Regulations for Home Health Agencies

Home health care agency requirements vary from state to state; however, there is one set of requirements for home health care agencies that depend on payments from Medicare. Medicare pays out more revenue to home health care agencies than all the other insurance companies combined. If a home health care agency desires financial viability, it must abide by Medicare requirements.

In-Home Nursing Care

• Home health care organizations or agencies provide a variety of nursing services for patients in need of skilled nursing care in their homes. The cost of nursing care services is less expensive when delivered in the patient's home than in a hospital or nursing home.

Professional care

• The service requirements of a home health care agency are to provide nursing services, licensed nutritional or dietary professionals, physical therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists and speech therapists.

Medical Supplies and Equipment

• Home health care agencies are required to provide the medical supplies and equipment necessary to deliver quality health care. All home health care agencies must be licensed by the state in which they provide services. Each state's Department of Health is responsible for overseeing and regulating the services provided by home health care agencies.

Medicare Coverage

• Medicare covers most patients receiving home care nursing services.

Licensing Procedures

• Each home health care agency must submit an application to the state in which it will operate along with an application fee. Included in the application is a description of agency's organizational structure. The names of officers of the agency, its officers, the administrator, directors, partners, managers and those owning 10 percent or more of the home health care organization must be identified.
  The service area must be identified along with the management plan and how the home health care professionals will be supervised to ensure quality medical care.
  If the home health care agency has affiliates or branch offices, it must provide the names and addresses of the affiliate locations. A complete description of the nursing services that will be provided must be identified along with a criminal background check of all health care providers.
  Home health care agencies must submit a copy of the current business license and proof of insurance that covers professional liability, public liability and property damage.

Federal Requirements

• Federal requirements for a home health care organization is that it obtains a state license to operate and submit to a survey or an interview that consist of a visit to the corporate office of the home health care main office by the Department of Health employees.

  Medicare requirements for home health care agencies include a state license, approval of the Department of Health, background check of all employees, proof of professional insurance and proof that the nursing staff is state licensed.