N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation

Purpose: This procedure describes the steps to become a licensed home care agency. Each site providing home care services must be separately licensed. The North Carolina Medical Care Commission has rulemaking authority for home care. The statutes that apply to home care are North Carolina General Statutes 131E-135 through 142 and the rules are under Title 10 of the North Carolina Administrative Code (10 NCAC 3L .0900 - .1400).

Please be aware that there may be variations in the process since individual projects may have special circumstances. The flow chart is intended to be a general guide to aid the applicant in completing the overall project.

Contacts: For questions regarding any part of this process, please contact the appropriate section of the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation:

Procedure Summary:
Applicants for a home care agency may apply directly to the Acute and Home Care Branch for licensure. In some instances licensed home care agencies can receive Medicaid certification for specific services; e.g., Medicaid Community Alternatives Program (CAP), Personal Care Services (PCS), Home Infusion Therapy (HIT), etc. For further information concerning Medicaid services, contact the Division of Medical Assistance at 919-857-4017. However, applicants proposing to be certified for Medicare Home Health or for Medicaid Home Health must refer to the "Procedure for Establishing a Home Health Agency."

Step	Process followed
1.0	Obtain a license: Acute and Home Care Section
1.1	The applicant requests a license application from the Branch. Since agencies may provide one or more home care services, a multi-purpose licensure application is used and a multi-program license may be issued. The applicant submits a completed application to the Branch.
1.2	The Branch reviews the application for completeness.
1.3	If the agency is accredited by any of the bodies specified in the Home Care Licensure Act (N.C. G.S. 131E – 138), it is deemed to be in compliance with the home care licensure rules and a license is issued designating the services that the agency is authorized to provide.
1.4	If the agency does not qualify for deemed status, an initial licensure survey is scheduled.
1.5	If the agency is in substantial compliance with the home care licensure rules at the time of the survey, a survey report is generated and a license is issued.
1.6	If the agency is not in substantial compliance with the home care licensure rules, the applicant will be informed at the time of the survey what additional information is needed to be in substantial compliance.
1.7	If there is a question of safety or adequacy of care, the Branch will attempt to assist the agency to reach compliance through consultations. If those efforts fail, licensure is denied.

Step

Process followed

1.0

Obtain a license: Acute and Home Care Section

1.1

The applicant requests a license application from the Branch. Since agencies may provide one or more home care services, a multi-purpose licensure application is used and a multi-program license may be issued. The applicant submits a completed application to the Branch.

1.2

The Branch reviews the application for completeness.

1.3

If the agency is accredited by any of the bodies specified in the Home Care Licensure Act (N.C. G.S. 131E – 138), it is deemed to be in compliance with the home care licensure rules and a license is issued designating the services that the agency is authorized to provide.

1.4

If the agency does not qualify for deemed status, an initial licensure survey is scheduled.

1.5

If the agency is in substantial compliance with the home care licensure rules at the time of the survey, a survey report is generated and a license is issued.

1.6

If the agency is not in substantial compliance with the home care licensure rules, the applicant will be informed at the time of the survey what additional information is needed to be in substantial compliance.

1.7

If there is a question of safety or adequacy of care, the Branch will attempt to assist the agency to reach compliance through consultations. If those efforts fail, licensure is denied.

Procedure for Establishing a Home Care Agency