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

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: In today's ever-changing economic landscape, entrepreneurs are constantly seeking recession-proof business opportunities....