Attention Service Providers: The Department has simplified the six QIP eligibility lists into three to provide clarity about providers who qualify for the full benchmark rate (100%) effective January 1, 2025. Please take the following steps to verify your QIP eligibility status in the Provider Directory:
- Open the QIP Eligible list and search for your vendor name and number.
- If your vendor name and number are not on the QIP Eligible providers list, open the Need Survey or New Providers lists to confirm your vendor name and number have been logged.
- If your vendor name and number are not on one of the three lists, please email providerdirectory@dds.ca.gov with your vendor name and number to be logged and placed in the support queue. A team member will make contact for next steps to become eligible for QIP.
The last list update was 05/28/2025.
What is the impact to me?
Participation in the Provider Directory will be the basis for calculating the Quality Incentive Program (QIP) Payments. The Department will issue weekly listings notifying regional centers of both service providers who have met and not met the QIP requirement.
Provider Groups
QIP Eligible: Service providers on this list will receive the full benchmark rate (100 percent) based on the listed eligibility date. A key was added as of 4/15 to explain the categories of each column.
- Vendors that have not yet registered and/or completed their data submission must complete all the steps in the Provider Directory to keep the full benchmark rate no later than May 30, 2025.
Need Survey: Service providers that reported to program support that they did not complete the original survey.
- To be eligible to receive the benchmark rate, these vendors will need to create their Provider Directory account and submit their information. Service providers who register and submit will be eligible starting the service month after submitting their information within the provider directory.
- Support requests for vendors on these lists have been received and logged. A team member will make contact to provide next steps.
New Provider: New service providers, vendored after September 2024 and after the original QIP qualification window, will be eligible for the benchmark rate (100 percent) from the time of vendorization. New providers will need to submit the vendor number, vendor name, and email address to providerdirectory@dds.ca.gov in order to receive the invite link for the directory.
- Approximately 45-days from the date of vendorization, new providers will receive an invite email with a link register. They must register and submit their records in the directory within 45-days from receiving the invite to the Provider Directory to keep the benchmark rate (100 percent). Service providers who miss the 45-day window will be lowered to the base rate (90 percent) the following service month.
- New Providers will be moved from this list to the QIP Eligible list once loaded into the directory.
*The new QIP Eligible Providers list simplifies the 6 lists of eligible providers the Department previously provided. To review the archived categories, click the accordion below.
Provider Groups
- Completed All Steps: Service providers who submitted one or more records to the Provider Directory by November 29th qualify for QIP incentives.
- In the Directory, Not Submitted: Service providers that received an invitation to the Provider Directory in 2024 and have not yet submitted their records. This group needs to create their login, review records for accuracy, and click submit in order to complete the incentive activity. This group is receiving calls and reminder emails to complete the final step.
- Missing/Incorrect Data in the Directory*: Service providers on this list will receive the full benchmark rate (100 percent) effective January 1, 2025, and will need to complete all the steps once the data is loaded into the system to keep the full benchmark.
- Submitted Survey and not in Directory*: Service providers on this list will receive the full benchmark rate (100 percent) effective January 1, 2025, and will need to complete all the steps once the data is loaded into the system to keep the full benchmark.
- Did Not Complete the Original Survey*: Service providers that reported to support that they did not complete the original survey will be loaded to the directory by February 14, 2025, and will have until March 31, 2025 (45 days) to create their Provider Directory account and submit their information. Service providers who register and submit within the timeframe will be eligible to receive the benchmark rate starting the month after submitting their information within the provider directory.
- All New Vendor Numbers: New service providers, vendored after September 2024 and after the original QIP qualification window, will be eligible for the benchmark rate (100 percent) from the time of vendorization. Service providers must register and submit their records in the directory within 45-days from receiving the invite to the Provider Directory to keep the benchmark rate (100 percent). Service providers who miss the 45-day window will be lowered to the base rate (90 percent) the following service month. The Department will issue weekly listings notifying regional centers of both service providers who have met and not met this requirement.
*Some service providers may appear on multiple lists due to overlapping issues. Data in lists 3 and 4 was self-reported by service providers to our program support staff.
About the Provider Directory
Helping Californians with developmental disabilities and their families access services is central to the Department’s mission. To make provider data easier to find and use, DDS is gathering service provider information into one, centralized, online portal called the “Provider Directory.”
This Provider Directory will be developed in phases. It was released October 29, 2024, and currently, only service providers and select regional center staff can access the directory to review, validate and approve vendor data changes.
Why is this important?
With accurate data, the Provider Directory will serve two key functions:
- For advocates and families: Identify service provider options in their community.
- For service providers: Participation in the Provider Directory will be used to inform qualification for the 2025-2026 benchmark rate, as well as future QIP activities, including payment for outcome and quality measures.
Please review the applicable drop down below for role specific information and on-demand training support.
Regional centers have vital, first-hand knowledge of the providers they work with. They are responsible for reviewing and approving any changes to vendor records. Currently, access to the Provider Directory is limited to select staff members at each regional center.
Step-by-step instructions and a video demonstration are provided to support users in the process of approving or rejecting provider requests.
- Regional Center Approver Training Guide: This PDF document contains a “click by click” guide to all the steps for logging into the Provider Directory, reviewing all change requests, and approving/rejecting a change request.
- Regional Center Approver Training Video: This short training video provides a step-by-step walkthrough of all Regional Center Approver tasks outlined in the RC Approver Training Guide.
- FAQs Specific to Regional Centers
Questions or Assistance?
Email providerdirectory@dds.ca.gov or call 844-469-9022. Provide as much information as possible about your issue. Support hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Support is closed for state and federal holidays.
The Provider Directory empowers service providers to be the custodians of their vendor information. Service providers are expected to register for a Provider Directory account and review and submit their records within 45 days of receiving an invitation to register.
Do you meet criteria for inclusion in the Provider Directory?
Current criteria are listed in General FAQ #16.
Resources:
Step-by-step instructions and a video demonstration are provided to support users in registering for and using the Directory.
- Service Provider Training Guide: This PDF document contains a “click by click” guide providing all the steps for logging into the Provider Directory, confirming all vendorization data, and submitting a change request if needed.
- Service Provider Training Video: This short training video provides a step-by-step walkthrough of all service provider tasks outlined in the Service Provider Training Guide.
- FAQs Specific to Service Providers/Vendors
Service Provider Criteria and Incentives
Currently, only select service providers receive an invitation to register for the Provider Directory. For details on current inclusion criteria, check out Provider Directory General FAQ. Additional information can be found on the QIP webpage.
Need Assistance?
Please review the guide, video, or FAQ support materials above before contacting support.
Email providerdirectory@dds.ca.gov or call 844-469-9022. Provide as much information as possible about your organization and your issue. Support hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Support is closed for state and federal holidays.
- Send them a link to this Provider Directory website.
- Ask them to sign up for the Provider Directory email distribution list.
Right now, only regional centers and service providers are able to access the Provider Directory to help enter and confirm data. Future phases will focus on making the Provider Directory accessible to individuals and families.
Last modified: May 29, 2025
