Pennsylvania Home Health Agency Complete Startup Package

This package is designed for a Pennsylvania state-licensed Home Health Agency governed by 28 Pa. Code Chapter 601. It covers the agency structure, application preparation, policies, personnel materials, and operational documents needed for skilled home health services.

It does not include federal Medicare certification, Medicaid enrollment, accreditation, hospice licensure, or Chapter 611 Home Care Agency/Home Care Registry licensure unless those services are added in writing.

Pennsylvania defines a Home Health Agency as an organization staffed and equipped to provide skilled nursing and at least one additional therapeutic service—physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, medical social services, or home health aides—to persons on a part-time or intermittent basis in their residences.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Home Health, licenses and surveys Home Health Agencies. The principal state regulations are 28 Pa. Code Chapter 601, together with applicable Chapter 51 requirements and professional-licensure laws.

The agency must make available part-time or intermittent skilled nursing and at least one other qualifying therapeutic service. At least one qualifying service must be furnished directly by agency employees. The second qualifying service and additional services may be furnished through compliant written contracts.

Chapter 601 currently states that an application or renewal form must be accompanied by a $50 fee. Applicants should confirm the current amount, payment method, and mailing instructions on the latest Department application before submission because agency procedures and fees can change.

No. Department of Health fees, background checks, insurance, office expenses, personnel costs, Medicare or 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 a completed state application, fee, ownership and controlling-interest information, organizational structure, governing-body and administrator information, service descriptions, personnel qualifications, office information, policies and procedures, clinical forms, and other supporting documents requested by the Department.

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.

Under Chapter 601, the administrator may be a licensed physician, a registered nurse, or a person with training and experience in health-service administration plus at least one year of supervisory or administrative experience in home health care or a related health program. A qualified person must be authorized in writing to act when the administrator is absent.

Yes. Skilled nursing and other therapeutic services must be under the supervision and direction of a physician or an RN with at least one year of nursing experience. That supervisor—or a similarly qualified alternate—must be available during operating hours and participate in professional-service activities and personnel assignments.

Skilled nursing services must be provided by or under the supervision of an RN and in accordance with the plan of treatment. An LPN may provide authorized services under appropriate RN supervision and within Pennsylvania scope-of-practice requirements and agency policy.

Qualifying services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, medical social services, and home health aide services. Services must be delivered by properly qualified personnel, follow the plan of treatment, and comply with applicable professional-licensure and supervision requirements.

Chapter 601 defines a home health aide as a nonprofessional worker who has completed at least 60 hours of classroom instruction before or during the first three months of employment. Agencies pursuing Medicare certification must also satisfy any more stringent current federal aide-training and competency requirements.

Chapter 601 requires care to follow a written plan of treatment established and periodically reviewed by the attending physician. The plan addresses diagnoses, ordered services, visit frequency, equipment, functional limitations, medications, treatments, safety measures, nutrition, and discharge or referral instructions. The total plan must be reviewed as often as the patient's condition requires and at least every 60 days. Home Health Forms includes the documents necessary to meet these requirements.

Yes. Professional personnel must review agency policies at least annually, and the agency must complete an annual evaluation of its overall program. Appropriate health professionals must review a sample of active and closed clinical records at least quarterly, with continuing review for each 60-day period of care. Home Health Forms includes the documents necessary to meet these requirements.

The Department issues a regular license after a survey shows substantial compliance with Chapter 601. The survey may include an onsite inspection. The agency and its records remain subject to scheduled or unannounced inspection after licensure.

A regular Chapter 601 license expires one year after issuance. Pennsylvania may issue a provisional license for a limited period when statutory conditions are met, but applicants should plan and operate for full compliance rather than relying on provisional licensure.

No. Pennsylvania state licensure is required for federal Medicare certification, but state licensure alone does not authorize Medicare billing. Medicare participation requires separate CMS enrollment, certification, survey or approved accreditation, and compliance with applicable federal Conditions of Participation.

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

The Department does not publish a guaranteed completion time for every Home Health Agency application. Its current instructions state that timing depends on the accuracy of the information provided. Completeness, corrections, personnel readiness, survey scheduling, and any Medicare or accreditation steps can affect the overall timeline.

• Logo creation and a customized WordPress website.
• One year of website hosting and domain registration.
• 500 business cards and 500 tri-fold brochures.
• Pennsylvania Chapter 601 policy, human-resources, admission, clinical, and operational documents.
• Preparation assistance for the Pennsylvania Home Health Agency application.
• Members' area access, document customization, ongoing guidance, and applicable updates.

Unless stated otherwise in writing, the price does not include Department fees, Medicare certification, 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. The Pennsylvania Department of Health makes licensing decisions, and the appropriate federal authorities determine Medicare enrollment and certification. The applicant remains responsible for qualified personnel, accurate information, operational readiness, fees, regulator responses, 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.