HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Fatumata Kaba
Oct 15
3 min read

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY THROUGH NON-MEDICAL HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND AGE-RELATED LIMITATIONS

Homemaker Services in South Dakota offer essential non-medical support to individuals who need help managing household tasks due to disability, aging, or chronic illness. These services allow Medicaid waiver participants to remain safely in their homes while promoting autonomy and dignity. Homemaker support is authorized through several Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, including the CHOICES Waiver, Family Support 360, and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Waiver for the elderly.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: South Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS) – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Role: Approves and monitors homemaker service providers under the CHOICES and Family Support 360 Waivers.

Agency: South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) – Division of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)

Role: Manages homemaker services for older adults under the state’s aging-related HCBS waiver.

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

Role: Oversees federal compliance for all Medicaid-funded HCBS services.

2. HOMEMAKER SERVICES OVERVIEW

Homemaker services include routine household tasks that the individual is unable to complete alone due to functional limitations. These supports are not medical in nature but are critical to maintaining a clean, safe, and habitable environment.

Approved providers may offer:

Light Housekeeping: Vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces
Laundry Assistance: Washing, drying, folding, and putting away clothes
Meal Preparation: Planning and preparing meals based on dietary needs
Bed Making and Linen Changes
Grocery Shopping and Errand Running (when authorized)
Documentation: Service logs, timesheets, and communication with case managers

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the South Dakota Secretary of State
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll as a homemaker service provider through DHS-DDD (for disabilities waivers) or DSS-LTSS (for aging-related waivers)
Hire trained and screened staff to deliver in-home non-medical services
Develop a Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual
Carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance

4. SOUTH DAKOTA PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Establish your business and obtain EIN/NPI

Step 2: Submit a provider application to DHS-DDD or DSS-LTSS

Step 3: Provide staff documentation, background check records, and sample service logs

Step 4: Complete readiness review or training (if required)

Step 5: Begin receiving referrals through waiver case managers or service coordinators

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

EIN, NPI, and business registration
Medicaid provider approval confirmation
Liability and workers’ comp insurance
Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Task checklists and care protocols
- Emergency and backup plans
- Documentation logs and billing procedures
- Participant confidentiality and rights protocols
- Service frequency and care scope documentation
- Communication and incident reporting templates

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Homemaker / Direct Support Staff

Requirements:

Background check, basic training in home management
CPR/First Aid (recommended)
Understanding of waiver participant rights and safety

All staff must complete:

HIPAA and abuse prevention training
Documentation and timesheet logging procedures
Emergency protocol training
Annual performance and safety reviews

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Homemaker services are billable under:

CHOICES Waiver – For adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Family Support 360 Waiver – For children and adults with disabilities in family homes
LTSS HCBS Waiver – For elderly adults requiring support to remain at home
State Plan Personal Care – May cover limited home support based on medical necessity

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Manual Creation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Provider Enrollment & Readiness Review

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Hiring & Training

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Service Launch

Timeline: Upon receiving participant referrals and plan authorizations

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

South Dakota Department of Human Services – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Website: https://dhs.sd.gov