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HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER IN TENNESSEE

  • Writer: Fatumata Kaba
    Fatumata Kaba
  • 3 days ago
  • 3 min read

SUPPORTING DAILY LIVING AND INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN THEIR OWN HOMES

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Homemaker Services in Tennessee help individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses maintain their independence by providing assistance with household tasks that they cannot complete on their own. These non-medical services are available through TennCare’s Employment and Community First (ECF) CHOICES, 1915(c) Waivers, and other home and community-based service (HCBS) programs for Medicaid-eligible individuals.

 

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid)

Role: Administers funding and oversight for Homemaker Services under Medicaid State Plan and waiver programs.

Agency: Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)

Role: Approves homemaker service providers and monitors service delivery under relevant waiver programs.

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

Role: Establishes federal guidelines for Medicaid-funded homemaker services and HCBS compliance.

 

2. HOMEMAKER SERVICES OVERVIEW

Homemaker Services focus on non-medical assistance with routine household tasks necessary to maintain a clean, safe, and supportive home environment. These services are tailored to the participant’s functional limitations and outlined in their Individual Support Plan (ISP) or care plan.

Covered tasks may include:

  • Light housekeeping (vacuuming, dusting, sweeping)

  • Laundry and linen changing

  • Dishwashing and kitchen cleaning

  • Meal preparation (non-specialized diets)

  • Grocery shopping and errand running (with or on behalf of the participant)

  • Trash removal and organizing living spaces

  • Mail and appointment organization

These services do not include hands-on personal care unless the provider is also approved for Personal Care Services.

 

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

  • Register business with the Tennessee Secretary of State

  • Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI

  • Apply for provider approval through DIDD or TennCare (depending on waiver type)

  • Maintain general liability insurance and workers' compensation (if employing staff)

  • Develop a Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual

 

4. TENNESSEE PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Form a business entity and acquire EIN/NPI

Step 2: Submit the provider application to DIDD or through the TennCare MCO portals

Step 3: Provide documentation of staff training, service procedures, and risk protocols

Step 4: Participate in ISP team meetings and service planning (if applicable)

Step 5: Receive service authorizations and begin providing support in participants’ homes

 

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

  • Articles of Incorporation, EIN, NPI confirmation

  • Proof of liability insurance and staff background checks

  • Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual, including:

    • Scope of tasks and service delivery limits

    • Emergency procedures and safety protocols

    • Participant consent and service agreement templates

    • ISP coordination and documentation standards

    • Staff training procedures (cleaning, infection control, boundaries)

    • Billing and scheduling logs

    • Incident reporting and satisfaction tracking

 

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Homemaker / Housekeeping Support Worker

Requirements: Must pass background checks, complete TennCare-approved training, and demonstrate understanding of infection control and respectful boundaries

Optional Role: Supervisor or Coordinator (for agencies)

Requirements: Experience managing in-home support services and coordinating with care teams

All staff must complete:

  • Orientation on HCBS rights and person-centered service

  • Safety and infection control training

  • Confidentiality and HIPAA compliance

  • ISP documentation procedures

  • Abuse prevention and mandatory reporting training

 

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Homemaker Services are available under:

  • ECF CHOICES Waiver – For individuals with I/DD requiring support to maintain a clean and safe home

  • 1915(c) Waivers (Comprehensive or SD Waiver) – For adults with disabilities or aging-related needs

  • Katie Beckett Program (Part B) – If services are supported, continued in-home living

  • TennCare CHOICES (Aging & Disability Program) – For eligible older adults needing assistance with IADLs

 

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration & Policy Manual Development

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: TennCare or DIDD Provider Enrollment

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Hiring & Compliance Training

Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase: Service Delivery Begins

Timeline: Once authorizations are received and ISP participation begins

 

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid Program)

Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

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HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER IN TENNESSEE

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

WCG provides comprehensive support for launching Homemaker Services in Tennessee, from enrollment to documentation.

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Scope of Work:

  • Provider enrollment support through DIDD or TennCare

  • Homemaker Services Policy Manual development

  • Staff training packets and scheduling templates

  • Client service logs, consent forms, and emergency response plans

  • Compliance guidance and incident tracking tools

  • HCBS documentation and billing worksheets



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

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