Delaware Home Health Agency Complete Startup Package

This package is designed for a Delaware-licensed Home Health Agency offering skilled medical services under 16 DE Admin. Code 3350 of the Delaware Code of Regulations. It covers agency structure, application preparation, policies, personnel materials, and operational documents.

It does not include federal Medicare certification, Delaware Medicaid enrollment, accreditation, hospice licensure, or non-medical Personal Assistance Services Agency licensure unless those services are added in writing.

A Delaware Home Health Agency provides skilled nursing and other therapeutic services to patients in their homes under an authorized plan of care. Medicare participation adds separate federal enrollment, certification, survey or accreditation, and Conditions of Participation requirements.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Health Care Quality, Office of Health Facilities Licensing and Certification licenses and surveys Home Health Agencies. The principal state regulations are in 16 DE Admin. Code 3350 of the Delaware Code of Regulations.

A Delaware HHA may provide skilled nursing, home health aide, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and medical social services within its approved scope. It must have qualified personnel and policies for every service offered, whether furnished directly or under an allowed arrangement.

Delaware lists a $500 nonrefundable initial Home Health Agency application fee and a $300 annual licensure fee.

No. DHSS fees, background checks, insurance, office expenses, personnel costs, Medicare or Delaware Medicaid enrollment, accreditation, and other government or third-party expenses are separate unless expressly included in writing.

Requirements depend on ownership, services, personnel, and the proposed location. Applicants should expect DHSS application forms, fees, ownership and controlling-interest disclosures, organizational and governing-body information, administrator and Director of Patient Care Services qualifications, service descriptions, office information, policies, clinical forms, and other supporting documents requested by DHSS.

Home Health Forms prepares the application for review, but the applicant must provide complete and accurate company, ownership, personnel, and service information.

The agency must maintain an operating location where required administrative and clinical records are available and where the current license can be posted conspicuously. The location is subject to Department inspection. Applicants should verify zoning, lease, accessibility, record-security, business-license, and local requirements before committing to a location.

The administrator must meet Delaware's applicable education and experience standards and is responsible for overall agency management. The applicant must document qualifications and identify coverage for absences as required by DHSS.

Yes. Delaware requires a qualified Director of Patient Care Services responsible for the clinical program, including the quality and adequacy of patient care and supervision of clinical personnel. The application must document that person's qualifications.

Skilled nursing services must be furnished by Delaware-licensed nursing personnel acting within their lawful scope and under the patient's plan of care. Staffing, supervision, competency, and documentation must comply with 16 DE Admin. Code 3350 and applicable professional-licensure rules.

Delaware skilled services may include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, and medical social services. Services must be ordered in the medical plan of care and provided by personnel who meet applicable Delaware licensure, competency, and supervision requirements.

Home health aides must meet applicable Delaware certification, competency, assignment, supervision, and in-service requirements. Medicare-certified agencies must also satisfy federal aide-training, competency, and supervision standards.

Skilled services must be furnished under an authorized, individualized plan of care that identifies diagnoses, treatments, medications, disciplines, frequency and duration, safety measures, and other relevant directions. Review and signature timing must follow current Delaware and, when applicable, Medicare requirements.

Yes. The governing body must establish a quality improvement committee, and the HHA must operate an ongoing, comprehensive self-assessment program addressing care and services, staffing, supervision, records, satisfaction, complaints, infections, and other required data. The governing body must review and approve written policies and procedures at least annually. Home Health Forms includes the documents necessary to meet these requirements.

After application review and acceptance, DHSS conducts the applicable survey. The agency must pass the survey before receiving its annual license. The applicant must be operationally ready and make the location, records, policies, personnel files, and clinical systems available for review.

A Delaware HHA annual license is valid for 12 months, subject to continued compliance. Applicants should verify the renewal date printed on the license and current renewal instructions because requirements may change.

No. Delaware requires an organization seeking federal certification or recognized accreditation to obtain state licensure first, but state licensure alone does not authorize Medicare billing. Medicare participation requires separate CMS enrollment, certification, survey or approved accreditation, and compliance with federal Conditions of Participation.

No. State facility licensure and Delaware Medicaid provider enrollment are separate processes. An agency seeking Delaware Medicaid reimbursement must satisfy the applicable program, enrollment, contracting, screening, and billing requirements.

DHSS currently advises that accepted applications are forwarded for a review that may take 6–9 months or longer. Completeness, corrections, ownership review, personnel readiness, survey scheduling, and any Medicare or accreditation steps can extend the timeline.

• Logo creation and a customized WordPress website.
• One year of website hosting and domain registration.
• 500 business cards and 500 tri-fold brochures.
• Delaware 16 DE Admin. Code 3350 policy, human-resources, admission, clinical, and operational documents for skilled medical services.
• Preparation assistance for the Delaware Home Health Agency application.
• Members' area access, document customization, ongoing guidance, and applicable updates.

Unless stated otherwise in writing, the price does not include DHSS fees, Medicare certification, Delaware Medicaid enrollment, accreditation fees, insurance, rent, utilities, personnel or payroll costs, background checks, fingerprinting, software, or other expenses not specifically identified as included.

Home Health Forms provides documents, guidance, and application-preparation assistance. DHSS makes state licensing decisions, and federal authorities determine Medicare enrollment and certification. The applicant remains responsible for qualified personnel, accurate information, insurance, operational readiness, fees, regulator responses, surveys, 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 all information needed for customization is received. Website development, printing, shipping, and other package components may have separate timelines.

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