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Arkansas - Homemaker Service — Licensing, Medicaid Enrollment and Startup Requirements

Last reviewed: 2026-09-09

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Medical Services (DMS) funds Homemaker services primarily through the ARChoices in Homecare 1915(c) waiver, requiring providers to first obtain an In-Home Care Agency or Class B Home Health Agency license from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The service covers general household activities like meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeeping for adults with physical disabilities and seniors who cannot perform these tasks independently.

Before a provider can submit the DMS-652 Medicaid enrollment application to Gainwell Technologies, they must secure formal waiver certification from the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS). Operating without the prerequisite ADH licensure and DAABHS certification results in an automatic rejection of the Medicaid enrollment application.

1. Service Definition and Scope

In Arkansas, Homemaker services are defined under the ARChoices in Homecare waiver as general household activities provided by a trained homemaker when the individual regularly responsible for these activities is temporarily absent or unable to manage the home. The service is designed to maintain a safe and healthy living environment.

This service is strictly for household support and does not include hands-on personal care, which Arkansas categorizes and bills separately as Attendant Care or Personal Care services.

2. Regulatory and Oversight Agencies

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) regulates the physical licensure of agencies providing in-home services. The Department of Human Services (DHS) manages the Medicaid program and waiver operations.

Within DHS, the Division of Medical Services (DMS) handles Medicaid policy and provider enrollment, while the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS) manages the ARChoices waiver certification.

3. Gatekeeping Prerequisites: Who Can Even Apply

Arkansas requires a strict sequence of approvals before a provider can bill Medicaid for Homemaker services. An applicant cannot simply enroll as a Medicaid provider; they must first establish a licensed agency.

The state mandates that all Homemaker providers hold an active license from ADH and receive specific waiver certification from DAABHS before the Medicaid enrollment portal will accept their application.

4. Licensure and Certification Requirements

To obtain the prerequisite license, agencies must apply through the ADH Health Facility Services section. The state requires a comprehensive review of the agency's operating policies, administrative structure, and financial solvency.

Following application submission, ADH conducts an initial on-site survey to verify compliance with state health and safety regulations for in-home care providers.

5. Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Once licensed and certified, providers enroll in Arkansas Medicaid through the MMIS portal managed by Gainwell Technologies. The process requires submitting the DMS-652 form and signing the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Contract.

Providers must pay the federal application fee unless they have already paid it to Medicare or another state's Medicaid program within the current enrollment cycle.

6. Staffing, Training and Background Checks

Arkansas enforces strict background and training standards for all staff entering a beneficiary's home. Agencies must ensure all homemakers clear state and national registries before client contact.

Training must cover basic household safety, infection control, and recognizing signs of abuse or neglect.

7. Documentation, Policies and Records

Providers must maintain detailed records of all services delivered, aligning exactly with the DAABHS-approved Person-Centered Service Plan. Arkansas Medicaid requires strict adherence to record retention policies.

Agencies must also maintain written policies for incident reporting, grievance procedures, and emergency preparedness.

8. Billing, Rates and Claims

Homemaker services are billed to Arkansas Medicaid in 15-minute increments. Providers must use the state's mandated Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system to substantiate all claims.

Services cannot be billed without a prior authorization generated by the DAABHS care coordinator and loaded into the MMIS system.

9. Approval Sequence and Timeline

Becoming a Homemaker provider in Arkansas is a multi-stage process that typically takes several months. Providers must complete each step sequentially, as downstream agencies will not accept applications without upstream approvals.

Delays often occur during the ADH licensure survey phase or if background checks for key personnel are returned with errors.

10. Common Denials and Survey Findings

State surveyors and Medicaid auditors frequently cite providers for administrative and documentation failures. The most severe penalties arise from background check violations.

Failure to properly utilize the EVV system will result in immediate claim denials and potential recoupment of funds.

11. Key Contacts and Resources

Providers should rely on the official Arkansas DHS and ADH websites for the most current manuals, forms, and fee schedules. The ARChoices Provider Manual is the primary rulebook for this service.

Gainwell Technologies serves as the primary contact for portal access and claims resolution.

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