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 Hawaii?
Yes, for personal care or homemaker services.
Under HAR 11-700 it is unlawful to operate a home care agency without a license from the Director of Health; OHCA handles licensing. A home care agency is one that gives personal care or homemaker services in the client's home. The rule does not cover organizations that provide only housecleaning, an individual (even one incorporated as a business), or volunteers. A nonprofit that gives only homemaker services with 90% or more volunteer staff is exempt. The rule does not mention companion-only services. For Medicaid, agencies billing companion, chore, homemaker or personal care (Provider Type 24) must be licensed as a Home Care Agency for each island.
Sources (3)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
How long does a Hawaii home care agency license last, and what does it cost?
Two years; $1,200 initial fee.
The license is valid for two years. Apply to renew at least 30 days before it expires, or it expires automatically. OHCA's application says the initial license fee is $1,200, payable to the State of Hawaii, Office of Health Care Assurance Special Fund after the application is processed. The renewal fee is not in the documents we hold.
Sources (2)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Does my agency need a separate Medicaid provider number for each island?
Yes.
Med-QUEST requires home care/personal care agencies (Provider Type 24) to have separate Medicaid provider numbers and NPIs by island, with separate numbers for Kona and Hilo on the island of Hawaii as needed. The agency must also be licensed as a Home Care Agency for each island. Enroll in HOKU, one enrollment for each provider number.
Sources (2)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What background checks do Hawaii home care workers need?
Checks at hire, then repeat name checks.
HAR 11-700 requires background checks under HRS §321-15.2 for employees and volunteers who give care or supervise staff, including the administrator. HAR 11-106 says to get the check within five working days of hire, then run a state name inquiry for each of the first two years and every two years after. For Medicaid work, MQD's standards call for a fingerprint-based criminal check plus adult and child abuse registry checks at hire and again 12 months later; after that, state name and registry checks every other year (every year for DD waiver providers).
Sources (3)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
What training does a personal care aide need in Hawaii?
A basic nurse aide course or equivalent.
HAR 11-700 defines a personal care aide as someone who has completed the basic nurse aide course in a state-approved nurse aide training program or an equivalent course, or who is a certified or licensed health care professional. MQD's requirements for state-certified nurse aide training programs set at least 100 clock hours. Your agency must also give all staff an orientation and continuing in-service education.
Sources (2)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
How many EVV visits can we edit by hand?
No more than 15% a month.
Med-QUEST allows no more than 15% of visits to be manually edited or entered each month, measured per Medicaid provider ID over a rolling 12 months. Agencies above 15% get monitoring and corrective action, and 15% of payments can be withheld until they meet the standard. Keep an issue log with ticket numbers for technical problems.
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Which Medicaid health plans operate in Hawaii?
Five.
Med-QUEST's 2025 adverse event memo and the EVV payer list name AlohaCare, HMSA, Kaiser, Ohana (Wellcare) and UnitedHealthcare as the QUEST Integration health plans. The developmental disabilities waiver is separate: it is fee-for-service, run by DOH's Developmental Disabilities Division, and its providers bill the state's Medicaid fiscal agent.
Sources (3)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Are home care staff mandated reporters of adult abuse in Hawaii?
Most likely, yes.
HRS §346-224 makes employees of any public or private agency that provides social, medical, hospital or mental health services mandated reporters. The guidelines do not name home care agencies, but they fit this wording. Report promptly to APS by phone and follow up in writing; the DHS 1640-WEB online form meets the written report requirement. A mandated reporter who knowingly fails to report is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
Sources (3)
Written and checked September 23, 2026
Can family members be paid to give personal care under Hawaii Medicaid?
Yes, in limited cases.
The 2025 extension of the 1115 demonstration gives Hawaii long-term authority to pay family caregivers and legally responsible individuals (such as a parent of a minor child or a spouse) for Personal Assistance Level I and II. This is for extraordinary circumstances, such as when other qualified caregivers can't be found, and is limited to 40 hours in a seven-day period. They must meet Hawaii's employment qualifications and training standards and use EVV to be paid.
Sources (2)
Written and checked September 23, 2026