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 Illinois?
Yes — a Home Services Agency license.
IDPH licenses home services agencies under 210 ILCS 55 and 77 Ill. Adm. Code 245. Home services are non-medical: help with daily activities, housekeeping, medication reminding, cooking, shopping and companionship. The fee is $1,500. IDPH also issues a separate home services placement agency license ($500); ask IDPH which one fits if you only place workers with clients.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What is the difference between home services, home nursing and home health in Illinois?
Non-medical, nursing, or nursing plus therapy.
A home services agency gives non-medical help and may not provide skilled services. A home nursing agency gives skilled nursing and home health aide services. A home health agency gives skilled nursing and at least one other home health service, such as therapy or medical social services. Each is a separate IDPH license.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
When do I have to send my IDPH license renewal?
Postmarked 60 days before it expires.
IDPH must receive a complete renewal application and fee, postmarked no later than the 60th day before your license expires. If it is later, IDPH charges a $200 late fee before it will process the renewal. The reminder IDPH sends at least 120 days ahead is only a courtesy.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Which workers need a Health Care Worker Registry background check?
Unlicensed direct care staff.
Health care employers must make sure unlicensed staff who give direct care, such as home health aides and personal care assistants, have a fingerprint-based check through the IDPH Health Care Worker Registry. Licensed staff such as nurses are not run through the Registry. Before sending someone for fingerprints, search the six listed registries. A worker whose Registry status is “Ineligible” cannot be hired.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What EVV compliance rate does Illinois require?
75% of visits each quarter.
At least 75% of your visits in each state fiscal-year quarter must capture all six federal elements without manual entry or editing. Each program (IDoA, DRS, DDD, DSCC and HFS State Plan) is measured separately, and the rate does not carry over from one quarter to the next. Missing the mark three quarters in a row leads to a referral to the HFS Office of Inspector General.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Can we enter a missed EVV clock-out by hand?
Yes, but it counts as noncompliant.
Manual entry is allowed when a caregiver cannot clock in or out, but the visit counts against your 75%. Visit times must show when care really happened; round for billing only when you build the claim. If a system outage forces an edit, give the outage as the edit reason.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Which Medicaid health plans pay for home care in Illinois?
Five LTSS plans.
Aetna Better Health of Illinois, Blue Cross Community Health Plans, Meridian and Molina serve every county; CountyCare serves Cook County only. For people with both Medicare and Medicaid, four FIDE SNP plans took over from MMAI on January 1, 2026. Plans may use only providers approved by the waiver's state agency.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
How do I become a Community Care Program (CCP) in-home service provider?
Apply to IDoA for certification.
Send IDoA a legal entity application and a separate in-home service application for each Planning and Service Area you want to serve. You need at least three years of experience providing in-home service, one of them in Illinois. IDoA may adjust this, for example for national accreditation. An IDPH license does not count toward that experience.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Are home care staff mandated reporters of adult abuse in Illinois?
Many are.
Under the Adult Protective Services Act, mandated reporters include professionals and their delegates while caring for eligible adults, and staff of Department on Aging provider agencies. They must report suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation within 24 hours when the adult cannot seek help. Call the local APS agency or the 24-hour hotline, 1-866-800-1409.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
How much training do CCP homecare aides need?
24 hours to start, 12 a year.
New homecare aides need 24 hours of training before they start, and the agency tests their skills. After that they need at least 12 hours a year. The draft waiver renewal for October 1, 2026 says 2 of those hours must be dementia training.
Written and checked September 22, 2026