How the Participant Directed Goods and Services Process Works in Ohio

September 7, 2023

• Aging
• Employees
• Disabilities
• Self-direction

Participant direction helps people live the life they choose. That includes choosing vendors that best fit their preferences. In Ohio, this service is called Participant Directed Goods and Services (PDGS). It is available to people enrolled in the Level One and SELF waivers. 

GT’s Role in Participant Directed Goods and Services (PDGS)

The Process of Purchasing Goods

• If the participant is new to GT, the participant identifies the vendors they have chosen at the enrollment meeting
• If the participant is already active with GT, the participant contacts GT Customer
  Service to add or remove vendors
• This step lets GT know what vendors need to be enrolled so the participant can
  receive goods authorized in the individual service plan

• GT reaches out to the vendor to complete the enrollment documents and explain the required documentation
• The vendor must complete the required enrollment documents below to provide
  goods:

The vendor cannot provide goods until the services are authorized, the documents are complete, and GT alerts the vendor that they are active.

• The participant submits a purchase request form that includes the date of the request, the participant’s name, details and price of the good, and the preferred vendor
• The purchase request form is important to make sure the good is approved and can be purchased timely

• GT confirms the good is approved in the participant’s individual service plan and not on the excluded item list
• Gift cards of any kind cannot be purchased
• GT purchases the good based on the payroll schedule

The Process of Paying for Services

• If the participant is new to GT, the participant identifies the vendors they have chosen at the enrollment meeting
• If the participant is already active with GT, the participant contacts GT Customer
  Service to add or remove vendors
• This step lets GT know what vendors need to be enrolled so the participant can
  receive services authorized in the individual service plan

• GT reaches out to the vendor to complete the enrollment documents and explain the required documentation
• The vendor must complete the required enrollment documents below to provide services:

The vendor cannot provide service until the services are authorized, the documents are complete, and GT alerts the vendor that they are active.

• After the service has been provided, the vendor must submit an invoice to GT that includes the participant’s name, description of service, and the date the service was provided
• The invoice must be signed by the participant or the participant must submit a purchase request form to match the invoice
• The documents with all of the required information are important to make sure the service is approved and so that GT can pay the vendor on time

• GT confirms the service is approved in the participant’s individual service plan and not on the excluded item list
• GT reimburses the vendor for the approved service based on the payroll schedule

Excluded items list

Excluded items per OAC 5123-9-45 (D)(2) include:

Have more questions? Contact us.

We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Call: 877.659.4500
Email: customerservice@gtsd.org