PIMS Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does the CPR and First Aid training must be a face to face training experience for Behavioral Health Providers? We utilize an on-line training for the knowledge testing for CPR and First Aid with an in-person skills session. Is this acceptable?

    Yes, this is acceptable. This information is in Part II, Section II: Staffing Requirements of the most current Provider Manual for Community Behavioral Health Providers, you will find the required training(s) listed for all provider staff. Please note that DBHDD accepts CPR training through the American Heart Association, the Health and Safety Institute or the American Red Cross. These CPR trainings, regardless of level, includes both written and hands-on competency training

  • How long can an employee retain the Supervisee/Trainee designation?

    This information can be found in the Provider Manual for Community Behavioral Health Providers. A Supervisee/Trainee (S/T) is only able to hold that designation no longer than 108 months or for a period as may be specified by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists for the specific professional type, whichever is shorter. 

  • Will DBHDD accept DCH background checks in lieu of DBHDD background checks for applicable positions?

    DBHDD and DCH worked together to reduce unnecessary duplication between agencies related to background checks. DBHDD policy Criminal History Record Check for DBHDD Network Provider Applicants, 04-104 provides guidance for the allowable exceptions regarding the DCH Criminal History Record Check for applicants seeking employment with both behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disability providers.

  • How do I access the Relias Learning Management System? How can I reactivate my password?

    Relias can be accessed directly from the DBHDD website, by selecting the “For Providers” tab, then clicking on the “Training” link that appears in the drop-down menu.  Under “Other Training Resources” please click the link for DBHDD University for Providers.  You can access Relias from the DBHDD University for Providers website.

    For assistance in gaining access to the site or reactivating a password, contact [email protected]

  • I’m having trouble accessing IDD Connects, who should I contact for assistance?

    Please contact either Carelon Customer Service at 855-606-2725 or the Carelon EDI Helpdesk at 888-247-9311 for assistance. 

  • What are all the qualifications and requirements to be registered as a Developmental Disability Professional (DDP)? Where can I find the required training for a DDP?

    The qualifications and requirements are outlined in the most current Provider Manual for Community Developmental Disability Providers. Please review item G. PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS, in Part II, Section 1. The required training for a DDP can be found there as well. 

  • How do we contact the Georgia Collaborative Administrative Services Organization (ASO)?

    Please review the appropriate email addresses below to contact the Georgia Collaborative ASO:

    • GAEnrollment@carelon.com: This is for document submission only. Agencies can submit Applications, Change of Information forms, Medicaid Reactivations/Deactivations forms, Licenses, Insurances, and Staff Update forms to this email address.
    • GACollaborative@carelon.com: Send any questions pertaining to credentialing or the enrollment process (Letter of Intent, New Applications, Existing Provider Applications) to this email address. Documents are not accepted at this email address.  Please include the associated tracking number, if applicable, in the subject line of the email.
    • GACollaborativePR@carelon.com:  This is for any questions related to authorizations, trainings, etc. You can also submit denied authorization spreadsheets to this email address.
  • How do I reactivate my Medicaid Provider Number?

    In order to reactivate a Medicaid Provider Number, you must complete the “GA Medicaid Reactivation Request Form” located on the Georgia Collaborative ASO website.  This form cannot be handwritten, it must be typed.  Once you have completed the form, please submit it to the Georgia Collaborative ASO.  DO NOT SEND THE COMPLETED FORM TO HP ENTERPRISE SERVICES, as the form states.  The form can be emailed to GAEnrollment@carelon.com or mailed via the postal service to:

    GA Collaborative Enrollment
    P.O. Box 56324
    Atlanta, GA  30343

  • How do I notify DBHDD and/or Medicaid of a change in information concerning our agency?

    To notify DBHDD or Medicaid of a change of information, you are required to complete the “Change of Information” form located at the Georgia Collaborative ASO website: Please complete the form as instructed and follow the submission guidelines that are provided on the form.  It’s important to note that no handwritten forms will be accepted, it must be typed.  There is no need to notify Medicaid of the change as the Georgia Collaborative ASO will do so on your behalf.

  • What is the process for updating a change in staffing at our agency?

    To update a change in staffing at your agency, you are required to complete the “Staff Update Form” located at the Georgia Collaborative ASO website.  Please complete the form as instructed and follow the submission guidelines that are provided on the form.  It’s important to note that no handwritten forms will be accepted, it must be typed.

  • How do I update our service location?

    To update your service location, you are required to complete the “Change of Information” form, located at the Georgia Collaborative ASO website.    Please complete the form as instructed and follow the submission guidelines that are provided on the form.  It’s important to note that no handwritten forms will be accepted, it must be typed.

  • How can we add a service to our existing array of services?

    In order to add a service, you will need to complete the “BH Agency Existing Provider Application” or the “IDD Agency Existing Provider Application”/”IDD Individual Existing Provider Application”, as appropriate, located at the Georgia Collaborative ASO website. Please complete the form as instructed and follow the submission guidelines that are provided on the form.  It’s important to note that no handwritten forms will be accepted, it must be typed.

  • When completing the criminal history record check requirement for new employees, we’ve been advised not to send the potential employee to complete their fingerprint screening because we need approval prior to doing so. What is the process for this?

    Yes, please review the DBHDD policy Criminal History Record Check for DBHDD Network Provider Applicants, 04-104. Prior to sending a potential employee for fingerprinting, all DBHDD network providers must notify the DBHDD Criminal History Background Check (CHBC) Section of pending registration by completing the Gemalto Registration Notification Form, attachment E.

    If there are any issues with this process, you may contact the CHBC Section via email at [email protected] for assistance.

  • Where can I find specific information related to the Appendix K for I/DD Providers?

    The DBHDD policy Provider Manuals for Community Developmental Disability Providers, 02-1201 has all information related to the Appendix K including the Operational Guidelines for the NOW and COMP Waiver Programs in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic.  The Operational Guidelines outline the necessary flexibilities to service delivery during the PHE approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Appendix K.

    All DBHDD communications related to the COVID-19 pandemic are available on the DBHDD website by clicking here.

  • Is a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education considered a helping profession degree which would allow for a Paraprofessional to provide and bill for services as a U4?

    The DBHDD practice is not to dictate this hiring and billing decision, but to have the provider’s Human Resources Director make this determination based on the information provided by the potential employee for their degree content, the emphasis of study, and transcripts. An example would be a criminal justice degree, the focus of this degree could be law enforcement or it could be in prevention and restoration. If DBHDD said that an overall criminal justice degree was acceptable, then some policy might be determined as acceptable when it shouldn’t be, i.e. if the focus of that degree was law enforcement rather than prevention and restoration.

    If your agency chooses to hire and bill this individual as a U4 level practitioner, then this decision should be documented, along with the rationale for it, in the employee’s human resources record.