What do I have to do when there is an incident, and how fast do I report it?
Georgia’s waiver manual says critical and non-critical incidents must be reported within 24 hours or one business day. The agency submits an Incident Report through the state’s web form within 24 hours of the incident or of finding out. The case manager sends a follow-up report within seven business days of that report.
The Georgia Medicaid waiver manual (CCSP and SOURCE) says an agency must require that all critical and non-critical incidents are reported within 24 hours or one business day.
According to the manual:
- The agency submits the Incident Report electronically through the web form within 24 hours of the incident or of when it was discovered.
- The case manager submits the follow-up and interventions report within seven business days of the incident report.
- Staff are trained at least yearly to recognize abuse, neglect and exploitation.
DCH’s HCBS Incident Reporting System page says the web-based system is the place to report, and reports for licensed agencies can go on to the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division. Questions can go to HCBS.IncidentReports@dch.ga.gov.
What to write: what happened, when, who was involved, what you did, who you told. Stick to facts.
Also, keep a copy. Under Georgia’s private home care rule, complaint and incident reports are kept at least five years.
An emergency comes first. Call 911, then report.
Sources
- Part I: EDWP (CCSP and SOURCE) General Services Policies and Procedures, Q3 July 2026 · Georgia Medicaid (GAMMIS)
- HCBS Incident Reporting System FAQs · Georgia DCH
- Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 111-8-65-.09 Administration and Organization (private home care providers) · Cornell Legal Information Institute (Georgia rules)
Reviewed by Beth Bledsoe, Care Business Advisor®, 28 Oct 2026. Rules change. Confirm with your state Medicaid agency before you act.
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