Massachusetts Home Care Agency Complete Startup Package

Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2026 created Massachusetts's first statewide licensing framework for Home Care Agencies. The law was approved in August 2026 and directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to issue regulations and establish the mandatory licensing date. Agencies should monitor official implementation notices before filing or changing operations.

Under Chapter 180, a Home Care Agency is generally an entity that provides or arranges non-medical home care services for consumers in their residences. The framework covers agencies using directly employed workers and agencies using contracted workers, subject to statutory exclusions.

The package supports non-medical home care such as personal care, homemaker, companion, supportive, and assistance services within the agency's lawful scope and each worker's competency. It does not authorize nursing, therapy, or other services requiring a professional license.

No. Chapter 180 expressly excludes a Home Health Agency from the Home Care Agency definition. Massachusetts DPH does not license Home Health Agencies, although an HHA may separately pursue Medicare certification and MassHealth enrollment.

Chapter 180 establishes the framework, but EOHHS must promulgate regulations and set the required licensing date. Agencies should use the implementation period to prepare ownership, financial-capacity, insurance, personnel, service, safety, quality, complaint, and reporting systems, then follow the official application instructions when released.

The law requires regulations addressing ownership suitability and financial capacity, background checks, written service plans and contracts, workers' compensation and liability insurance, payroll compliance, annual and ongoing training, worker safety, emergency preparedness, quality metrics, annual reporting, complaint procedures, and necessary supplies.

Chapter 180 requires implementing regulations to include background-check standards. Agencies should follow current applicable laws and contracts now and monitor EOHHS rules for the specific checks, timing, documentation, and disqualification standards under the new licensing program.

The new law directs EOHHS to establish annual and ongoing training standards. Agencies should document orientation, role-specific competency, supervision, consumer rights, emergency practices, infection prevention, service documentation, worker safety, and continuing education while monitoring the final regulations.

Chapter 180 provides for a three-year renewable license. The license is nontransferable, so ownership and organizational changes should be evaluated under the statute and forthcoming regulations before closing a transaction.

The law directs EOHHS to establish a temporary-license process for certain existing agencies contracted with an Aging Services Access Point or MassHealth. Eligibility, timing, documentation, and transition requirements must be confirmed from the official implementation materials.

The statutory definition excludes specified government entities, housekeeping-only providers, Aging Services Access Points, hospices, Home Health Agencies, services furnished under the MassHealth Personal Care Attendant program, and adult foster care. An operator should confirm how every service line fits the final rules.

Yes. Historically, an agency directly employing domestic workers was treated differently from a business placing or referring workers. A referral or placement model may require DLS employment- or placement-agency licensure or registration. Chapter 180 does not eliminate the need to verify those separate requirements.

No. The Massachusetts Home Care Worker Registry regulation applies to workers employed by agencies under contract with Aging Services Access Points. Private-pay agencies outside that contracting structure should verify which registry, screening, and contract rules apply to them.

No. Home Care Agency licensing and MassHealth provider participation are separate. Only approved MassHealth providers may bill covered services, and enrollment depends on provider type, service, contracting, qualification, and program requirements.

• Logo creation and a customized WordPress website.
• One year of website hosting and domain registration.
• 500 business cards and 500 tri-fold brochures.
• Massachusetts Home Care Agency policies, human-resources documents, client-service documents, and operational forms aligned to Chapter 180 readiness.
• Licensing-readiness, checklist, and supporting-document preparation, plus application assistance when official state materials become available.
• Members' area access, customization, ongoing guidance, and applicable updates.

No. Entity filings, EOHHS licensing fees, MassHealth enrollment expenses, background checks, registry costs, insurance, rent, utilities, personnel and payroll costs, training, software, mailing, and other government or third-party expenses are separate unless expressly included in writing.

Home Health Forms provides customized documents, startup guidance, and preparation assistance. EOHHS, DPH, DLS, MassHealth, contractors, and payers make their own decisions. The applicant remains responsible for monitoring implementation, filing accurate information, maintaining qualified personnel, completing checks and training, and achieving operational 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.