New Jersey - Case Management Service — Licensing, Medicaid Enrollment and Startup Requirements
Last reviewed: 2026-09-10
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) funds case management under the title Support Coordination through its Supports Program and Community Care Program waivers. Agencies seeking to provide this service must navigate the DDD Combined Application process and adhere strictly to the state's Conflict-Free Policy, which prohibits an agency from providing both Support Coordination and direct waiver services to the same individual.
Approval requires securing a Medicaid National Provider Identifier (NPI), completing mandatory orientation, and submitting the application through the Fee-for-Service Provider Portal managed by the state's fiscal intermediary. Providers must maintain specific staffing ratios and ensure all Support Coordinators complete the state-mandated training curriculum through the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities before billing.
1. Service Definition and Scope
In New Jersey, Support Coordination encompasses assessment, person-centered service planning, referral, and monitoring across the participant's full service package. Support Coordinators are responsible for developing the Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and ensuring services meet the participant's health and safety needs.
- Service Name: Support Coordination
- Target Population: Individuals enrolled in the DDD Supports Program or Community Care Program
- Core Function: Development and monitoring of the Person-Centered Planning (PCP) process and ISP
- Exclusion: Cannot provide direct medical or related services unless billed separately under a different authority
2. Regulatory and Oversight Agencies
Multiple divisions within the New Jersey Department of Human Services oversee this service, managing everything from policy creation to claims processing.
- Operating Agency: NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) (https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/)
- Medicaid Authority: NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) (https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/)
- Fiscal Intermediary/Portal: NJMMIS (https://www.njmmis.com)
- Training Partner: The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities (https://boggscenter.rwjms.rutgers.edu/)
3. Gatekeeping Prerequisites: Who Can Even Apply
New Jersey enforces strict structural preconditions for Support Coordination agencies before an application is reviewed. The state requires adherence to conflict-free mandates and specific business entity registrations.
- Conflict-Free Policy: Agencies cannot provide both Support Coordination and direct waiver services to the same individual
- Business Registration: Must possess a valid New Jersey Business Registration Certificate
- NPI Requirement: Must obtain a Type 2 National Provider Identifier (NPI) prior to application
- Medicaid Exclusion Check: Principals and agency cannot be on the federal or state Medicaid exclusion lists
4. Licensure and Certification Requirements
Support Coordination is not a separately licensed facility type in New Jersey; instead, it requires DDD agency approval through the Combined Application process. Providers must meet the qualifications outlined in the DDD policy manuals.
- Approval Mechanism: DDD Combined Application
- Policy Manual: Must adhere to the Supports Program and Community Care Program Policy and Procedures Manuals
- Attestation: Must sign and submit the Support Coordination Agency Attestation
- Physical Location: Must maintain a secure, HIPAA-compliant office space accessible to state auditors
5. Medicaid Provider Enrollment
Enrollment is processed through the NJMMIS portal using the Combined Application, which routes the provider agreement to the state's fiscal intermediary.
- Portal: NJMMIS Provider Enrollment Application
- Application Type: Combined Application for Medicaid and DDD approval
- Submission Method: Mailed to the Provider Enrollment Unit in Trenton, NJ
- Required Form: Statement of Intent detailing services and counties served
6. Staffing, Training and Background Checks
Staff must meet specific educational and training benchmarks. New Jersey mandates that all Support Coordinators complete a standardized training curriculum before they can carry a caseload.
- Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field
- Mandatory Training: Boggs Center Support Coordination training modules
- Background Check: Fingerprint-based criminal history background check (CHRI)
- Registry Check: Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities check
7. Documentation, Policies and Records
Agencies must maintain comprehensive records in the state's electronic system and develop internal policies that align with HCBS Settings Rules.
- Electronic Record: Mandatory use of the state's designated IT system for ISP development
- Policy Requirement: Written policies on conflict of interest and grievance procedures
- Incident Reporting: Must comply with DDD's critical incident reporting protocols
- Record Retention: Records must be maintained for a minimum of seven years
8. Billing, Rates and Claims
Services are billed fee-for-service through NJMMIS. Rates are established by DDD and DMAHS and are typically billed in monthly or 15-minute increments depending on the specific waiver definition.
- Billing System: NJMMIS portal
- Rate Structure: Fixed fee-for-service rates published in the DDD rate schedule
- Claim Requirement: Must have an approved ISP in the system prior to billing
- Payer of Last Resort: Medicaid is billed only after exhausting other applicable benefits
9. Approval Sequence and Timeline
The approval process follows a sequential path from obtaining an NPI to final DDD approval and NJMMIS activation. The timeline varies based on application completeness.
- Step 1: Obtain NPI and register business in NJ
- Step 2: Submit Combined Application via NJMMIS
- Step 3: Complete Boggs Center training for initial staff
- Timeline: Typically 3 to 6 months from application submission to active billing status
10. Common Denials and Survey Findings
Applications and ongoing compliance often fail due to specific documentation gaps or failure to maintain conflict-free boundaries.
- Application Denial: Missing signatures on the Support Coordination Attestation
- Enrollment Delay: Discrepancies between NPI registry data and NJMMIS application
- Audit Finding: Failure to complete monthly monitoring contacts as required by the ISP
- Compliance Issue: Staff providing services before completing the mandatory Boggs Center training
11. Key Contacts and Resources
Essential contacts for prospective Support Coordination agencies include the state divisions and the fiscal intermediary handling enrollment.
- DDD Provider Helpdesk: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/providers/helpdesk/
- NJMMIS Provider Enrollment: https://www.njmmis.com
- Boggs Center Training: https://boggscenter.rwjms.rutgers.edu/
- DDD Policy Manuals: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/rules/policy-manuals/
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