HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER IN PENNSYLVANIA

Fatumata Kaba
Oct 8
3 min read

PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY THROUGH NON-MEDICAL SUPPORTS THAT HELP INDIVIDUALS MAINTAIN THEIR HOMES AND DAILY ROUTINES

Homemaker Services in Pennsylvania are Medicaid-funded supports that assist individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or aging-related limitations in maintaining a clean, safe, and functional home environment. These non-medical services are provided under Pennsylvania’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers through the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) and coordinated by Community HealthChoices (CHC) Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) – Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL)

Role: Oversees waiver services that fund homemaker supports for eligible individuals.

Agency: Community HealthChoices (CHC) Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)

Role: Authorize homemaker services and coordinate care plans and reimbursement.

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

Role: Provides federal oversight of Medicaid-funded HCBS services, including homemaker support.

Agency: Pennsylvania Department of State

Role: Registers provider businesses offering homemaker or personal assistance services.

2. HOMEMAKER SERVICES OVERVIEW

Homemaker Services offer in-home assistance with household tasks and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to help individuals remain safely in their own homes.

Approved providers may deliver:

Light Housekeeping: Dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, and general room cleaning.
Laundry Support: Washing, drying, folding, and putting away clothes and linens.
Meal Preparation: Cooking basic meals in line with dietary instructions or cultural preferences.
Errands & Grocery Shopping: Running household errands or assisting clients with shopping needs.
Organization: Tidying living areas, rotating seasonal clothing, organizing medications (non-clinical), etc.
Companionship (non-medical): Social interaction and light supervision.
Documentation: Task logs, visit notes, and billing records.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the PA Department of State.
Obtain an EIN from the IRS and a Type 2 NPI.
Enroll as a Medicaid provider in the PROMISe™ system.
Contract with CHC MCOs as a provider of homemaker or personal assistance services.
Maintain liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Develop a Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual compliant with OLTL and MCO requirements.

Note: A separate Home Care Agency license is not required if your services are strictly non-medical and do not involve ADLs.

4. PENNSYLVANIA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Form a legal business entity and secure EIN, NPI, and insurance.

Step 2: Enroll in PROMISe™ as a provider of non-medical waiver services.

Step 3: Contract with CHC MCOs serving your region (e.g., UPMC, PA Health & Wellness, Keystone First).

Step 4: Submit staff background checks, service descriptions, and policy documentation.

Step 5: Begin receiving referrals and authorizations for homemaker services.

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation and business registration
EIN and NPI confirmations
Insurance certificates (liability and workers’ comp)
MCO provider contract confirmation
Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Client intake and task scheduling procedures
- Service documentation and visit note templates
- Grievance, incident reporting, and emergency protocols
- Staff supervision, training, and conduct expectations
- Cultural sensitivity and confidentiality guidelines
- Billing templates and service verification forms
- EVV (Electronic Visit Verification) process (if required)

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Homemaker / Housekeeping Aide

Requirements: Background check, CPR/First Aid (recommended), and training in IADL task delivery.

Role: Program Coordinator / Scheduler

Requirements: Oversees service assignments, client communication, and staff documentation compliance.

All staff must complete:

HIPAA and participant privacy training
Abuse prevention and safety protocols
Documentation standards and timekeeping procedures
Cultural competency and disability awareness (recommended)
Annual performance reviews and refresher training

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Homemaker Services are funded through:

Community HealthChoices (CHC): For adults 21+ who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
Independence Waiver (OLTL): For adults with physical disabilities requiring household support.
OBRA and Aging Waivers (OLTL): For individuals needing long-term services to prevent institutionalization.

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration & Policy Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment & MCO Contracting

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Training & Background Checks

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Referral Activation & Service Launch

Timeline: Begins once service authorizations are approved by CHC MCOs

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

PA Department of Human Services – OLTL

Website: https://www.dhs.pa.gov

PROMISe™ Medicaid Provider Portal

Website: https://promise.dpw.state.pa.us

CHC MCO Contacts:

UPMC CHC – https://www.upmchealthplan.com
PA Health & Wellness – https://www.pahealthwellness.com
Keystone First CHC – https://www.keystonefirstchc.com

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov

PA Department of State – Business Services

Website: https://www.dos.pa.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — PENNSYLVANIA HOMEMAKER PROVIDER

WCG helps Homemaker Service providers in Pennsylvania launch compliant, efficient programs that support dignity, autonomy, and community-based living.

Scope of Work: