• What is a Home Health Agency?
• What is the difference between a home health agency and a residential service agency?

Q. What is a Home Health Agency?

A. A home health agency is a provider of home health services which include skilled nursing services, home health aides, and at least one other home care service such as medical social services, and therapies such as physical, occupational or speech therapy. A certificate of need must be obtained from the Maryland Health Care Commission (410-764-3558) before a license is issued.

Q. What is the difference between a home health agency and a residential service agency?

A. The most important differences in these two agencies are:

• Home health agencies must provide at a minimum-skilled nursing services, home health aides, and one or more other services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical social services, and home medical equipment.
• Residential services agencies cannot provide skilled nursing, home health aides & one other services. (if these services are provided, you are defined as a home health agency). Services such as aides only, or skilled nursing and aides, or home medical equipment only may be provided.
• Home health agencies can participate in the Medicare program. Residential service agencies cannot be Medicare providers.
• Home health agencies require a certificate of need (CON) prior to licensure. Residential service agencies do not require CON approval.