PERSONAL ATTENDANT SERVICES PROVIDER IN ILLINOIS

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH HANDS-ON ASSISTANCE WITH DAILY LIVING TASKS

Personal Attendant Services in Illinois provide one-on-one support to individuals with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or age-related limitations to help them perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). These services are authorized under Illinois Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs and promote independent living in the participant’s home or community setting.

​​1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)

Role: Administers Medicaid funding for Personal Attendant Services, oversees provider enrollment, quality monitoring, and reimbursement processes

Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) — Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Role: Manages service authorizations, case management, and compliance with HCBS regulations for Personal Attendant providers

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight, ensuring that Medicaid-funded Personal Attendant Services meet HCBS Settings Rule, person-centered planning, and participant rights standards

2. PERSONAL ATTENDANT SERVICE OVERVIEW

Personal Attendant Services offer individualized support designed to help participants complete essential daily activities that they would otherwise be unable to perform independently.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, eating, mobility, and transferring

• Assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, shopping, and medication reminders

• Support for health maintenance tasks as allowed under delegated tasks or consumer direction

• Cueing, supervision, and prompting to perform tasks independently

• Companionship and assistance with accessing community activities as outlined in the participant’s service plan

All services must be tied to the participant’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP) or authorized Medicaid Plan of Care.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business entity with the Illinois Secretary of State

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

• Enroll as a Medicaid Waiver Personal Attendant Services provider through the Illinois Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal (IMPACT system)

• Maintain general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance (if applicable)

• Develop comprehensive policies for personal assistance service delivery, participant safety, emergency procedures, and documentation

• Ensure all attendants complete required background checks, health screenings, and training programs before providing services

4. ILLINOIS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit Provider Enrollment Application through the IMPACT system for Personal Attendant Services under the appropriate HCBS waiver programs

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, insurance certificates, operational policies, and staff credentialing and training documentation

Program Readiness Review:

• DHS and/or HFS conduct reviews to ensure provider readiness in staffing, participant safety protocols, Medicaid billing processes, and documentation standards

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon approval, providers are assigned billing codes for Personal Attendant Service delivery (hourly or 15-minute unit billing based on waiver program)

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Illinois Secretary of State)

• IRS EIN confirmation

• NPI confirmation

• Proof of general liability and worker’s compensation insurance

• Personal Attendant Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:

  • Participant intake, service plan implementation, and documentation procedures

  • ADL/IADL assistance protocols, emergency preparedness plans, and participant rights policies

  • Staff hiring, training, supervision, and background screening policies

  • HIPAA compliance, confidentiality, and grievance procedures

  • Medicaid billing, service tracking, and audit readiness documentation

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Program Director / Personal Attendant Supervisor

Requirements: Background in healthcare, human services, or personal assistance management preferred; supervisory experience; background clearance

Role: Personal Attendants / Direct Support Workers

Requirements: High school diploma or GED preferred; CPR/First Aid certification recommended; successful completion of attendant-specific training programs (personal care assistance, infection control, abuse prevention); background screening clearance

All staff must complete:

• Participant rights, abuse prevention, and HIPAA confidentiality training

• Infection control and emergency response training

• ADL/IADL assistance training and competency evaluations

• Annual continuing education and skills competency reassessment

7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Personal Attendant Services are available under the following Illinois Medicaid waivers:

• Persons with Disabilities (PD) Waiver

• Persons with Brain Injury (BI) Waiver

• Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver

• Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver

• Elderly Waiver (Community Care Program) — through caregiver and personal support assistance

Approved providers may deliver:

• In-home personal assistance with ADLs and IADLs

• Supervision, cueing, and support for daily activities

• Health maintenance tasks are delegated under participant self-direction programs

• Companion services promoting social engagement and community access

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation and Program Compliance Preparation

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Personal Assistance Program Development

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: IMPACT Medicaid Provider Enrollment and Readiness Review

Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Medicaid Billing Setup and Personal Attendant Services Launch

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)

Website: https://www.hfs.illinois.gov/

Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS)

Website: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Website: https://www.cms.gov/

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ILLINOIS PERSONAL ATTENDANT SERVICES PROVIDER

WCG assists personal care assistance agencies, direct support organizations, and home care companies in launching Medicaid-compliant Personal Attendant Services across Illinois.

Scope of Work:

• Business registration, Medicaid enrollment, and personal assistance compliance guidance

• Development of Personal Attendant Services Policy & Procedure Manual

• Staff credentialing templates, participant intake forms, and service documentation templates

• Medicaid billing system setup and claims management support

• Website, domain, and professional branding development

• Caregiver training program templates and participant satisfaction survey tools

• Quality assurance systems for service delivery monitoring, incident reporting, and rights compliance

• Referral development with waiver service coordinators, healthcare providers, and community partners

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.