Starting an Arkansas Home Health or Home Care Agency?

This page presents three common startup paths:

• Arkansas Medicare Home Health Agency — skilled home health services with Arkansas approval and federal Medicare certification.
• Arkansas Home Health Agency — skilled services without Medicare billing unless separately certified.
• Arkansas Private Care Agency — a licensed agency offering nonmedical personal care, attendant, homemaker, and companion services within its approved scope.

The Arkansas Department of Health licenses Home Health Agencies and Private Care Agencies under separate rules. Medicare certification and Arkansas Medicaid or ARChoices participation are additional, separate processes.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), Health Facility Services, licenses and surveys Home Health Agencies and Private Care Agencies. The Arkansas Department of Human Services separately administers Medicaid and ARChoices provider requirements.

Arkansas Code § 20-10-812 lists a $1,000 annual Home Health Agency license fee and a $100 annual subunit fee. Private Care Agency applicants should verify the current fee in the ADH application packet before filing because fees and instructions may change.

Yes. An agency providing personal-care services in clients’ residences generally must obtain an Arkansas Private Care Agency license. The startup process includes:

• ADH application, ownership, office, administrator, service, and supporting information.
• Arkansas-specific policies, client records, personnel screening, training, competency, and supervision systems.
• The current application or license fee and successful inspection or survey readiness.
• Separate Arkansas Medicaid or ARChoices certification and enrollment before billing those programs.

Yes. Home Health Agencies and Private Care Agencies must identify qualified management that meets the requirements applicable to the license and services offered. Medical agencies also require appropriate clinical leadership and professional supervision.

The application must identify the agency's location and any additional locations. The office must support administration and secure records and must satisfy applicable local zoning, lease, privacy, accessibility, and business requirements.

Processing time varies with application completeness, document review, applicant readiness, inspection scheduling, and correction of deficiencies. Medicare certification or accreditation adds separate steps. Home Health Forms does not guarantee a state or federal processing time.

An Arkansas Personal Care Agency may provide attendant care, homemaker services such as housekeeping, shopping, laundry, meal planning and preparation, and companion services such as fellowship, transportation, mail reading, and escort services in the client’s residence.

Skilled nursing, therapy, and other therapeutic services require the appropriate Home Health Agency authority and professional personnel.

Arkansas law and ADH application instructions require applicable criminal-history screening for owners, administrative staff, and direct-care personnel. The exact checks depend on the person's role and the governing program; applicants should use ADH's current Criminal History Check Information.

Not solely because it holds Arkansas licensure. An organization planning to seek federal certification must first obtain Arkansas state licensure and then complete the applicable Medicare certification and enrollment process. Medicare-certified agencies must also comply with applicable federal Home Health Conditions of Participation.

Yes. Applicants should prepare policies required by the applicable ADH Rules for Home Health Agencies or Rules for Private Care Agencies and keep them aligned with the services actually offered. Home Health Foms offers policies and procedures that meet regulatory requirements to ensure your success.

Home Health Forms provides startup guidance, customized documents, and application-preparation assistance. ADH makes state licensing decisions, and the appropriate federal authorities determine Medicare certification.

The applicant is responsible for truthful and complete information, qualified personnel, an appropriate office, financial and insurance requirements, fees, regulator requests, inspections, and ongoing compliance. Home Health Foms provides guidance and documents that meet regulatory requirements to ensure your success.

Customized policy manuals, forms, and related digital documents are generally emailed within five business days after Home Health Forms receives all company information needed to complete the customization. Other package components may have separate production timelines.

Cancellation and refund eligibility depends on the work already completed, customized materials produced, digital products delivered, third-party expenses paid, printing ordered, and other services already performed.