How to Become a Medicaid Waiver Provider in Nebraska

Nebraska puts a graded test between you and the application packet. You attend a DDA orientation in its entirety, then complete a competency activity, and only a score of 85 percent or above gets you the application. You may retake it up to three times; fail three times and you repeat orientation at the next scheduled session — which DHHS holds at least quarterly. That sequencing is worth planning around, because it means your earliest possible application date is set by the orientation calendar plus your own preparation, not by when you decide you are ready. After that the state is candid that becoming a certified agency provider may take several months, and that the length depends mostly on how long you take to write your policies and procedures. Two more things: the initial certification DPH issues runs only six months, and when you accept your first referral you must notify DPH, which completes a review before you may begin serving that participant.

Attend orientation, pass the competency activity at 85 percent, submit the application and policies, clear DPH's administrative review for a six-month initial certification, complete Medicaid enrollment, then get your case-management account.

Application system: DHHS — Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver Providers

1. Contact DDA central office and sign up for orientation

   Orientation covers DHHS divisions, DD services, agency provider requirements, how the enrollment and certification processes work, citations, and corrective action — and is your chance to ask questions.

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2. Pass the competency activity

   Competency-based training exists so that potential providers are fully aware of the expectations of being certified. Return it to DDA with a score of 85 percent or above to receive the application packet.

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3. Write the policies and submit the application

   The packet is the application and letter of intent plus a policy and procedure worksheet. Nebraska says the time this takes depends mostly on how long your policies take to develop.

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4. Clear the DPH administrative review

   DPH sends written notification of the outcome. When initial certification is given, the notification contains the instructions for completing Medicaid agency provider enrollment.

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5. Complete Medicaid enrollment and get a case-management account

   Enrollment happens in the DHHS-mandated electronic Medicaid agency provider enrollment system. Once it is complete, DDA sets up your account in the state-mandated web-based case management system so you can start taking referrals.

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6. Notify DPH when you accept your first referral

   DPH completes a review before you can begin serving that participant. This is a second gate, after certification.

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Nebraska does not publish these in a form we could verify, so we have not guessed at them. Ask directly — and if an answer here would help other providers, tell us and we will add it with its source.

• When is the next DDA orientation, and how do you register through the central office?

  Ask: DHHS Division of Developmental Disabilities central office

• What does full certification look like after the six-month initial period, and what does DPH review at that point?

  Ask: DHHS Division of Public Health

• Which services and which regions is DDA currently short of providers for?

  Ask: DHHS Division of Developmental Disabilities central office

• How long does Medicaid agency provider enrollment take after initial certification?

  Ask: Nebraska Medicaid provider enrollment