An Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) Certified Independent Provider is a self-employed direct support professional who provides services/supports for people with developmental disabilities.
There are more than 100 independent providers who provide direct services to Licking County residents who have developmental disabilities.
LCBDD has a Provider Support team that is dedicated to supporting providers in our county.
Independent providers contract with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) to provide services/supports for Licking County residents. They must provide the services themselves and cannot employ, either directly or through contract, anyone else to provide the services.
How do I become an independent provider?
An independent provider must have:
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- Access to a computer and printer for necessary forms.
- Their own email which they access regularly.
- The ability to keep good records and notes on the support that they provide.
- They must enter billing as well as track/understand reports for the supports that they provide.
- Annual training, which is required and provided free online from DODD.
LCBDD now offers a regular newsletter for independent providers. Click here to see the most current edition, as well as an archive of previous newsletters.
Who is part of the LCBDD Provider Support Team and how can I contact them?
You can contact our Provider Support Team by calling 740-349-6588 or by clicking on a name below to access email.
Angie Finck, Director of Provider and Transition Supports– Oversees goods/services contracting for the Licking County Board of DD, Community Capital Assistance Housing and housing initiatives, facilitates projects related to provider support and community collaboration, and fields questions about the Provider and Transition Support Department.
David McManus, Provider Support Coordinator– Provides technical assistance for agency providers, supports transportation efforts, assists with the Imagine Information System utilization, support for self-advocacy groups, and is the liaison for the Kiwanis Aktion Club of Licking County.
Teresa Whipkey, Provider Support Coordinator-Provides technical assistance to independent providers, assists with rental housing availability and assistance programs, provides initial and annual certification training, and provides CPR & First Aid training.
Additional resources:
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Printing forms: Did you know that you can find and print the forms you need at your convenience from home or wherever you have access to a printer? We have created a web page with the information and forms you need to be a great provider.
All of the forms can be found below. Continue through each topic of the additional resources to familiarize yourself with the information. Be sure to call Teresa, 740-322-6907 with all of your questions.
- All providers are required to be registered through the CMS National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) with a unique NPI number. If you think you might already have an NPI number, please use this web site to search for your entry https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/ (you can enter your first and last name to begin the search). When you are ready to apply, there are two helpful documents to step you through this process:
- Within 60 days after certification is granted, all new providers must take additional classes on the use of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) and billing for services. These classes are available online for free. Providers can make an appointment with Teresa Whipkey to complete the first billing cycle (or more).
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- EVV Training Information
- Find DODD’s Billing and Documentation Class on MyLearning.dodd.ohio.gov
- Billing Instructions
- Overtime Rule Notifying Procedure
- Billing Codes and Rates
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- Documentation of the support you provide is required before entering billing (claims) for the support. Use the following forms to detail the things you do that match the person’s ISP, record your mileage, list new things you learn about the person on the learning logs and, at least twice per year, fill out the Outcome Progress Sheet.
- Unusual Incident Reports (UIRs) are events that happen which are not typically part of the person’s life and not documented in the ISP. Below are some instructions and forms for documenting these events.
- Eight hours of provider training is required each year. There are specific topics that DODD requires you complete. The link below will guide you to additional information on training.
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- Possible Training Topics You Might Like
- Training Logs for Additional Annual Topics
- Provider Training Links
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Renewal of Provider Certification must be completed online approximately every three years. Providers should use the template below to prepare for renewing their DODD Independent Provider Certification. Certifications will open 90 days before they expire.
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- Step 2: Update PSM for Renewal
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- Providers who engage in a shared living arrangement with the person they support but are not immediate family, may find it helpful to have a document explaining the details of their arrangement. This document would help answer questions such as “If that person decided to hire a different provider, what would be the arrangement for room rent or food, personal care and cleaning supplies?” The below link contains a DODD recommended example agreement which can help ensure needed information is clearly stated.
- Receive a secure email from LCBDD? Click here to learn how to access our secure email portal