Your Provider delivers and manages services
Your Provider remains responsible for services, records, Supports, communication, and decisions within the Provider's role.
For individuals, Guardians & families
Understanding the Consent Form
If your Provider has asked you to sign a consent form allowing information to be shared with Orion Quality Consulting, this page explains why the form is requested, what information may be shared, how Orion Quality Consulting uses and protects that information, and what signing does—and does not—authorize.
Start here
The relationship in three parts
The most important point is understanding the different role each organization has.
Your Provider hires Orion Quality Consulting
Orion Quality Consulting works as the Provider's consultant, helping the Provider organize information, review quality, prepare reports, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Consent permits appropriate information sharing
When consent is required, it allows the Provider to share relevant information with Orion Quality Consulting for the work described in the consent.
A consultant to the Provider
Who is Orion Quality Consulting?
Orion Quality Consulting is a private consulting company hired by Waiver Providers to assist with their own quality assurance, reporting, information organization, and quality improvement work. Orion Quality Consulting works for the Provider under a consulting agreement.
Orion Quality Consulting may review records and identify patterns or concerns on the Provider's behalf. That work is consulting assistance—not government oversight.
What Orion Quality Consulting does—and does not do
Clear boundaries help prevent confusion about the purpose of the work.
Orion Quality Consulting does
- Collect data based on the individual's Support Plan Goals
- Analyze data to identify progress, patterns, and areas needing attention
- Create clear graphs that help the Provider understand the data
- Generate Quarterly Reports for the Provider
- Assist the Provider with applicable compliance criteria and documentation expectations
Orion Quality Consulting does not
- Provide the individual's direct Supports
- Replace the Provider's responsibility for services, records, or communication
- Act for APD, Qlarant, a regulator, or a licensing agency
- Determine eligibility, funding, or authorized services
- Make medical, treatment, or service decisions for the individual
Information use
Why relevant information is needed
Accurate reports require accurate, current information.
Quality work must be based on accurate and current information. If Orion Quality Consulting sees only part of the picture, a report may miss progress, important assistance needs, health or safety considerations, or documentation that explains why a service was provided.
The information needed depends on the work the Provider has assigned. Orion Quality Consulting should receive information relevant to that work—not information for unrelated purposes.
Planning information
Support Plans, goals, preferences, desired outcomes, authorized services, and Implementation Plans.
Service information
Provider records, service notes, central files, program records, progress information, and related documentation.
Health and safety information
Medical reports, appointments, prescriptions, psychological reports, incidents, risks, and assistance needs when relevant.
Behavioral and Supports information
Behavior Plans, strategies, observations, communication needs, and information that helps explain the individual's Supports.
From information to useful work
How information may be used
Orion Quality Consulting uses relevant information to perform the work assigned by the Provider.
Quarterly Reports
Reports may summarize services, progress, significant developments, health and safety information, and matters that may need Provider follow-up.
Implementation Plans
Plans may connect Support Plan goals to practical service strategies, responsibilities, measurements, and expectations.
Quality analysis
This work may help the Provider identify patterns, incomplete information, documentation gaps, emerging concerns, and opportunities to strengthen services.
How the process generally works
- The Provider obtains and tracks consent when consent is required.
- The Provider makes relevant records available to Orion Quality Consulting.
- Authorized Orion Quality Consulting team members review and organize the information for the assigned work.
- Orion Quality Consulting prepares reports, plans, analysis, or recommendations for the Provider.
- The Provider reviews the work, follows up, and manages communication or distribution to appropriate people.
Report distribution can vary by service and Provider procedure. Ask your Provider who receives a specific report and how you may request or discuss a copy.
Privacy and information protection
How information is protected
Orion Quality Consulting uses a managed Microsoft 365 environment and operational controls designed to limit access and protect information used for Provider work.
No technology can be described as risk-free. Orion Quality Consulting's responsibility is to use appropriate safeguards, limit access, and follow documented practices.
- SharePoint storageWork information is maintained in the managed Microsoft 365 environment.
- Multifactor authenticationAccount access requires more than a password.
- Permission-based accessAccess is assigned according to work responsibilities.
- No guest accessGuest access is disabled for the environment used for this work.
- Controlled sharingCompleted work is primarily provided to the Provider.
- Archival practicesInformation and completed work are maintained or archived under documented procedures.
- Team member expectationsOrion Quality Consulting team members must protect confidential information and complete appropriate training.
- Purpose limitsInformation is used for assigned Provider consulting work.
Who is responsible for what?
Orion Quality Consulting assists with the Provider's work. The Provider keeps responsibility for operating its services and communicating with the people it serves.
The Provider
Remains responsible for
- Delivering services and supervising Supports
- Obtaining, renewing, and maintaining consent
- Maintaining complete and accurate service records
- Communicating with individuals, Guardians, families, and Waiver Support Coordinators
- Making service decisions and completing required follow-up
- Following applicable laws, rules, contracts, and program requirements
Orion Quality Consulting
Assists the Provider by
- Collecting and analyzing Support Plan Goal data
- Creating graphs and generating Quarterly Reports
- Organizing information and identifying documentation gaps
- Preparing plans, analysis, and recommendations
- Assisting with applicable compliance criteria
- Performing the work defined in the Provider agreement
FAQs
Select a question to read the answer.
Does Orion Quality Consulting work for APD or Qlarant?
No. Orion Quality Consulting is hired by the Provider as a consultant. Orion Quality Consulting does not represent APD or Qlarant and does not act as a regulator, licensing agency, or outside governing quality reviewer.
Does signing consent let Orion Quality Consulting make decisions?
No. Consent allows relevant information to be shared and used for the purpose described in the form. It does not give Orion Quality Consulting authority to make medical decisions, determine eligibility or funding, change authorized services, or replace the individual or Guardian.
Does Orion Quality Consulting need every record?
The information needed depends on the work assigned by the Provider. Orion Quality Consulting should receive information relevant to that work. You may ask the Provider which records are requested and why.
Why might medical or medication information be relevant?
Health conditions, appointments, prescriptions, allergies, risks, or medication changes can affect services, progress, safety, and assistance needs. Orion Quality Consulting may review that information when relevant to assigned work.
Who at Orion Quality Consulting can see the information?
Access is permission-based and connected to work responsibilities. Orion Quality Consulting team members should have access only when their assigned work requires it.
Who receives reports prepared by Orion Quality Consulting?
Orion Quality Consulting primarily provides completed work to the Provider. The Provider is responsible for the approved distribution process and communication with individuals, Guardians, families, and other authorized team members.
Can I ask questions before signing?
Yes. You should understand what information is requested, why it is needed, how it will be used, and who will have access. The Provider is the first point of contact about the form and the effect of your decision.
What if I do not sign or want to change my consent?
Contact the Provider. The Provider can explain the current process, whether consent can be limited or changed, and how the decision may affect work requiring access. Orion Quality Consulting may be unable to complete certain assigned work without needed authorization.
Can I ask about information that seems inaccurate?
Yes. Contact the Provider and identify what may be inaccurate or incomplete. The Provider can review its records and communicate with Orion Quality Consulting when the information affects assigned work.
Is information sold or used for advertising?
No. Orion Quality Consulting does not sell personal information or use it for advertising. Information is used for consulting, quality assurance, reporting, planning, and related Provider work.
Questions Always Welcome
Begin with your Provider for questions about the consent form, requested records, reports, or the effect of signing. For a question specifically about Orion Quality Consulting's role or information-handling practices, contact Orion Quality Consulting.
