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 DC?
Yes, in most cases.
Each home care agency serving patients in the District must be licensed by DC Health under 22-B DCMR Chapter 39. The definition covers personal care, household support and chore services for sick or disabled people living at home. The definition leaves out hospices and small-scale volunteer non-medical services by a religious organization, and DC Health's application lists homemaker and chore services. DC Health's regulations guide also lists a separate Chapter 99 for Home Support Agencies, which we don't hold, so ask HRLA which license fits a companion- or homemaker-only business.
Sources (3)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What does a DC home care agency license cost?
$600 to apply, then $400 to $1,300 a year.
The annual fee depends on how many District patients you admit in a year: $400 for 1–150, $700 for 151–750, $1,100 for 751–1,250 and $1,300 for 1,251 or more. The late fee is $100. You also need at least $1,000,000 in malpractice and $1,000,000 in general liability insurance.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Do personal care aides need to be certified in DC?
Yes, as home health aides.
The Board of Nursing's rule defines a personal care aide as someone certified as a home health aide. DHCF's personal care rule, in the 2020 emergency and proposed version we hold, requires each Medicaid personal care aide to hold that certification, plus CPR and first aid, a background check, and an individual National Provider Identifier (NPI). Certifications expire in October of each odd-numbered year.
Sources (2)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
How much training does a home health aide need?
A Board-approved program, then an exam.
Most applicants finish a Board-approved home health aide or bridge program within the past 24 months and pass the certification exam. Nurses and nursing students have other routes. The Board's model curriculum is 65 classroom + 20 lab + 40 clinical hours, and the bridge for certified nurse aides is 32 hours. The older home care agency rule sets a 75-hour minimum. After the first year of service, aides need at least 12 hours of continuing education or in-service training a year.
Sources (4)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
How often must a nurse supervise aides in DC?
At least every 62 days for non-skilled care.
Under 22-B DCMR 3915.7, a registered nurse or other health professional supervises aides on site at least every two weeks for skilled services and at least every 62 calendar days for all other services. For Medicaid personal care, the supervisory nurse also reviews each person's need for services at least every 12 months.
Sources (2)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
My clients were with Wellpoint DC. Who pays now?
AmeriHealth Caritas DC, unless they switch to MedStar.
Wellpoint DC members were moved to AmeriHealth Caritas DC on August 1, 2026, and can switch to MedStar Family Choice DC until January 31, 2027. Wellpoint pays for covered services through July 31, 2026. Prior authorizations issued before August 1 are valid through October 31, 2026. Request new ones from the member's new plan.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What does DC Medicaid pay for personal care?
$30.76 an hour ($7.69 per 15 minutes).
Since January 1, 2026, DHCF's fee-for-service rate for personal care aide services (T1019) and home health aide services (T1004) has been $30.76 an hour. The rate did not change on July 1, 2026, even though the living wage rose to $18.40.
Sources (4)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Which services need EVV in DC?
Personal care, plus fee-for-service skilled nursing and therapy.
Personal care aide services need a matching Sandata EVV record or DHCF denies the claim. Supported living (periodic only), in-home supports and respite are included too, under the State Plan, the EPD Waiver or the IDD Waiver. Since January 1, 2023, fee-for-service skilled nursing, private duty nursing and physical, occupational and speech therapy also need EVV. Sandata is free; other EVV systems are at your cost and must connect to Sandata.
Sources (2)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
How many hours of personal care can an EPD Waiver client get?
Up to 24 a day, combined.
Medicaid Director Letter 22-02 says EPD Waiver enrollees can get up to 24 hours of personal care a day: up to 16 under the waiver and up to 8 under the State Plan, if medically necessary and supported by an assessment. A 2020 rule had proposed a 16-hour total cap, which DHCF revised when CMS renewed the waiver in 2022.
Sources (2)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Can I supply aides to another agency or facility?
Only with a nurse staffing agency license.
DC Health says a nurse staffing agency must be licensed before providing nursing staff, home health aides or personal care aides to a health care facility or agency (D.C. Code § 44-1051.03). It can summarily suspend a business that operates without a license, so check the license of any staffing agency you use.
Written and checked September 23, 2026