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Home Health Agencies provide health care
services to ill, disabled, or vulnerable individuals in their homes
enabling them to live as independently as possible.
Home health services include:
- Home Health Aide Services
- Medical Social Work Services
- Nursing Services
- Nutritional Services
- Physical Therapy Services
- Occupational Therapy Services
- Respiratory Therapy Services
- Speech Therapy Services
- Home Medical Supplies and Equipment
- Professional Medical Equipment Assessment Services
All Home Health Agencies (HHAs) are licensed by the state to provide care within the
minimum health and safety standards established by regulation and rule. The Department of
Health, enforces the standards by periodically
conducting unannounced surveys of these agencies.
Medicare may pay for services provided by HHAs who voluntarily seek and are approved for
certification by the Federal Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS). CMS contracts
with the Department of Health to evaluate compliance
with the federal home health regulations to periodically conduct unannounced surveys of
these agencies.
Medicare certified HHAs are required to conduct comprehensive assessments
of all patients and participate in the federal program Outcome
Assessment Information Set (OASIS). HHAs electronically submit OASIS
health information on Medicare patients to measure patient outcomes for
quality improvement. Public Reporting on selected outcome measures
will be available in October 2003 by accessing the CMS website.
State Statute and Rules:
In Home Services Complete Law Book
Statute:
RCW
70.127
Rules:
WAC
246-335
Application for State License:
For persons interested in the application process for state licensure of these
agencies, here are steps to follow.
- Submit the completed
application and fee along with the following
information to Office of Health
Care Survey.
a)
A description of the organizational structure listing the names of the agency,
officers, administrator, clinical directors, partners, managing employees, or
owners of ten percent or more of the agency's assets.
b) The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all office locations.
c) A description of the service area in which the agency plans to
operate and a description of how the agency will provide management and
supervision of services throughout the service area.
d) A description of the services to be offered directly and under
contracts.
e) A copy of Washington State Patrol (WSP) criminal history background
checks and disclosure statements in compliance with
RCW
43.43.830-842.
f) Copy of the current business license.
g) Evidence of professional liability, public liability, and property
damage insurance.
- After review and acceptance of the application materials, DOH
conducts a survey before issuing the license.
Federal Medicare Regulations: Home Health
Regulation:
42 CFR
484.1 Part A
Regulation:
42 CFR
484.10 Part B
Regulation:
42 CFR
484.30 Part C
Regulation:
42 CFR
484 Part D
Regulation:
42 CFR
484.200 Part E
Oasis Regulations: Home Health
Regulation:
42 CFR 484.55
Regulation:
42 CFR 484.20,
Regulation:
42 CFR 484.11
Application for Federal Medicare Certification:
Note: State Licensure as a Home Health Agency is a
requirement for federal certification.
For persons interested in the application process for Medicare certification of
these agencies, here are steps to follow.
- Request a copy of the federal Medicare regulations for Home Health Agencies.
How to Contact Us.
- Contact the Department of Health Certificate of Need
Unit (CON) at (360) 236-2955 to obtain approval for establishing a
Medicare Certified Home Health Agency.
- Once CON approval is granted, Contact Us
to request an application packet for Medicare
Certified Home Health Agency.
- Submit the completed application materials to the Office of Health
Care Survey. How to Contact Us.
- After review and acceptance of the application materials, DOH
conducts a survey before recommending the Agency for Medicare
Certification.
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