Why become a provider?
- The number of children with disabilities being served through the children's state waiver program has grown to over 10,000 in 2019.
- Many families are looking for local providers of services that help their children increase or maintain their daily capabilities at home or in the community.
Learn more about how to become an approved provider. Registering is free.
Below is information for providers on program policies, procedures, initiatives, and rates. You can also sign up for the Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) provider email list to receive updates on provider-related information.
Provider registration
Registering with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is the first step in becoming an approved provider of CLTS waiver services. DHS requires providers to reregister every four years.
Provider directory
DHS has recently launched a searchable online CLTS Waiver Provider Directory. It currently lists all county waiver agencies only. Future updates will display additional waiver service providers.
- The directory can be searched by provider name, type of service provided, and county.
- When you register as a CLTS provider, your information will be included in the directory.
Provider rates
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) directed the State of Wisconsin to create a uniform rate-setting methodology for many CLTS waiver services as per the home and community-based service (HCBS) 1915(c) regulations. The previous practice, in which individual county waiver agencies set rates directly with providers, is no longer allowed by CMS. The new rates, P-02184 (PDF) went into effect July 1, 2019.
Provider bulletins
The Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver Provider Bulletin informs waiver providers about program policies and procedures, initiatives, and rate information.
Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver Provider Bulletin, issue 2019-01 (PDF)
- Statewide uniform rate implementation
- Deciding Together Guide
- Individual service plan outcomes page
Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver Provider Bulletin, issue 2019-02 (PDF)
- Overview of the Registration Process
- Enhanced Registration and Directory Process for Financial Management Service Providers
- WPS Claims Corner
Children's Long-Term Support Waiver Provider Bulletin, issue 2019-03 (PDF)
- Overview of the statewide uniform rates initiative
- List of services included in the statewide uniform rate schedule
- Transitioning rates through a phased rollout
- Understanding services rates versus wages
- Financial management service rates
Claims processing
DHS has contracted with a third-party administrator (TPA) claims processing vendor for CLTS Waiver provider services. The DHS TPA vendor is Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS). WPS processes and issues payments for CLTS services, collects and reports claims data, and recovers overpayments on behalf of DHS according to federal regulations.
Contact information: WPS CLTS Customer Service Call Center, Monday through Friday, at 877-298-1258
Program policy
DHS is updating the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Manual for the CLTS Waiver Program to reflect the five-year renewal of the waiver, approved by CMS effective April 1, 2017. The approved waiver period is effective April 1, 2017, through December 31, 2021. DHS has amended the waiver to meet the CMS requirement for DHS to implement a statewide uniform rate methodology for most CLTS waiver services.
Guides and resources
Below is helpful information for providers.
- Children's Long-Term Support Council
- Children's Long-Term Support Waiver Program Enrollment and Waitlist by County, P-01689 (PDF)
- Deciding Together Guide, P-02246, and Information Memo 2019-01, Release of Deciding Together Guidance (PDF)
- Respite Care Association of Wisconsin
- Numbered Memo 2019-06, Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver Program Individual Service Plan Information Sharing (PDF)
As a CLTS Waiver Program provider, you will have an important role in the child’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and you may be asked to sign the participant’s outcomes form.
You will get access to relevant information on the ISP that will help you understand the goals and outcomes a child and his or her family desires to achieve. Sharing this information with you helps promote a teamwork approach. It also expands your perspective to learn how your contribution is part of a bigger picture for each child and family.
