Every answer was written and checked ahead of time, with the official document next to it. Nothing is made up on the spot.
Do I need a license to run a non-medical home care agency in Connecticut?
Yes: a DCP registration.
Any organization that employs one or more people to provide companion or homemaker services is a homemaker-companion agency and must register with the Department of Consumer Protection. Homemaker services include help with personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning and laundry. DCP's application lists a $375 fee and a surety bond of at least $10,000, and every registration expires on October 31. Agencies that give nursing or home health aide services need a DPH license.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Can a homemaker-companion agency provide personal care assistance (PCA)?
Only for DSS clients, under contract.
DCP says homemaker-companion agencies may not offer or advertise services beyond their registration, including PCA services. The one exception is a contract with DSS to give PCA services to DSS clients. Even then, the agency may not advertise PCA services. The CHCPE and PCA waivers let a DCP-registered homemaker-companion agency give agency-based PCA.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What training do homemakers and companions need?
At least 8 paid hours, from January 1, 2027.
Public Act 26-50 requires at least 8 paid hours of initial training within 90 days of hire, and at least 8 paid hours of annual continuing education from DCP's approved list. Initial training must cover a clean and safe environment (including help with dressing, bathing and toileting), spotting and reporting abuse and neglect, and reporting changes in a client's condition, plus dementia care for workers who will serve people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Initial training from another agency in the last three years counts if the worker brings the completion form.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What training does a home health aide need in Connecticut?
At least 75 hours, plus a competency evaluation.
Homemaker-home health aides of a DPH-licensed agency must finish a DPH-approved training and competency evaluation program of at least 75 hours, taught under a qualified registered nurse. People deemed to have finished the training get 10 hours of orientation from the agency before they work. An aide who goes 24 months in a row without paid nursing-related work needs a new competency evaluation.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Which background checks do I need?
It depends on your agency type.
Homemaker-companion agencies must run a comprehensive background check on every employee and have each one sign a form about past convictions and discipline. Keep both for three years after the job ends. Home health agencies are covered by DPH's long-term care background check program: a fingerprint-based check through ABCMS before offering a job to anyone with direct access to patients. The law allows conditional hiring for up to 60 days, under direct, on-site supervision, while the check is pending. A clean ABCMS check from the last three years can carry over.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Do my caregivers have to wear ID badges?
Yes.
Public Act 24-39 requires home health care, home health aide, hospice and homemaker-companion agencies to make each employee wear a badge with their name and photo at every client appointment. The rule started October 1, 2024 for home health and hospice agencies and July 1, 2025 for homemaker-companion agencies. DCP or DPH can take disciplinary action if an agency doesn't comply.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Do Medicaid health plans pay for home care in Connecticut?
No. DSS pays providers directly.
The CHCPE waiver says payments go directly to providers, through the same fiscal agent used for the rest of Medicaid. Claims go to Gainwell Technologies. CHNCT, the medical administrative services organization, reviews home health prior authorization requests. For waiver clients, the access agency authorizes services.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Which EVV system do I have to use?
Sandata, or your own certified vendor.
Providers can use the state's Sandata Agency Management system or an alternate EVV system. An alternate vendor must pass Sandata's testing and certification, and the provider must take Sandata's Aggregator training. DSS does not pay for an alternate vendor. You pick one option for all personal care visit data.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
When does home health aide care need prior authorization?
Over 14 hours a week.
Home health agencies must get prior authorization from CHNCT (or Carelon Behavioral Health, the behavioral health ASO) for more than 14 hours a week of home health aide services. For CHCPE, ABI and PCA waiver clients, the access agency handles it. Since July 1, 2025, requests without the required documents are cancelled. Initial requests need a completed CMS-485 with a signed order and a comprehensive start-of-care assessment.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What must a homemaker-companion agency's ads say?
"(Agency name) solely provides nonmedical care."
Since October 1, 2023, the statement must appear prominently at the top of each ad, web page, social media post and print or TV ad, or be spoken in audio ads. Ads may not use words about medical or health care licensure. From January 1, 2027, an agency may also say it follows all state training requirements.
Written and checked September 23, 2026