Ohio Home Health Launch & Medicare Certification: Fixed-Price Application Support
$2,495.00
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Midwest
Ohio Home Care, Home Health & Hospice Licensing
Ohio requires an ODH license for all skilled home health and hospice providers. A CMS Medicare moratorium now delays new enrollment.
RegulatorODH
Typical timeline6 to 12 months
License routes3
Delivery100% Virtual
Licensing in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Bureau of Regulatory Operations, licenses skilled home health agencies under ORC 3740 and hospices under ORC 3712. There is no Certificate of Need. New skilled agencies not operating before September 30, 2021 need a $50,000 surety bond. A CMS Medicare moratorium (May 13, 2026) blocks new Medicare enrollment until at least November 2026.
Your regulator
Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Regulatory Operations (ODH)
Official licensing page →License routes we cover in Ohio
Skilled Home Health Services License
Staff providing skilled nursing, physical, occupational, or speech therapy at home. ORC 3740, OAC 3701-60.
Nonmedical Home Health Services License
Agencies providing personal care, companion, or homemaker services. Skilled license holders are automatically covered.
Hospice Care Program License
Anyone operating a hospice program in Ohio. ORC 3712, OAC 3701-19. Required before Medicare certification.
How we get you licensed
- 1Form your business entity and open an Ohio office
Register with the Ohio Secretary of State and get an EIN. Out-of-state firms need an Ohio office holding patient records.
- 2Submit the ODH application with fee and surety bond
File ODH form HEA0621 (home health) or the hospice form with the fee: $250 home health, $600 hospice, payable to 'Treasurer, State of Ohio.' New skilled applicants add a $50,000 bond ($20,000 nonmedical-only). Hospice files at least 60 days before inspection.
- 3ODH review and initial inspection
For hospice, ODH inspects and mails a grant or deny notice within 30 days. Home health applicants must send requested info within 14 calendar days. Any violations need a correction plan within 10 calendar days.
- 4Get accreditation from a CMS-approved organization (run in parallel)
For Medicare, use deemed-status accreditation from CHAP, ACHC, or The Joint Commission instead of a CMS survey. Doing this alongside licensure saves time. ODH accepts it with the application.
- 5Track the CMS moratorium, then enroll through PECOS
A nationwide six-month CMS moratorium (May 13, 2026 through at least November 13, 2026) blocks new home health and hospice Medicare enrollment. When it lifts, file CMS-855A through PECOS to Ohio's MAC.
- 6Enroll with Ohio Medicaid and start operations
Once Medicare-certified, enroll with the Ohio Department of Medicaid for PASSPORT and MyCare Ohio (PASSPORT is moving into MyCare Ohio in 2026). Tell ODH within 10 days of any changes.
How long does it take?
Typical time to a live license in Ohio. Times assume a complete, accurate application; missing items add time.
- State license
- 2 to 4 months
- Accreditation (needed for Medicare)
- 3 to 6 months more
- Medicare enrollment
- 45 to 90 days once the moratorium lifts (not before Nov 2026)
Key Ohio requirements
- ODH license required for all skilled home health and hospice providers. No Certificate of Need.
- $50,000 bond for new skilled applicants not providing care before September 30, 2021 ($20,000 nonmedical-only).
- Skilled applications need Medicare certification, accreditation (CHAP, ACHC, Joint Commission), or a notarized Medicare Conditions of Participation attestation.
- Out-of-state agencies must open a physical Ohio office and keep all patient records there before applying.
- Hospice applicants must file at least 60 days before inspection and pay a non-refundable $600 fee.
- Ohio faces extra CMS scrutiny: new hospices get PPEO prepayment review; home health faces the Review Choice Demonstration. Document carefully.
Traps that catch new owners
- Don't confuse the ODH license with Medicare enrollment. A license alone won't let you bill Medicare until the moratorium lifts (about November 2026).
- Skilled applicants not caring for patients before October 1, 2021 must attach a $50,000 bond; forgetting it causes rejection.
- Operating without a real Ohio office and on-site records violates OAC 3701-60-03 and brings denial or enforcement.
- The applicant, not ODH, must send requested info within 14 calendar days of ODH's mailing. Missing this stalls the application.
Ohio licensing packages
Fixed price, agreed in writing before any work begins. Each package is prepared and submitted for you, fully online.
Ohio licensing FAQs
Does Ohio require a Certificate of Need (CON) for home health or hospice?
No. Ohio repealed most CON rules in 2012 and requires no Certificate of Need for home health or hospice. Any qualified applicant may apply to ODH if they meet all requirements, including the surety bond for newer agencies.
Can we get our Ohio license now while the CMS moratorium blocks Medicare enrollment?
Yes. The CMS moratorium (effective May 13, 2026) freezes new Medicare enrollment but not ODH licensure or accreditation. Getting licensed now lets you file the CMS-855A through PECOS as soon as the moratorium lifts, expected no earlier than November 2026.
If we already hold a Skilled Home Health Services License, do we need a separate Nonmedical license?
No. Under ORC 3740, a home health agency or nonagency provider with a current Skilled Home Health Services License may provide nonmedical home health services without a separate nonmedical license.
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