rates and Claims

Home-Delivered Meals are billed to Georgia Medicaid through the GAMMIS system using specific HCPCS codes. Reimbursement is based on a per-meal unit rate established by DCH.

Providers can only bill for meals that are actually delivered to the participant. Meals that are undeliverable due to the participant's absence cannot be billed to Medicaid.

• Billing System: Claims are submitted electronically via GAMMIS (https://www.mmis.georgia.gov).
• Prior Authorization: All meals must be prior-authorized by the participant's care coordinator before delivery and billing.
• Unit of Service: One unit equals one complete meal delivered to the participant.
• Rate Publication: Current reimbursement rates are published in the DCH Provider Fee Schedules available on the GAMMIS portal.

9. Approval Sequence and Timeline

The approval process is lengthy due to the 12-month operating history prerequisite and the scheduled nature of the mandatory training. Providers should plan for a multi-month process after meeting the initial gate.

Once the training is completed and applications are submitted, the state review and site visit add several more weeks to the timeline.

• Step 1: Operate a meal delivery service for 12 consecutive months to meet the history requirement.
• Step 2: Submit the CCSP Provider Pre-Enrollment Registration Form to DAS to request a training invitation.
• Step 3: Attend the mandatory CCSP Provider Pre-Enrollment Training (historically held in February and August).
• Step 4: Submit dual applications to GAMMIS and DAS, followed by a state site visit (typically 60-90 days for processing).

10. Common Denials and Survey Findings

Applications are most frequently denied because the provider fails to meet the 12-month operating history requirement or attempts to apply without attending the mandatory DAS training.

During audits, providers often face recoupments for failing to maintain continuous temperature logs or delivering meals without a current prior authorization.

• Premature Application: Denials for submitting an application without the required 12 months of prior business operation.
• Missing Temp Logs: Recoupments during audits due to missing or incomplete food temperature logs at the point of delivery.
• Unapproved Menus: Citations for serving meals that deviate from the RD-approved menu without documented authorization.
• Billing for Missed Deliveries: Recoupments for billing Medicaid when a participant was not home to receive the meal.

11. Key Contacts and Resources

Providers must utilize the official state portals and manuals for the most current regulations, rates, and training schedules. The CCSP General Services Manual is the primary rulebook.

Direct communication regarding waiver enrollment should be routed through the DHS Division of Aging Services.

• GAMMIS Portal: For provider manuals, fee schedules, and enrollment (https://www.mmis.georgia.gov).
• DHS Division of Aging Services: Manages CCSP training and programmatic approval (https://aging.georgia.gov).
• Department of Community Health: Oversees Medicaid policy and final provider enrollment (https://dch.georgia.gov).
• Department of Public Health: For food service permitting and environmental health regulations (https://dph.georgia.gov).

See all Georgia services · Georgia Medicaid consulting · book a consultation.