1. Program Definition and Services

Non-Medical Transportation (NMT) Services support individuals with disabilities by providing rides to and from waiver-authorized programs, employment, and community activities that promote inclusion and independence. Operating under South Dakota's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, these services safeguard continuity of care while promoting participant safety and comfort. Services include:

• In-Route Care Delivery: Delivering supervision, behavioral assistance, and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) support directly inside the transit vehicle
• Out-of-Home Site-Based Support: Hosting participants during transit hours in licensed community vehicles, specialized mobility vans, or structured transport programs

2. Regulations

Administrative Rules of South Dakota (ARSD) Article 67:54: Rule sets governing developmental disabilities waiver services.

• ARSD Article 67:40 & 67:44: Safety codes regulating state long-term care and assisted living structures
• Federal HCBS Waiver Settings Rule: 42 CFR 441.301(c)(4)-(5) community integration requirements
• CMS Quality Assurance Performance Measures: Federal benchmarks for temporary caretaker delegation

3. Licensing or Certification

Providers do not require medical clinic licensing for in-home services, but must secure formal Medicaid Provider Enrollment Certification from the state. For out-of-home models, entities must obtain specific Residential or Assisted Living Facility Licensure through the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) or Department of Social Services (DSS).

4. Responsible State Agency

The South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) administers programs like CHOICES and Family Support 360, tracks provider readiness, and approves developmental disability plans. The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) Division of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) manages authorization, spending structures, and compliance loops for aging and physical disability respite pools.

5. Application Process

Agencies submit an institutional credentials application to DHS-DDD or DSS-LTSS depending on their target demographics. Upon initial state agency programmatic validation, the business completes digital profile synchronization through the South Dakota Medicaid Provider Portal to establish active electronic billing rights.

6. Required Documentation

• South Dakota Secretary of State corporate registration documents (Articles of Organization)
• Federal EIN and an Organizational Type 2 National Provider Identifier (NPI)
• Official DHS-DDD or DSS-LTSS programmatic enrollment approval verification
• State Facility License matching the location (strictly for out-of-home facility sites)
• Respite Care Services Policy & Procedure Manual (covering crisis intake, medication handouts, participant rights, and emergency back-up plans)
• Commercial general liability, professional malpractice, and mandatory state workers' compensation insurance certificates

7. Timeline for Approval

The evaluation and backend systems onboarding lifecycle typically takes 3 to 5 months to finalize, dictated by the speed of staff verification milestones, policy manual structural audits, and electronic portal linking.

8. Pre-Application Process

Before initiating state portal profiles, companies must legally incorporate via the South Dakota Secretary of State, buy liability coverage matching state vendor thresholds, open a distinct corporate operating bank account, clear initial employee background systems, and implement a HIPAA-compliant digital records database.

9. Pre-Application Training

All direct support staff, coordinators, and supervisors must complete foundational orientation prior to taking assignments. Personnel must verify complete understanding of South Dakota Medicaid documentation rules, consumer dignity metrics, mandatory abuse/neglect reporting, and basic first aid/CPR safety actions.

10. Additional Notes

• Self-Direction Broker Transition: Under current South Dakota rules, self-directed programs like Family Support 360 operate under an Agency with Choice (AWC) co-employment model, utilizing the state's contracted vendor (Consumer Direct Care Network South Dakota) to handle employment files.
• Facility Room and Board Caps: Out-of-home respite packages exclude federal Medicaid funds for regular room and board costs unless care is delivered inside a certified, short-term state-licensed institutional environment.
• Service Tracking Metrics: Daily log entries must register exact face-to-face service timestamps, supervisor check-offs, and brief description remarks detailing the participant's physical condition during the substitute care span.

Why Choose Waiver Consulting Group?

Starting or expanding your Medicaid waiver-funded agency can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. At Waiver Consulting Group, we simplify the process by guiding you through licensing, compliance, provider enrollment, policies & procedures, and regulatory approvals in any state.

With proven expertise, a structured process, and ongoing support, we take the guesswork out of launching your healthcare business. Whether you're a first-time entrepreneur or an established provider looking to expand, our team ensures you stay compliant, competitive, and fully operational.

To get started, click the link to request portal access.