Home Care Agency or Registry
Pennsylvania uses the Home Care Agency and Home Care Registry license for non-skilled services. These services may include personal care, assistance with daily activities, companionship, respite, and other approved home care support.
Agency owners must also decide whether their operating model fits an agency, a registry, or both.
Home Health Agency
A Home Health Agency is designed for skilled care. Pennsylvania defines this type of agency around skilled nursing and at least one additional therapeutic service.
State licensure and federal Medicare certification are separate approvals, so the agency's services and payment goals should be planned before applying.
Hospice Agency
Hospice is a separate license for agencies providing coordinated care focused on comfort and quality of life for people with terminal illness.
Its clinical structure, staffing plan, policies, and services must be developed specifically for the hospice model.