Preparing for the Transition to ESDS Billing
TheraPlan is actively working to complete the Early Steps ESDS integration. Because ESSO’s integration requirements have continued to shift, there is a meaningful possibility of a temporary gap between the ESDS go-live date and the availability of a fully functional integration.
Our goal is to keep your clinic informed, reduce disruption, and help your team stay prepared for any temporary workflow changes that may be required.
What’s happening
The upcoming Early Steps billing transition requires integration between ESDS and EMR systems such as TheraPlan. We have been actively building the functionality necessary for billing data to flow directly into ESDS.
However, progress has been significantly impacted by ongoing changes in the integration requirements provided by ESSO. These evolving specifications have made it difficult to establish a stable and finalized integration path.
TheraPlan remains committed to completing this integration as quickly as possible. At the same time, we want your clinic to be prepared in case manual workflows are temporarily required in order to avoid payment disruptions.
Here’s what we know
Go-live date
ESDS is scheduled to go live on April 28th.
Legacy billing cutoff
Early Steps programs have already enforced deadlines for final DOS submissions under the current LES system.
Held charges
Newly generated Early Steps charges are currently in a holding status and cannot be billed through LES.
Best-case outcome
If the integration is fully operational by April 28th, TheraPlan will support submission of all held charges through ESDS accordingly.
Possible temporary workflow
If integration delays continue, therapists may need to manually enter DOS and documentation into ESDS for post-cutoff services until integration is finalized.
Current ESDS limitation
ESDS currently requires that therapists themselves enter service data and documentation. Administrative or billing entities are not permitted to do so on their behalf.
Why this matters
We know this transition may create added stress for clinics and therapists. Our goal is to minimize administrative burden and help you stay ahead of any workflow disruption.
If the integration is not ready in time due to unresolved or changing ESDS requirements, manual therapist entry may be the only compliant path forward until the ESDS integration is complete.
Make sure every therapist has an active ESDS account
Please ensure all therapists have active ESDS accounts and are able to log in. This will be essential if manual data entry becomes necessary during any temporary gap between ESDS go-live and full TheraPlan integration.
What TheraPlan will continue to do
TheraPlan will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
There has been considerable inconsistency in communication and requirements across local agencies, largely due to limited and evolving guidance from ESSO. Our priority is to keep your clinic informed of what can and cannot be supported on our end.
Important reminder
Your clinic has a contract with Early Steps Part C. TheraPlan does not.
Your clinic’s voice matters. If you want to make your concerns known, you should communicate directly with ESSO.
ESSO Contacts
Dusty.stern@flhealth.gov (Bureau Chief Part C)
Jessica.meyer@flhealth.gov (Early Steps Program Administrator)
Robert.French@flhealth.gov (General Operations Manager)
