292 Home care agencies and home care registries; exten-sion of deadline for licensure under 28 Pa.?Code Chapter 611?

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Home Care Agencies and Home Care Registries; Extension of deadline for licensure under 28 Pa. Code Chapter 611

[40 Pa.B. 938]
[Saturday, February 13, 2010]

 The regulations governing licensure for home care agencies (HCAs) and home care registries (HCRs) were published 39 Pa.B. 6958 (December 12, 2009).

 HCAs and HCRs, as defined in the regulations, must now be licensed by the Department of Health (Department) to provide home care services to individuals in their homes or other independent living environments.

 An entity that is currently operating an HCA or HCR, or both, may continue to operate provided it submits an application for a license to the Department no later than March 31, 2010. An entity that is currently operating an HCA or HCR that has submitted an application for licensure may continue to operate a date as the Department may refuse the application for licensure. If the Department grants the application for licensure, the home care agency and/or home care registry may continue to operate in accordance with the requirements of the regulations at 28 Pa. Code Chapter 611 (relating to home care agencies and home care registries).

 An entity that is established after the effective date of the regulations must obtain a license prior to providing home care services.

 Application packets may be obtained by contacting the Division of Home Health at [phone] and supplying a mailing address, and the Division will mail the packet to the address supplied. Alternatively, application packets may be obtained electronically. The applicant should go to www.health.state.pa.us and click on the left side navigation bar titled ''Facilities, Providers & Managed Care Plans'' then click the navigation bar titled ''Home Care Licensure Information.''

 The Department's web site contains additional information and links that may be helpful to the applicant. The Department's website contains a document addressing Frequently Asked Questions which may be accessed at www.health.state.pa.us by clicking on the left side navigation bar titled ''Facilities, Providers & Managed Care Plans'' then clicking on the navigation bar titled ''Home Care Agencies/Home Care Registries'' which contains a document link for ''Frequently Asked Questions about Home Care Agencies/Home Care Registries.'' The applicant can also contact the Department for a copy of the document which will be included in the application packet.

 To access information pertaining to criminal background checks, go to www.aging.state.pa.us, or contact the Department of Aging, Criminal History Background Check Unit, at [phone]. To access information pertaining to child abuse clearances, go to www.dpw. state.pa.us, or contact the Department of Public Welfare, ChildLine, at [phone].

 If you have any questions or would like more information regarding home care agencies, home care registries, and/or the HCA/HCR licensure program, please contact the Division of Home Health at [phone].

 Persons with a disability who require an alternative format of this notice (for example, large print, audiotape, Braille) should contact Janice Staloski, Director, Bureau of Community Program Licensure and Certification, 132 Kline Plaza, Suite A, Harrisburg, PA 17104, [phone], or for speech and/or hearing impaired persons V/TT [phone], or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Services at [phone].

EVERETTE JAMES, 
Secretary of Health

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-292. Filed for public inspection February 12, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]