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 Pennsylvania?
Yes.
Any organization that supplies, arranges or refers workers for personal care, help with instrumental activities of daily living, companionship, respite or specialized care in the home, for a fee, needs a home care agency or home care registry license from the Department of Health under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 611. The chapter does not apply to home health care agencies, durable medical equipment providers, volunteer providers, or organizations that only provide financial management or supports coordination services for Medicaid waiver consumers.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What is the difference between a home care agency and a home care registry?
Employees versus independent contractors.
A home care agency supplies its own employees. A home care registry refers independent contractors. You can be licensed as one or both. Before services start, the consumer must get a disclosure of the worker's status and who owes taxes and insurance; the Department's Consumer Notice of Direct Care Worker Status form is used for this.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
How much does a Pennsylvania home care license cost, and can I add a branch?
$100 per application; no branches.
The fee is $100 for each initial or renewal application, with no refunds. Send the renewal at least 60 days before your license expires. Each physical location must be licensed separately, and the Department says branch offices do not exist in home care. You may run the agency from your home, but inspections will happen there.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Can we interview caregivers by video instead of in person?
Possibly; check with the Department.
Chapter 611 says you must interview each worker face to face before hiring. The official Pennsylvania Code now notes that a 2024 law (Act 96 of 2024) overrides that rule where it is inconsistent with the law. We do not hold the text of that law. The Department of Health also has an exception request process for virtual interviews.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Can a new caregiver start work before the background check comes back?
Yes, for up to 30 or 90 days.
You may hire provisionally for up to 30 days (90 days if the person has lived in Pennsylvania less than 2 years) once they have applied for the check and sworn in writing they are not disqualified. You must monitor them through random direct observation and consumer feedback, and not assign them until they meet the competency rule. In Medicaid waiver services, a worker going into a home where children live needs the State Police, FBI and child abuse results back first; provisional hiring does not apply to those checks.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What training do home care workers need in Pennsylvania?
Competency before the first assignment.
Before assignment, a worker must hold a Pennsylvania nurse license, pass a competency test, or finish an approved training program; the rule lists the topics it must cover. You must review each worker's competency at least once a year. Medicaid waiver providers must also give yearly training on abuse prevention, critical incidents, complaints, DHS policies, the quality plan and fraud prevention.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Are home care workers mandated reporters of elder abuse in Pennsylvania?
Yes.
The Department of Aging lists home care agencies, registries and home health agencies as facilities whose employees must report under the Older Adults Protective Services Act. An employee who suspects abuse of a recipient must report orally to the local Area Agency on Aging right away and in writing within 48 hours. For sexual abuse, serious injury or a suspicious death, they must also report to law enforcement. The state hotline is 1-800-490-8505.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
What EVV compliance rate does Pennsylvania require?
85% of visits without manual edits.
Since January 1, 2025, at least 85% of verified personal care and home health visits each federal fiscal year quarter must have no manual edits, in each program you serve. Since January 2026, DHS sends alerts when manual edits exceed 15%, and two quarters in a row leads to corrective action. Run the EVV Compliance report in the DHS Aggregator to check.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Do we have to revalidate our Medicaid enrollment by December 31, 2026?
Only if DHS classes you as high-risk.
MA Bulletin 99-26-06 requires providers classed as high-risk to revalidate by December 31, 2026; DHS will email those providers. Everyone else revalidates each service location every 5 years, at least 60 days before the due date shown in PROMISe.
Written and checked September 22, 2026
Which health plans pay for home care in Pennsylvania's Medicaid program?
The Community HealthChoices plans.
CHC health plans pay for waiver services for CHC participants. The plan documents we hold come from AmeriHealth Caritas PA CHC, Keystone First CHC, PA Health & Wellness and UPMC Community HealthChoices. The current CHC Agreement runs to December 31, 2026, and DHS can extend it twice by six months. OBRA Waiver and Act 150 services are paid fee-for-service.
Written and checked September 22, 2026