Before Starting an Application

There were many things I wish I knew before getting certified to become a provider. Lately, it has been taking months for provider applications to be approved. You want to have everything you need in place before starting the application process. Most of my knowledge comes from the Department of Developmental Disabilities website, dodd.ohio.gov. As a direct service provider, I care for clients on Medicaid waivers. It is important to understand the different kinds of waivers and services, because you will need to choose specific services on your application. Certain services have specific requirements and you want to apply for the correct ones. For example, I provide Homemaker/personal care, HPC, for one of my clients, but I provide residential respite, RR, for another. These services are particular for each individual and are outlined in the ISP, individualized service plan. Many things I will mention are in the annual training that providers have to complete, this is also a requirement to apply. https://mylearning.dodd.ohio.gov/ is the website for our training. I have taken many of these free courses, but start with Training for New Independent Providers, unless you want to work for an agency, then you choose the Training for New Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). As an independent provider, you are responsible for your own billing. This includes tracking hours and converting them into units to be billed and processed for payment. You do have an option to have a billing agent, costs incur. CPR certification is also a requirement to be a provider. It is important to get the correct certification for your application. Pediatric and adult CPR and first aid certification is good for 2 years and we are required to maintain it. This is an out-of-pocket expense, I have used The Red Cross and Nation’s Best CPR and I was able to book the class online. Check out the website below for a complete list of requirements needed to apply.

https://dodd.ohio.gov/providers/initial-renewal-certification/1become-an-independent-provider