Hello Indiana DSL Families,

I’m reaching out with an update on a topic that’s deeply important to many of you – Medicaid billing. As the new(ish) Executive Director of Down Syndrome of Louisville, I’ve had the privilege of hearing your thoughts and priorities firsthand, and I want you to know that this is a top priority for our team. 

Our staff has been working diligently on this initiative for several years, and we’ve made meaningful progress thanks to their dedication, especially Ashley, who now spends more than half her time advancing this work. We understand how critical Medicaid billing is, not only for your access to services, but also for our ability to grow and reach more families in Southern Indiana. As a fellow Hoosier, I’m especially excited by the momentum we’re building in this region. 

This message marks the first of our quarterly updates on Medicaid billing. Each update will be published on our blog, so you’ll always have a central place to find the latest information and track our progress. 

Thank you for your patience and your continued support. I am looking forward to what’s ahead and honored to move forward together with you. 

 -Taylor Ingram
Excutive Director
Down Syndrome of Louisville
September 17th, 2025

Our Latest Update – July 2026

We are reaching out to share an important update regarding Down Syndrome of Louisville’s efforts to become a provider of Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) under Indiana’s Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) and Family Supports (FS) Waivers.

Earlier this month, members of our leadership team attended the required BDS Leadership Training Series in Indianapolis. Shortly after, we received our final approval letter from the Indiana Bureau of Disability Services (BDS). This approval represents another significant milestone toward becoming an Indiana Waiver Provider.

Unfortunately, just days after, the Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) announced an unexpected change that affects the next steps in our provider enrollment process. Beginning August 1, 2026, Indiana Medicaid will temporarily pause the enrollment of certain new HCBS waiver providers.

Because DSL received its final BDS approval just before this change takes effect, we will not be able to complete our Medicaid enrollment before the enrollment pause begins. As a result, we will need to wait until the moratorium is lifted before we can move forward with the Indiana Medicaid enrollment process.

What does this mean for DSL?

Although this is an unexpected change, we want to reassure you that we remain committed to becoming an Indiana Waiver Provider.

While Medicaid enrollment is paused, we will continue making progress on the areas of the process that can move forward. In particular, we will continue working diligently on CARF accreditation. This includes reviewing and implementing policies and procedures, strengthening documentation and program processes, and ensuring that our practices align with CARF standards as we prepare for our future accreditation survey.

We will also continue to monitor updates from BDS and IHCP so we can move forward with the Medicaid enrollment process as soon as we are able to resume.

We know that many families have been looking forward to the opportunity for DSL to provide additional services through Indiana’s waiver programs. We share your disappointment with this unexpected delay, but we remain committed to this goal and appreciate your patience and continued support as we navigate this change.

For additional information about the provider certification and enrollment moratorium, please review the official IHCP bulletin below:

IHCP Bulletin BT2026124 – HCBS Provider Certification and Enrollment Moratorium

June 2026

This quarter, we have been actively preparing for Indiana Medicaid enrollment and have begun gathering and organizing the required application materials for submission.

The BDS Leadership Training Series was rescheduled from April to July. Our leadership team is registered to attend this required training in Indianapolis.

A significant portion of our efforts this quarter has been dedicated to preparing for our CARF accreditation survey. We have been working diligently behind the scenes to ensure our programs, documentation, policies, procedures, and operational practices align with the standards established by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). We have also continued implementing these practices throughout our programs to support compliance, continuous quality improvement, and the delivery of high-quality services.

What’s next?

In the coming quarter, we plan to:

• Attend the BDS Leadership Training Series in July
• Complete our Indiana Medicaid enrollment application
• Conduct and complete our CARF standards self-assessment
• Continue implementing and refining policies, procedures, and documentation practices in preparation for our accreditation survey

We appreciate your continued patience and support as we move through these important steps. We remain committed to expanding services in Indiana and will continue to keep you informed of our progress. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

March 2026 Update

Hello DSL Indiana Families!

We are excited to share another update with you regarding our progress toward becoming an Indiana Waiver Provider.

Here’s what has happened this quarter:

After receiving provisional approval from the Indiana Bureau of Disability Services (BDS) last quarter, we enrolled in the mandatory BDS Leadership Training Series in Indianapolis, which our leadership team will be attending in April. During this time, we also focused heavily on ensuring that all of our policies and procedures align with the standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). As part of this process, we have begun implementing these policies and procedures within The Academy program to ensure they are fully integrated into our daily operations.

What’s next?

In the coming quarter, we plan to:

• Attend the BDS Leadership Training Series in Indianapolis

• Complete our enrollment with Indiana Medicaid

• Continue implementing CARF-aligned policies and procedures as we prepare for our Accreditation Self-Assessment this fall.

We appreciate your continued patience and support as we move through these important steps. We will continue to keep you informed as we make progress and receive additional updates. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

December 2025 Update

We are pleased to share an exciting update with you regarding our Provider Application for Waiver Services! We are moving forward in the process of becoming an Indiana Waiver Provider, which is a significant step toward expanding access and support for your loved ones.

Here’s what has happened this quarter:

We received a Request for Information from the Indiana Bureau of Disability Services (BDS). We carefully gathered all requested materials and submitted our complete response to the BDS office on November 17, 2025.

We are happy to report that we received provisional approval from the BDS office on December 16, 2025, allowing us to move forward in the process of becoming a Waiver Provider.

What’s next?

We will be completing the mandatory BDS Leadership Training Series in Indianapolis and working on our enrollment with Indiana Medicaid. Completion of these steps is required before we are able to bill for any Waiver services.

In addition, we are continuing to work diligently to ensure that all policies and procedures required by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) are in place.

We appreciate your continued patience and support as we move through these remaining steps. We will keep you informed as we make progress and receive additional updates. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

September 2025 Update

Strengthening DSL Services in Indiana: Our Progress 

Down Syndrome of Louisville is making meaningful progress toward a major milestone: gaining the ability to bill Medicaid and achieve national accreditation for the services we already provide in Indiana. This complex process involves formal approvals from state agencies, Medicaid enrollment, and national accreditation.  

We’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. 

Completed Steps 

• January 2024 – We began the provider application process with Indiana’s Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDS). 

• Spring 2024 – Our team gathered all required documentation, including policies and background checks, for state review. 

• November 2024 – DSL leadership reviewed service requirements and finalized our plan on how to move forward, including assigning Ashely as the project lead and dedicating 60% of her time to this effort to ensure steady progress.  

• April 2025 – We began the accreditation process with CARF (national accreditation body), including purchasing manuals and being assigned a resource specialist.  

• Summer 2025 – We submitted our official provider application for Behavior Management services to Indiana BDS. 

Current Focus 

• Application Review: State agencies are reviewing our applications. This stage can take time, but we’re hopeful for updates by the end of 2025. We’re responding promptly to any requests for additional information.  

• Self-Evaluation for Accreditation: Our team is actively reviewing and refining our services to meet national accreditation standards. 

Coming Milestones 

• Provisional Approval – Once granted, our leadership team will complete required state training and begin Medicaid enrollment. 

• Medicaid Enrollment – We’ll enroll through Indiana Health Coverage Programs, a key step before final approval. 

• Accreditation Self-Study – We’ll complete a detailed self-evaluation to prepare for the CARF survey. 

• Survey Application & Scheduling – DSL will submit our accreditation application and schedule the on-site review with CARF surveyors. 

• Accreditation Survey – CARF surveyors will visit DSL to confirm we meet national quality standards. 

• Final Approvals – With accreditation and Medicaid approval complete, DSL will be formally approved to bill for services in Indiana.  

• Billing Launch – Families will be able to select DSL as a Medicaid provider for Adult Day and Behavior Management services. 

We’ll continue to share quarterly updates. Thank you for your patience and support as we work to strengthen our services in Indiana!

Additional questions? Email DSL’s Teen & Adult Transitions Manager, Ashley Corley

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