Page updated: 12/10/19

The provider’s and lead agency’s first priority is to meet the person’s assessed needs. Ideally, what a person wants and needs will align with what the lead agency authorizes. If the lead agency and provider cannot reach an agreement, authorizations must match the person’s needs.

Lead agencies and providers need to talk before they are able to develop appropriate:

· Staffing ratios for people who receive day services.

· Number of staffing hours for people who receive residential services.

Purchasing after service planning is complete

Lead agencies are in the position to either:

· Purchase a higher level of service if beneficial to the person.

· Choose to find a different service provider.

Providers are in the position to:

· Serve a person if the determined rate will meet the person’s staffing needs.

· Choose to not serve a person.

Things to consider

· Service levels must meet Chapter 245D requirements. However, staffing levels contained in Chapter 245D only account for the lowest level of required staffing.

· Lead agencies often will agree to purchase more than the base level of staffing necessary to meet the person’s needs.

· Providers must provide the level of service (including staffing hours and staffing ratios) the lead agencies agree to purchase.

Training

For more training, refer to RMS Manual – Training modules. Specifically, watch the service planning and purchasing module.