HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplying for DD Services Step-by-Step12/2025 Page 1 of 3
Applying for DD Services Step-by-Step
Step 1: Submit Application
You may apply for Developmental Disability (DD) services by submitting an Eligibility
Application for Adults with Developmental Disabilities to your local Bureau of
Developmental Disability Services (BDDS) office. An application can be mailed to you, or you
may print off a copy of the application from the Apply for Adult with Developmental Disabilities
Programs website. When an application is submitted, BDDS staff first verify your financial
eligibility for Medicaid. If you do not currently have Enhanced Medicaid, you are still
encouraged to apply as you may be eligible for Enhanced Medicaid if you meet level of care
eligibility for the DD waiver and financial criteria.
Step 2: Schedule Interview
The independent assessment contractor (IAC) will review your documents to see if they have
enough information to set up an assessment. If so, they will contact you, your guardian, or other
representative to set up an appointment to meet with them for an interview. If not, they will
send you a letter that lets you know what else is needed.
Step 3: Prepare for Interview
It is important that you are available for your scheduled interview. Make sure you ask your
guardian, a friend, or another person that knows you very well to be present at the interview.
Step 4: Complete Interview
At the time of your interview:
•The IAC will interview you and the person you bring with you and ask about you and
your needs.
•The IAC will complete the Scales of Independent Behavior—Revised (SIB-R)
assessment tool with a person who knows you very well.
•The IAC may request signatures or that you fill out additional forms.
•The IAC will conduct a needs inventory that will help the IAC to calculate your
annual budget if you qualify for adult DD services.
•The IAC will have already provided you with an Adult DD Medical Care Form that
you can take to your doctor to fill out and return.
Step 5: Get a Notice
After the interview, the IAC will review the information and determine if you’re eligible for DD
services. A notice will be sent to you about the results.
If you are determined eligible for DD and/or DD waiver services, the eligibility notice will
include the amount of your annual budget and a timeline for submission of a plan.
If you are determined not eligible for either one of these services, you can request an appeal
hearing of this decision by submitting an appeal request to Medicaid Appeals. Information
about submitting an appeal is included on the denial notice.
IMPORTANT: The assessment process must be completed EACH YEAR if
you wish to continue to receive services.
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Step 6: Choose Services
If you are determined eligible for state plan only services, you can choose:
•Service coordination
•Developmental therapy
If you are determined ICF/IID level of care eligible, you can choose from both state plan services
and DD waiver services. DD waiver services include:
•Residential habilitation (certified family home or supported living)
•Chore services
•Respite
•Supported employment
•Non-medical transportation
•Environmental accessibility adaptations
•Specialized equipment and supplies
•Personal emergency response system
•Home delivered meals
•Skilled nursing
•Behavior consultation or crisis management
•Adult day health
If you are determined ICF/IID level of care eligible, you can choose the consumer directed
services option to self-direct your services instead of the services listed above.
Step 7: Choose Plan Developer or Support Broker
You will need to choose a plan developer/support broker. The IAC can provide you with a list of
service coordination agencies if you need help finding a plan developer. If you decide to access
state plan and traditional waiver services, you will use a plan developer to help you write your
plan. Once you have selected a plan developer you will need to fill out the Plan Developer
Choice Form and submit it to the IAC.
If you decide to self-direct your services through the consumer directed services option, you will
use a support broker to help you write your plan.
A list of plan developers can be found on the Traditional Support Services website and a list of
support brokers can be found on the Self-Directed Services website.
Step 8: Identify Your Person-Centered Planning Team
Once you have chosen a plan developer/support broker, they will help you to identify family
and/or other individuals who are important to you to be part of a person-centered planning
team.
Step 9: Develop and Submit Plan
You and your person-centered planning team will work together to evaluate your needs and
goals and help you to develop a plan. For individuals who choose to access state plan and
traditional waiver services, this plan is called an Individual Support Plan (ISP). For individuals
who choose to self-direct their services, this plan is called a Support and Spending Plan (SSP).
Once the plan is written, it is submitted to the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services
(BDDS) for review. A care manager in the BDDS office will be responsible for reviewing your
plan.
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Step 10: Plan Review
The care manager will make sure your plan meets your assessed needs, allows for your health
and safety and is within your budget. You and your plan developer/support broker will be
notified by mail if you plan has been approved.
•If the plan does not meet your assessed needs, allow for your health and safety, and/or is
over budget, the care manager will contact your plan developer/support broker to discuss
the plan. If adjustments are made to your plan so it meets your needs and is within budget,
the care manager will be able to authorize the services on the plan.
•However, if your plan developer/support broker and the care manager are not able to agree
on the services needed to meet your needs and/or the plan cost continues to exceed your
calculated budget, the care manager will do one of the following:
1.Authorize some of the services on your plan; or
2.Deny all of the services on your plan.
•The care manager will send a notice to you, your plan developer/support broker and your
guardian (if applicable) to let you know what services were approved and/or denied. If you
don’t agree with the care manager’s decision to deny some or all of your services, you can
request an appeal through Medicaid Appeals. Information about submitting an appeal is
included on the notice.
Step 11: Start Services
If some or all services on your plan are approved, these services will be authorized in the
Medicaid payment system. If you are accessing traditional DD services, the providers listed on
your plan will also be notified they can provide services and the date you can begin receiving
those services. If you are self-directing your services, you will need to notify your community
support workers when they can begin to provide services.
Step 12: Make Changes if Needed
If your plan needs to be changed during the plan year, this can be done by your plan
developer/support broker. For state plan or traditional waiver services, a plan developer will
complete an addendum and provide any documents that support the requested changes. For
self-directed services, a support broker will do a Plan Change Form. An update to a plan must be
submitted in the following circumstances:
For a state plan or traditional waiver plan:
•A change in provider
•A change in the amount of time you will be receiving a service
•Adding or deleting a service
•Requesting a restrictive intervention
•Requesting alone time for certified family home services
For a self-directed plan:
•Adding or deleting services in a support category
•Moving money from one support category to another
•Requesting a restrictive intervention
•Requesting a community support worker (CSW) with wages above fair market rate
•Requesting alone time for certified family home services
•Requesting a change in the fiscal employer agent (FEA)