Historic Rate Increases

From DODD's official website: “To recognize and value the work of DSPs is to recognize and value the people they support,” Director Hauck said in budget testimony.

The DeWine-Husted budget recognizes Ohio’s DD system's most pressing issue: having enough Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities. The budget addresses this issue by investing a historic $1.3 billion into provider rates so DSPs can get paid more.

Starting January 1, 2024, and again on July 1, 2024, DD providers will bill at significantly higher Medicaid reimbursement rates. The DeWine-Husted administration and the Ohio General Assembly expect these higher reimbursement rates to lead directly to increased wages for DSPs, and that over the next two years we will see an average DSP wage across the state of at least $18 per hour.

It is ultimately up to each employer (agency provider) to determine how they use the increased reimbursement rates. DODD pays a reimbursement rate to a Medicaid provider to deliver a Medicaid service, not a specific wage for specific types of employees. Actual wages of DSPs vary by employer and will depend on the reimbursement rate the provider receives, the variety of services billed for, and agency business decisions.

When the increased reimbursement rates from the budget are fully implemented, DODD expects that required provider data reporting will show the statewide average wage of DSPs will be at least $18 per hour.

DODD will annually require information from providers to submit wage and compensation data of DSPs. As required in Ohio law through the budget bill, DODD will annually share this information with the Ohio General Assembly.

DODD strongly encourages providers to be transparent and communicate with DSPs about how increases are being used. DSPs should talk to their employers to understand what the increased reimbursement rates mean for them.

View a one pager on what rates increases mean for DSPs.

View a one pager on what rate increases mean for providers.

Learn more about the historic DeWine-Husted on DODD’s budget webpage.