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 Minnesota?
Yes, a basic home care license, in most cases.
Help with dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming or self-feeding, standby help, and medication reminders are home care services and need an MDH license. Chores such as laundry and housekeeping are covered by the basic license only when you also give one of those services. Providers of only home management (at least two of housekeeping, meal preparation and shopping) register with MDH instead. Some people are excluded, such as someone who only cares for a relative, or who does basic home care for no more than 14 hours a week for one client.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What is the difference between a basic and a comprehensive home care license?
Comprehensive adds nursing and medication management.
A basic license covers help with personal care tasks, standby help, reminders, modified diets and, with those, household chores. A comprehensive license adds nurse and therapist services, tasks delegated by a registered nurse, medication management, treatments and therapies, and hands-on help with transfers. A comprehensive provider needs extra policies, for example on RN assessment and delegation.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
How much does a Minnesota home care license cost?
$2,100 basic or $4,200 comprehensive to start.
New providers apply through the MDH licensing portal for a temporary license. Licenses last up to one year. Renewal fees depend on the previous year's home care revenue, from $231 (no more than $25,000) to $7,651 (over $1.5 million). Apply to renew at least 30 days before the license expires. All fees are nonrefundable.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Does a PCA or CFSS agency need an MDH home care license?
No, but it must enroll with DHS.
The home care law exempts providers of Medicaid personal care assistance, and the CFSS law says CFSS supports are not home care services. These agencies enroll with DHS instead. They need a surety bond ($50,000, or $100,000 if Medicaid revenue was over $300,000 last year), a $20,000 fidelity bond for each location, and workers' compensation and liability insurance. CFSS agencies must also have an office in Minnesota.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What are Minnesota's EVV compliance targets?
80% from July 1, 2026.
DHS began enforcing EVV on Jan. 1, 2026, at 50%, with the threshold set to rise to 80% on July 1, 2026 (DHS notice, March 2026). A compliance report from HHAeXchange arrives around the 25th of each month. Providers below the threshold get corrective action notices in their MN–ITS mailbox. The state's EVV system is free; other systems are allowed if they meet DHS requirements.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Can I enroll as a new CFSS agency or add waiver services right now?
Check with DHS first: both were paused in early 2026.
From Jan. 27, 2026, DHS froze new enrollments in 13 Medicaid service categories identified as high risk for fraud; its January 2026 list of 13 high-risk services includes CFSS and PCA agencies and companion care. The freeze was initially slated to last six months, and the documents we hold don't say whether it was extended. Separately, the 245D licensing moratorium (Jan. 1, 2026, expected to end Dec. 31, 2027) stops new 245D applications and new service lines.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Which Medicaid health plans serve seniors in Minnesota?
Seven plans in 2026.
For MSHO and MSC+ in 2026, DHS lists Blue Plus, HealthPartners, Itasca Medical Care, Medica, PrimeWest Health, South Country Health Alliance and UCare. Choices vary by county, from one to four plans. Blue Plus is offered in every county. People with Medicare in UCare need a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What training do home care aides need in Minnesota?
Competency testing, orientation and 8 hours a year.
Unlicensed staff must pass a training and competency evaluation, or a written or oral test and a skills test, on topics set out in the law. All staff giving direct home care need an orientation to the home care rules before they start, and at least eight hours of training every 12 months, including maltreatment reporting and infection control. PCA and CFSS workers take the state's standardized training instead (CFSS workers must also pass a certification test).
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Are home care workers mandated reporters in Minnesota?
Yes.
Licensed home care providers and PCA and CFSS providers count as "facilities" under the Vulnerable Adults Act, and people who provide services in a facility are mandated reporters. They must report suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult right away to the common entry point.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
How much of PCA and CFSS pay must go to workers?
At least 72.5%.
PCA and CFSS agencies must document that at least 72.5% of the revenue from these rates goes to worker wages and benefits. For CFSS, 100% of revenue from a rate increase under a collective bargaining agreement must go to wages and benefits. Rates are tiered by worker experience, from Base to Level 4.
Written and checked September 22, 2026