top of page
Search

HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDER IN OHIO

  • Writer: Fatumata Kaba
    Fatumata Kaba
  • Sep 17
  • 4 min read

DELIVERING MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE IN THE COMFORT OF HOME TO PROMOTE SAFETY, RECOVERY, AND INDEPENDENCE

​

Home Health Care Services in Ohio offer skilled nursing, therapy, and personal care assistance to individuals with medical or chronic conditions who require healthcare services in their homes. These services support recovery, maintain health, and reduce the need for institutionalization. Home Health Care Services are authorized under Ohio Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs and the Medicaid State Plan.

 

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM)

Role: Oversees Medicaid reimbursement and licensing standards for home health agencies (HHAs).

Agency: Ohio Department of Health (ODH)

Role: Licenses and regulates home health agencies to ensure compliance with state and federal standards.

Agency: Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD)**

Role: Coordinates home health supports for individuals with developmental disabilities when integrated into Individual Service Plans (ISPs).

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)**

Role: Ensures federal compliance for home health care delivery and Medicaid certification.

 

2. HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES OVERVIEW

Home health care involves medically necessary services prescribed by a licensed physician and delivered by licensed clinicians or certified aides.

Approved providers may deliver:

  • Skilled Nursing: Wound care, injections, medication management, chronic disease monitoring, and post-surgical care.

  • Home Health Aide Services: Assistance with bathing, dressing, mobility, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

  • Physical Therapy (PT): Restoring strength, balance, and mobility after illness or injury.

  • Occupational Therapy (OT): Supporting ADL independence through adaptive skill training.

  • Speech-Language Therapy (SLP): Helping with communication and swallowing disorders.

  • Medical Social Services: Counseling, case coordination, and access to community resources.

  • Care Coordination: Collaboration with physicians, therapists, and case managers.

  • Documentation: Recording visit notes, care plans, and progress toward recovery goals.

 

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

  • Register your business with the Ohio Secretary of State.

  • Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2).

  • Apply for licensure as a Home Health Agency through the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

  • Enroll with Ohio Medicaid through the Provider Enrollment Portal.

  • Comply with federal Conditions of Participation (CoPs) if seeking Medicare/Medicaid certification.

  • Maintain general and professional liability insurance.

  • Develop clinical protocols for nursing, therapy, home aide, infection control, and emergency preparedness.

 

4. OHIO PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Licensing Application:

  • Apply to ODH for a Home Health Agency license, specifying whether skilled care or non-skilled personal care will be delivered.

Medicaid Enrollment:

  • Once licensed, apply through ODM's Medicaid Provider Enrollment system.

Survey and Inspection:

  • ODH conducts an on-site survey to review readiness, clinical systems, safety practices, and personnel files.

Final Approval:

  • Once approved, the provider may begin billing Medicaid and delivering services in the home setting.

 

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

  • Articles of Incorporation or Business License

  • IRS EIN confirmation

  • NPI confirmation

  • Home Health Agency license (from ODH)

  • Professional and general liability insurance

  • Home Health Care Policy & Procedure Manual including:

    • Skilled nursing, therapy, and aide care protocols

    • Emergency response and infection control procedures

    • Staff credentialing, licensure, and supervision standards

    • Clinical documentation systems and HIPAA protocols

    • Client rights and grievance resolution

    • Quality assurance and incident reporting systems

    • Billing logs and Medicaid documentation templates

 

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Administrator / Clinical Supervisor

Requirements: RN license with supervisory experience and training in home health regulations.

Role: Registered Nurses (RNs)

Requirements: Active Ohio RN license; experience in home-based or chronic care.

Role: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)

Requirements: Ohio LPN license; delegated nursing tasks under RN supervision.

Role: Home Health Aides (HHAs)

Requirements: State-tested nursing assistant (STNA) certification or equivalent training; CPR/First Aid certified.

Role: Therapists (PT, OT, SLP)**

Requirements: Licensed in Ohio; Medicaid enrolled; must follow physician orders.

Role: Medical Social Workers (MSWs)**

Requirements: Master’s degree in social work; licensed; experience in community-based care.

All staff must complete:

  • HIPAA, infection control, and documentation training

  • Annual competencies and license renewals

  • Background checks, TB tests, and health screenings

  • Emergency preparedness and incident reporting training

 

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Home Health Care Services are available under the following programs:

  • Ohio Home Care Waiver – for medically fragile individuals living at home

  • PASSPORT Waiver – for older adults needing skilled or personal care

  • Individual Options (IO) Waiver – for DD individuals needing nursing or therapy

  • SELF and Level One Waivers – limited home health under budgeted services

  • State Plan Medicaid – covers home health with prior authorization

  • MyCare Ohio – managed long-term care for dual-eligible individuals

 

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Compliance Planning

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Policy Development & ODH Licensing

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Survey Readiness & Medicaid Enrollment

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Service Activation & Billing Setup

Timeline: 30–45 days

 

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Ohio Department of Health (ODH)

Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM)

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

​

OHIO HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDER

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — OHIO HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG helps agencies launch and scale compliant Home Health Care operations across Ohio, offering:

​

Scope of Work:

  • Business registration, ODH licensing, and Medicaid enrollment

  • Development of clinical protocols and emergency response plans

  • Staff credentialing systems and audit-ready documentation tools

  • Medicaid billing setup, EVV integration, and recordkeeping templates

  • Branding, website creation, and outreach to case managers and referral sources

  • Quality assurance programs, chart reviews, and compliance tracking

  • Support for integrating personal care, therapy, and nursing services under one roof



Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements. 

bottom of page