Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) Services in Louisiana enable Medicaid waiver participants—especially seniors and individuals with disabilities—to remain safely at home by offering 24/7 access to emergency assistance. These services support independence while ensuring timely intervention in the event of falls, medical incidents, or safety concerns.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)
Role: Oversees service delivery standards and provider participation under applicable Medicaid waivers

Agency: Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) / Molina Medicaid Solutions
Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment, service claims, and payment processing

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Ensures PERS services comply with federal HCBS regulations

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) (for participants under Bayou Health)
Role: Authorizes PERS units under the participant’s Plan of Care (POC), coordinates service approval, and manages reimbursement

2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) are electronic monitoring devices that allow participants to summon help in emergencies with the push of a button 24 hours a day.

Covered PERS services may include:

• Installation of basic landline or cellular PERS devices
• Provision of fall detection features or wearable pendants/wristbands
• 24/7 monitoring and emergency response dispatch
• Maintenance, testing, and replacement of faulty devices
• Training for participants and caregivers on device use
• Optional GPS-enabled or mobile PERS for participants who are active in the community

All services must be medically necessary, authorized in the Plan of Care, and approved by the case manager or MCO before installation.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State
• Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
• Enroll through the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal as a PERS provider
• Maintain general liability and product insurance
• Use UL-listed or equivalent certified emergency response devices
• Partner with a 24/7 monitoring center that complies with HIPAA and CMS standards
• Develop a PERS Services Policy & Procedure Manual
• Ensure device tracking, service logs, and client records are HIPAA-compliant

4. LOUISIANA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment

• Apply through https://www.lamedicaid.com as a PERS provider or Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplier with PERS services

Step 2: Submit Documentation

• Include business licenses, monitoring agreements, insurance, and device specifications

Step 3: Coordination with Waiver Case Managers or MCOs

• Provide service quotes and participate in development of participant POCs

Step 4: Device Setup and Monitoring Activation

• Deliver and install the device
• Educate participant and/or caregiver
• Submit installation documentation and monthly monitoring claims

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Business license and Articles of Incorporation
• IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
• Proof of liability insurance and monitoring center certification

Personal Emergency Response Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

• Participant intake and risk assessment forms
• Installation and service authorization logs
• HIPAA-compliant emergency response procedures
• Monitoring system checklists and device testing protocols
• Participant and caregiver training records
• Equipment inventory and replacement logs
• Critical incident documentation and response tracking
• Monthly billing records and audit-prep materials

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: PERS Installer / Field Technician
Requirements: Trained in basic electronics and HIPAA, background check required

Role: Monitoring Center Operators
Requirements: Staffed 24/7 by trained responders, experience in crisis communication, follows response protocols

Role (optional): Customer Support or Case Liaison
Requirements: Assists with troubleshooting, user engagement, and monthly reporting

All staff must complete:

• HIPAA compliance training
• Emergency communication protocols
• Device operation and maintenance training
• Participant rights and confidentiality orientation

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS & HCBS WAIVERS

PERS services are authorized under:

• Community Choices Waiver (CCW)
• Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
• New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
• Supports Waiver
• Money Follows the Person (MFP) transition services (as applicable)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Participant must live alone or be at high risk for falls or medical emergencies
• Service must be included in the Plan of Care and approved prior to installation
• Not available to participants in institutional settings

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Monitoring Setup
Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Credentialing
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Equipment Procurement and Documentation Setup
Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Participant Referrals and Activation
Timeline: Rolling, based on case manager requests and MCO approvals

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
Website: https://www.lamedicaid.com

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)
Website: https://ldh.la.gov

Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)
Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/119

Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD)
Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/121

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Medicaid enrollment and MCO credentialing for PERS services
• Development of PERS Policy & Procedure Manual
• HIPAA-compliant device setup forms, training logs, and monitoring agreements
• Emergency response documentation, incident reporting templates, and billing support
• Outreach materials for case managers and elder care coordinators