Agencies
Home care agencies are companies that have a provider agreement with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and have been issued a Medicaid provider number. They must be either Medicare certified or accredited by JCAHO or CHAP. As such, they must provide services according to established standards of practice. They are reviewed periodically to ensure that they are following Medicare guidelines and/or the accreditation standards. Agencies must provide supervision and training of Licensed Practical Nurses and Daily Living Services providers (home health aides). They have liability insurance and their employees are covered under Worker's Compensation and are usually bonded against loss of property. Agencies are the employer of the individuals performing the in-home services. As such, they handle all employment activities including hiring, firing, scheduling, and paying.
JCAHO and CHAP accredited agencies may not provide all service to all consumers. It is necessary to have all agency services authorized by your Case Manager before the services are provided.
Waiver Service Providers
Waiver Service Providers are companies that provide the additional services available only to Waiver consumers including: home delivered meals, emergency response systems, supplemental transportation, home modifications, adaptive/assistive devices, adult day health care, and out-of-home respite. They have a contract with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services as an established business with a Medicaid provider number. The individuals who deliver meals or install emergency response systems are employees of that business. The management of that business must fulfill all employment responsibilities including hiring, firing, supervising, scheduling and paying. Only approved Medicaid Waiver providers can provide or complete waiver services and all such services must be prior authorized by your Case Manager.
Independent Providers
Independent Providers are individuals who are self employed and have become eligible to provide home care services directly to the consumer. These individuals are self-employed and are responsible for their own billing and taxes. The consumer provides direct supervision for the Independent Providers while Case Management provides some oversight and monitoring. All Independent Nurse Providers must have a current license and adhere to the standards established by the Ohio Nursing Board. Independent Daily Living Aides must have completed a home health aide or nursing home aide training program and competency evaluation. An Independent Daily Living Non-Aide may perform the same tasks as the Daily Living Aide at the direction of the consumer. All Independent Providers must undergo an annual criminal background investigation and performance evaluation as part of Case Management monitoring.
