TLDR Summary Meal decisions are a core part of person centered planning. HCBS compliance requires daily choice in foods, timing, and setting. Meal restrictions must be documented and reviewed. DSPs must record choices and supports in simple, clear notes. Providers should use tools that make meal choice easy and safe. Person Centered Meal Planning for HCBS and Group Home Providers Person centered choice is a required part of HCBS compliance. Meals are one of the clearest ways

In 60 Seconds DBHDS now classifies new applications as Priority 1, Priority 2, or Non-Priority. Priority 1 and 2 services are reviewed within 90 days once complete. Priority 1 applications are assigned in 5–10 business days; Priority 2 in 21 business days. You do not need to secure a property until after your policy review. Magnate Consulting helps providers prepare compliant policies, applications, and inspections. Introduction Starting a group home in Virginia requires stru

Empowering Individual Choice in HCBS: Compliance and Practice Individual choice is not only a value. It is a federal requirement for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The CMS HCBS Final Rule (2014) established that people receiving Medicaid-funded services must have real control over where they live, who supports them, and how they spend their time (CMS, 2014). For providers, the challenge is turning that principle into daily practice while maintaining compliance. Wha

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Documentation: The Backbone of Compliance When auditors review group home or home care records, the first thing they look for is DSP documentation. Every shift note, progress entry, and incident form paints a picture of how care is delivered. If documentation is weak, inconsistent, or late, compliance risk skyrockets. For providers in home and community-based services (HCBS), strong documentation isn’t optional, it’s a regulatory requirement

Why verifying credentials and competency matters before you hire Beyond licenses: knowing who you are trusting with your program In healthcare and human services, “qualified” is not just about credentials. It is about competency, fit, and ethics. Directors and consultants often make decisions that directly affect care quality, billing accuracy, and compliance outcomes. A polished résumé or familiar name is not proof of integrity or skill. CMS and OIG have made clear that over

Finding Stability When Systems Shift Across the country, home and community-based service (HCBS) providers are quietly carrying the tension between compassion and compliance. Federal conversations around Medicaid budget adjustments and the potential rollback of ARPA-funded workforce incentives have many wondering if their margins or their staff can hold. Yet amid all the noise, one truth still anchors the field: quality care and stable staffing don’t depend on certainty, th

Why EVV Compliance Still Trips Up Home Care Agencies Under the 21st Century Cures Act , all Medicaid personal care and home health services must use an Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system to record key visit details who provided care, to whom, when, and where (CMS, 2023). While most agencies have adopted EVV software, compliance lapses still happen when systems aren’t consistently audited or integrated with staff supervision protocols. CMS and state Medicaid agencies

Virginia’s New Gatekeeper for Priority Services Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has released a major update for new providers.Starting November 7, 2025 , anyone applying for Priority 1 or Priority 2 services must: Complete the DBHDS Initial Applicant Orientation ; and Pass a proctored Comprehensive Knowledge Exam with a minimum score of 85 percent. This requirement, confirmed in an October 23 DBHDS memo, affects new applicants

Under DBHDD Policy 02-701 Attachment A (Version 10/31/2024), new Developmental Disability (DD) provider agencies must demonstrate that the agency itself has delivered similar community-based services such as I/DD or other Home and Community-Based Services for at least one year before applying to DBHDD. This proof usually includes a prior contract with a state, Medicaid authority, or authorized contracting entity showing at least 12 months of verified service delivery, claim

Introduction Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) shape how residential programs and group homes deliver care. These programs allow individuals with disabilities to live more independently and with dignity. Clear and compliant group home policies and procedures are essential for meeting HCBS standards. At Magnate Consulting , we provide healthcare consulting services to help providers align their operations with federal and state requirements. 1. Understanding HCBS Stand

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