Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) – Office of Long Term Care (OLTC)

Role: Regulates personal care agencies and monitors service compliance

Arkansas Medicaid / Division of Medical Services (DMS)

Role: Handles Medicaid enrollment and reimbursement for personal care services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight of Medicaid-funded personal care programs

2. PERSONAL CARE SERVICE OVERVIEW 

Personal Care Services offer in-home support to help individuals manage everyday tasks they are unable to perform independently due to health conditions or disabilities. Services are tailored to individual needs and may be provided intermittently or on a regular schedule.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Assistance with bathing, grooming, and dressing
• Toileting and incontinence care
• Mobility assistance (like walking, transferring, positioning)
• Meal preparation and feeding
• Basic housekeeping tasks essential to health
• Medication reminders (non-administration)
• Monitoring of general well-being and reporting of changes

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites: 

• Register your business with the Arkansas Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Apply for a Home Care Agency License through the Arkansas Department of Health
• Complete the Medicaid provider enrollment process
• Hire qualified personal care aides and clinical supervisors
• Maintain general liability and worker's compensation insurance
• Develop compliant documentation and tracking systems

4. PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Licensing through Arkansas Department of Health (ADH)

• Apply for a home care agency license
• Submit policies, staff roster, infection control procedures, and training program
• Pass on-site inspection and administrative review

Step 2: Medicaid Enrollment

• Apply via the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
• Submit required documentation and provider agreements
• Receive approval and provider number

Step 3: Referral Coordination

• Connect with case managers or local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to begin receiving client authorizations

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License
• IRS EIN Letter
• NPI confirmation
• Home care agency license
• Medicaid enrollment documentation

Policy & procedure manual including: Intake and assessment process

• ADL support documentation
• Care plan implementation and progress tracking
• Staff hiring, training, and supervision logs
• Participant rights and confidentiality policies
• Incident reporting and grievance handling
• Quality assurance and supervisory visit forms
• Billing logs and timesheet verification procedures

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Personal Care Supervisor (RN or LPN) Requirements: Licensed in Arkansas, responsible for training, client assessments, and supervision

Role: Personal Care Aide (PCA) Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of DHS-approved PCA training
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Background check and registry clearance
• Training Requirements for All Staff
• ADL assistance and client safety protocols
• Infection control and proper lifting techniques
• Confidentiality, abuse prevention, and mandatory reporting
• Annual skills review and continuing education

7. MEDICAID WAIVER SERVICES

Personal Care Services are available under: 

• Arkansas Medicaid State Plan Personal Care Program
• ARChoices in Homecare Waiver
• Independent Choices Program
• Community and Employment Supports (CES) Waiver (in conjunction with other supports)

Approved providers may deliver: 

• Hands-on assistance with activities of daily living
• In-home support to prevent institutional placement
• Client monitoring and documentation
• Coordination with care managers and families

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase 1:  Business Formation Timeline: 1–2 weeks

Phase 2: Licensing Application and Inspection (ADH) Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase 3: Medicaid Enrollment and System Setup Timeline: 30–60 days

Phase 4:  Staff Hiring and Training Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Arkansas Department of Health – Home Health & Personal Care Licensing Phone: (501) 661-2201 Website: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov

Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Medical Services (DMS) Email: ask.medicaid@arkansas.gov Website: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/dms

Arkansas Medicaid Provider Enrollment Portal Website: https://portal.mmis.arkansas.gov

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP'S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — ARKANSAS PERSONAL CARE SERVICES PROVIDER

We help entrepreneurs and home care agencies launch fully licensed and Medicaid-compliant Personal Care Services in Arkansas.

SCOPE OF WORK (i.e. What Waiver Consulting Group (WCG) Does)

Our Client Portal offers a wealth of resources that you can explore related to various programs and state requirements. Getting Started