Important Information for Developmental Disability Respite Providers

June 1, 2016

Effective January 1, 2017, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) will transition state-funded developmental disability respite services to a fee-for-service payment model.  Affected services include maintenance respite (UAS Expense Code 430) and emergency respite (UAS Expense Code 431).

DBHDD will maintain its current funding model through December 31, 2016, for existing providers delivering these specific services in the upcoming fiscal year 2017.  New contracts for fiscal year 2017 will be effective from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, under the current funding model.

In July 2015, DBHDD released proposed rates for developmental disability services resulting from an independent, third-party cost-study.  Among other suggestions, changes were recommended to the funding model for developmental disability respite services in the interest of maximizing state funds.  Additionally, state-funded respite rates will be brought into line with respite rates in the NOW/COMP waivers.

Additional information on the residential and respite cost study can be found here.