Division of Developmental Disabilities

Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Shirley U. Emehelu

Division of Developmental Disabilities

Apply to Become a Provider

Important Notice: Provider Application Process Changing Effective 1/1/2027

In November 2026, DDD released a second new Information Bulletin, New Application Process for Prospective DDD/Medicaid Providers.pdf.

This bulletin gives details about DDD's planned 2027 transition from its current provider application process, where we accept and review provider applications year-round, to a new process where provider applications are only accepted during two Open Application Periods per calendar year, tentatively in March and September.

Please note: DDD will stop accepting new provider applications as of December 31, 2026. We do not anticipate opening the first Open Application Period until September 2027. Existing DDD/Medicaid-approved provider will still be able to complete regular provider maintenance, such as adding/removing sites or services, changing addresses, changing ownership, etc.

  • Agencies or professionals that submit a completed application by December 31, 2026 will proceed through the current application process.
  • Beginning January 1, 2027, agencies or professionals interested in applying to become a DDD/Medicaid provider will need to postpone applying until DDD's first Open Application Period, currently anticipated to be September 2027.

To apply to become a DDD-Medicaid provider of home and community based services (HCBS) through one of DDD's two Medicaid waiver programs (Community Care Program, Supports Program), follow the steps below.

STEP 1: Review DDD Policy Manuals

Before applying to become a Medicaid/DDD-approved provider, it is important to understand the policies and procedures that govern the delivery of home and community-based services (HCBS) in the DDD fee-for-service system. Please take time to review the Policy Manuals for the Supports Program and Community Care Program.

STEP 2: Determine Services

Before completing the application, you need to determine which services you will apply to provide as a DDD/Medicaid provider.

  • If you are applying to provide any of these three services, you must complete the added steps below:
    • Day Habilitation
    • Support Coordination
    • Supports Brokerage
  • If you are interested in opening/managing a licensed residential setting (like a group home), you need to review the Prerequisites for Licensed Residential Settings below.
  • If you are not applying for any of the above services, skip to Step 3.

Before submitting the Combined Application, agencies interested in providing Day Habilitation services must apply for and receive provisional Day Habilitation Certification.

Before submitting the Combined Application, agencies interested in providing Support Coordination services must:

  • Review the DDD policy manuals, particularly the sections related to Support Coordination.
  • Review DDD's revised Conflict-Free Policy.pdf (revised January 2022).
  • Submit the following, on agency letterhead, to DDD.ProviderHelpdesk@dhs.nj.gov:
    • Agency Letter of Interest
    • Agency Conflict-Free Policy

Before submitting the Combined Application, agencies interested in providing Supports Brokerage services must:

The DDD-Medicaid service delivered in a licensed residential setting is Individual Supports-Daily Rate. Agencies interested in operating a licensed residential setting will need to submit the Combined Application and select Individual Supports.

After you are approved to provide Individual Supports and before submitting a licensing application:

  • You must provide documentation of the agency's history of provision of direct care services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in New Jersey or another state, for a minimum of 24 months, including survey or audit results and plans of correction.

If you have questions, please email the DDD Provider Helpdesk at DDD.ProviderHelpdesk@dhs.nj.gov

For more information, visit the Office of Program Integrity & Accountability (OPIA) Office of Licensing.

STEP 3: Apply for an NPI Number

The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit identification number issued to health and human service providers in the United States by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

You need to apply for an NPI for each location where you plan to provide services. If the services you provide are community-based and not provided through a specific location (for example, Community Based Supports or Supported Employment), apply for an NPI for your main location (administrative office).

STEP 4: Complete the Combined DDD-Medicaid Application

Once you obtain your NPI(s), you may complete the Combined Application to Become a Medicaid/DDD Approved Provider*.

Please Note:

  • Providers of Day Habilitation, Support Coordination, and Supports Brokerage services must take the added steps above before and/or during the combined application process.
  • Providers of Individual Supports (residential or in-home) must sign and submit the Attestation for Providers of Individual Supports.pdf.

Mail your completed application, together with any required documents for the service(s) you are applying to provide, to the following:

   Gainwell Technologies
   Provider Enrollment Unit
   PO Box 4804
   Trenton, NJ 08650-4804

*Retain a copy of your original Combined Application.

If you have questions or need help:

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