Homemaker Services in Illinois help older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those recovering from illness or injury maintain a clean, safe, and healthy home environment. These services, authorized under Illinois Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs and the Community Care Program (CCP), aim to prevent unnecessary institutionalization by supporting participants in their homes.

1. Governing Agencies

Agency: Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA)
Role: Oversees Homemaker Services under the Community Care Program (CCP) for older adults, including provider certification, quality monitoring, and participant rights protections

Agency: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
Role: Administers Medicaid waiver funding for Homemaker Services and oversees provider enrollment and reimbursement procedures

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring Medicaid-funded Homemaker Services meet HCBS quality, participant-centered planning, and safety requirements

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2. Homemaker Service Overview

Homemaker Services provide assistance with non-medical personal care and household tasks that the participant is unable to perform independently, helping them remain safely in the community.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, and mobility assistance
• Light housekeeping tasks including dusting, vacuuming, laundry, and meal preparation
• Grocery shopping and errands
• Medication reminders (non-administrative assistance)
• Monitoring the participant’s general well-being and reporting concerns to supervisors
• Assistance with scheduling medical and service appointments
• Support with exercise and wellness routines as recommended by healthcare providers

All services must align with the participant’s Service Plan or Care Plan developed through case management and authorized by the funding program.

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3. Licensing & Provider Approval Requirements

Prerequisites:

• Register business entity with the Illinois Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Enroll as a Medicaid Waiver and/or CCP provider through the Illinois Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal (IMPACT system)
• Obtain IDoA Homemaker Services Provider Certification (for CCP)
• Maintain general liability and worker’s compensation insurance
• Develop comprehensive policies addressing personal care assistance, participant protection, incident reporting, and documentation standards
• Ensure staff meet required background checks, health screenings, and complete homemaker-specific training programs

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4. Illinois Provider Enrollment Process

Initial Interest and Application:

• Submit Provider Enrollment Application through the IMPACT system for Homemaker Services under applicable waivers and/or the Community Care Program

Application and Documentation Submission:

• Submit Articles of Incorporation, proof of EIN/NPI, insurance certificates, staff training logs, operational policies, and client intake forms

Program Readiness Review:

• IDoA and/or HFS conduct provider readiness reviews to evaluate service delivery models, staffing compliance, documentation practices, and participant rights protections

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

• Upon approval, providers are authorized to deliver and bill for Homemaker Services using designated waiver or CCP billing codes

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5. Required Documentation

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Illinois Secretary of State)
• IRS EIN confirmation
• NPI confirmation
• Proof of general liability and worker’s compensation insurance

Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Participant intake, needs assessment, and service authorization procedures
• ADL support, housekeeping assistance, and personal care task protocols
• Incident reporting, abuse prevention, and emergency response procedures
• Participant rights, grievance handling, and HIPAA compliance standards
• Staff credentialing, background checks, health screening, and training documentation
• Medicaid billing, service tracking, and audit readiness protocols

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6. Staffing Requirements

Role: Program Director / Supervisor
Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a related field preferred; experience managing non-medical support services programs; background clearance

Role: Homemakers / Home Care Aides
Requirements: High school diploma or GED; completion of state-approved Homemaker training programs; CPR/First Aid certification preferred; background screening and health clearance

All staff must complete:

• Participant safety, abuse prevention, and mandatory reporting training
• HIPAA confidentiality and participant rights training
• Infection control and safe housekeeping practices training
• Emergency preparedness procedures training
• Annual competency assessments and continuing education updates

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7. Medicaid Waiver Programs

Homemaker Services are available under the following Illinois Medicaid Waivers:

• Elderly Waiver (Community Care Program)
• Persons with Disabilities (PD) Waiver
• Persons with Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
• Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver (limited non-medical support)

Approved providers may deliver:

• In-home assistance with daily living tasks
• Non-medical personal care support
• Home management and light housekeeping
• Wellness checks and basic health monitoring
• Community-based support to promote participant independence

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8. Timeline to Launch

Phase: Business Formation and Compliance Preparation
Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Policy Development
Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: IMPACT Medicaid Enrollment and IDoA Certification Readiness Review
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Medicaid Billing Setup and Homemaker Service Launch
Timeline: 30–45 days

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9. Contact Information

Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA)
Website: https://ilaging.illinois.gov/

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
Website: https://www.hfs.illinois.gov/

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Website: https://www.cms.gov/

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​10. Scope of Work

• Business registration, Medicaid enrollment, and IDoA certification support
• Development of Homemaker Services Policy & Procedure Manual
• Staff credentialing templates, participant intake forms, and service tracking systems
• Medicaid billing system setup and claims management assistance
• Website, domain, and professional branding development
• Caregiver training program templates and participant satisfaction survey tools
• Quality assurance programs for service delivery monitoring and participant rights compliance
• Strategic partnerships with case management agencies and community organizations