Respite Care Services in Louisiana offer short-term, substitute care for individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or age-related limitations giving unpaid caregivers a break while ensuring the individual continues to receive needed support. Respite services are authorized under several Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, and may occur in-home, at licensed facilities, or in community settings.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) — Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) & Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS)
Role: Regulates respite services under HCBS waivers and monitors provider quality and licensure

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight for 1915(c) waiver-funded respite programs

Agency: Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) / Molina Medicaid Solutions
Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment and claims reimbursement

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under Bayou Health
Role: May authorize or coordinate respite services in some waiver programs

2. RESPITE CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW

Respite care gives family caregivers scheduled or emergency breaks by having trained providers step in to support the individual’s daily needs and well-being.

Approved services may include:

• In-home respite: temporary caregiving within the participant’s home
• Out-of-home respite: care in a licensed residential or day facility
• Planned or emergency coverage (e.g., medical appointments, travel, caregiver illness)
• Overnight or weekend respite (as authorized)
• Behavioral support and ADL/IADL assistance during the respite period

Respite services must be documented in the participant’s Plan of Care (POC) and align with individual needs and safety considerations.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State
• Obtain IRS EIN and Type 2 NPI
• Apply for respite service provider enrollment via the Louisiana Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal
• Obtain OCDD or OAAS licensure if operating a facility-based respite program
• Maintain general liability and worker’s compensation insurance
• Hire qualified respite workers or direct support staff
• Develop a Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual
• Ensure HIPAA-compliant documentation and emergency protocols

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Option A: In-Home Respite Provider

• Enroll as a waiver respite provider at https://www.lamedicaid.com
• Submit staff qualifications, policies, and service plans to LDH
• Coordinate with waiver support coordinators for referrals

Option B: Facility-Based Respite Provider

• Apply for appropriate LDH residential or day service licensure
• Ensure facility meets life safety, ADA, and programmatic standards
• Enroll as a Medicaid provider and coordinate with OCDD or OAAS

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or sole proprietor filing
• IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
• Proof of insurance coverage
• Licensure (if providing facility-based care)

Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

• Client intake and scheduling templates
• Daily activity logs and shift documentation forms
• Medication administration protocols (if applicable)
• Emergency and incident response procedures
• Participant rights and consent forms
• Abuse prevention, training logs, and supervision checklists
• Billing logs and audit-ready documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Respite Worker / Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, experience with caregiving or disability support, CPR/First Aid training; background check clearance

Role: Program Supervisor / Scheduler (for agencies)
Requirements: Experience in service coordination and personnel management, ensures scheduling, documentation, and care quality

Training Requirements for All Staff:

• HIPAA and participant confidentiality
• Abuse and neglect prevention (mandatory reporter training)
• Basic ADL/IADL support techniques
• Emergency procedures and infection control
• Person-centered care and documentation practices

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Respite Care is reimbursed under:

• Residential Options Waiver (ROW)
• New Opportunities Waiver (NOW)
• Supports Waiver
• Children’s Choice Waiver
• Community Choices Waiver (limited support for aging adults)
• Money Follows the Person (MFP) transition support for caregivers post-institutional discharge

Approved providers may deliver:

• Flexible short-term care hours based on caregiver needs
• Daily, hourly, or overnight billing (based on waiver authorizations)
• In-home or licensed setting-based coverage
• Coordination with waiver support coordinators and service teams

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration and Staff Hiring
Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and Policy Manual Development
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Staff Credentialing and Licensing (if facility-based)
Timeline: 1 month

Phase: Referral Coordination and Service Delivery
Timeline: Ongoing, based on waiver caseloads and caregiver demand

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

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

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

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

​LDH Health Standards Section (for facility licensure)
Website: https://ldh.la.gov/page/282

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration and Medicaid enrollment
• LDH facility licensure (if applicable)
• Respite Care Policy & Procedure Manual creation
• Staff credentialing and onboarding tools
• Daily log templates and service documentation forms
• Referral strategies with waiver support coordinators and discharge planners
• Audit readiness checklists and Medicaid billing systems

Waiver Consulting Group supports caregiver agencies, community organizations, and independent providers in launching licensed, Medicaid-approved Respite Care programs across Louisiana

To get started, click the link to request portal access