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Home care in California is highly regulated with a robust body of laws and regulations designed to protect vulnerable seniors by requiring registration, screening, training and insurance for all home care aides employed by an agency. The California Department of Social Services, Home Care Services Bureau (HCSB), Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), and other bodies, are in charge of enforcing these laws and regulations by supervising the initial licensing and registration of Home Care Organizations (HCOs) and caregivers, as well as conducting unannounced periodic inspections to ensure compliance.

What does this mean for home care providers?

Home care providers are and will be, even more highly regulated by the state in the near future! Why? Over the next two decades, California’s over-65 population will nearly double, clearly indicating an increased demand for home care services.

As a result of this, the state is further anticipated to bring many federal and state programs that support seniors. However, because of these stringent laws, service providers face ever-increasing challenges which impede their ability to perform their functions efficiently.

If you are a California-based home care provider looking to comply with the state regulatory requirements, this guide offers more detailed information about home care laws and regulations in California that you should be aware of.

Making Sense of California’s Home Care Laws & Regulations!

In-Home Care Service Scope

Home Care Organizations (HCOs) assist seniors with personal care and other non-medical in-home care including companionship, medication reminders, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and other light housekeeping tasks.

Care Plan Requirements

HCOs meet their clients to determine their care needs and establish a plan of care which best suits their needs, including contingency plans for replacement staff if needed.

Medication Management Regulations

Support for medication administration is limited to“assisting” clients with self-administration of medications that do not require medical supervision, handling, or administration.

Staff Screening Requirements

Home care agency employed staff and caregivers must show proof of vaccination, fingerprints, pass a criminal background check, and be tuberculosis-screened. Independent workers must also register with the Home Care Services Bureau (HCSB) as home care aides.

Staff Training Requirements

Newly employed Home Care Aides (HCAs) must complete five hours of initial training when joining an HCO, which includes a 2-hour orientation. They must also complete five hours of annual training through a state-approved entity once they are hired.

‘Medi-Cal’ Coverage

The IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) Program is another resource in California which provides non-medical care coverage to those who qualify in their homes or places of residence.

EVV Regulations

Sandata has been selected as the state EVV aggregator for California! It offers the state’s Medi-Cal payers and providers the actionable data that allows them to comply with the 21st Century Cures Act.

Conclusion

CareSmartz360, a leading all-in-one home care management software, enables California-based home care agencies in becoming one of the most trusted providers of home care in light of all the robust home care laws and regulations. By adopting a platform like CareSmartz360, there are tremendous opportunities to improve care.

Read More: Look at some possible ways to manage the challenges imposed by Home Care Laws and Regulations in California using CareSmartz360.