HOMEMAKER SERVICES PROVIDER IN TEXAS

SUPPORTING DAILY LIVING THROUGH LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING, MEAL PREPARATION, AND HOUSEHOLD TASKS FOR MEDICAID PARTICIPANTS IN HOME AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS

Homemaker Services in Texas help individuals who are elderly or have disabilities to maintain a safe and sanitary living environment. These services are part of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) system and are available through various 1915(c) Medicaid Waiver Programs, including HCS, CLASS, DBMD, TxHmL, and STAR+PLUS HCBS. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) authorizes and monitors these services.

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1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Role: Approves homemaker services as a reimbursable support under Medicaid waivers, authorizes service plans, and monitors provider compliance.

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Regulates Medicaid funding and ensures federal standards are met for HCBS supports, including non-medical assistance services.

2. HOMEMAKER SERVICES OVERVIEW

Homemaker services are non-skilled, non-medical supports that help individuals manage basic household tasks they are unable to perform due to functional limitations.

Covered services include:

• Sweeping, vacuuming, and light mopping

• Dishwashing and cleaning kitchen surfaces

• Laundry and linen changes

• Bathroom cleaning and sanitization

• Trash disposal

• Meal preparation assistance (not direct feeding)

• Grocery or household item organization (if within the home)

These services differ from Personal Care in that they do not include hands-on assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing or dressing.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Texas Secretary of State

• Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI

• Apply for HHSC waiver provider contracts (e.g., HCS, CLASS, DBMD)

• Enroll as a provider with TMHP (Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership)

• Maintain liability insurance and workers’ comp

• Create a Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual

Note: No additional clinical license is required for non-skilled homemaker services.

4. TEXAS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

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

Step 2: Enroll with TMHP and apply for HHSC waiver contracts

Step 3: Submit staff qualifications, sample task logs, and safety protocols

Step 4: Complete readiness review and obtain provider approval

Step 5: Receive referrals and begin service delivery

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of incorporation, EIN, NPI

• TMHP and HHSC waiver approvals

• Insurance documentation

• Homemaker Services Policy Manual including:

  • Participant intake and service authorization

  • Task logs and time tracking sheets

  • Sanitation and safety standards

  • Participant privacy and rights protections

  • Abuse/neglect prevention protocols

  • Documentation and Medicaid billing forms

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Homemaker / Household Assistant

Requirements: Minimum age 18, background check, training in safe cleaning and privacy practices (no license required)

Role: Supervisor / Scheduler (optional)

Requirements: Experience with household management and service coordination

All staff must complete:

• Orientation on homemaker responsibilities

• HIPAA and participant confidentiality training

• Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention

• Documentation training for time sheets and task logs

• Infection control and safe product use

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Homemaker Services are reimbursable through:

• HCS (Home and Community-based Services)

• TxHmL (Texas Home Living)

• CLASS (Community Living Assistance and Support Services)

• DBMD (Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities)

• STAR+PLUS HCBS Waiver – Non-skilled home supports

• MDCP (Medically Dependent Children Program) – When approved in the care plan

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation & Manual Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: TMHP Enrollment & HHSC Waiver Contracting

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Staff Training & Readiness Review

Timeline: 30–45 days

Phase: Start of Service Delivery

Timeline: Once referrals and authorizations are received

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Website: https://www.hhs.texas.gov

Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP)

Website: https://www.tmhp.com

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov

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

WCG supports homemaker service providers and attendant care agencies in building compliant, person-centered operations in Texas.

Scope of Work:

• TMHP and HHSC waiver enrollment

• Homemaker Services Policy Manual & safety checklists

• Task documentation logs and time sheet templates

• Staff orientation tools and training guides

• HIPAA, abuse prevention, and supervision trackers

• Medicaid billing system setup and form templates

Continue To Our Client Portal To Get Started

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