Integrated Licensure Frequently Asked Questions
Home and Community-Based Services Designation

To simplify the licensing requirements for licensed home care providers who are also providing separate basic support services as outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.03 by allowing them to apply for an HCBS designation on their home care licenses.

The designation allows the license holder to provide basic support services (that would otherwise require separate licensure under chapter 245D) under the license holder’s home care license governed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 144A.43 to 144A.484. This designation is intended to support home care providers who are already serving home care clients and wish to also offer and provide basic support services as part of a broader care plan.

It is important to understand that the HCBS designation does not substitute the core requirements of a home care license. Providers must still meet the legal requirements of both the 144A homecare license and the 245D.03 basic supportive services. Providing HCBS basic support services alone do not fulfill the statutory requirement to provide homecare services (for a fee). Providers who apply for an integrated license but do not provide at least one homecare service to each client will have their (integrated) home care license denied.

The home care license is not a substitute pathway for obtaining 245D licensure from the Department of Human Services (DHS), nor is it intended for providers who wish to offer only 245D basic support services to clients. 

Any licensed home care provider who wishes to provide 245D basic support services as part of a broader care plan for their home care clients, as described in Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.03, subdivision 1(b), and who does not wish to hold a separate 245D license. 

Basic support services provide the level of assistance, supervision, and care that is necessary to ensure the health and welfare of the person and do not include services that are specifically directed toward the training, treatment, habilitation, or rehabilitation of the person. Basic support services include: 

(1) in-home and out-of-home respite care services as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 15, and under the brain injury, community alternative care, community access for disability inclusion, developmental disabilities, and elderly waiver plans, excluding out-of-home respite care provided to children in a family child foster care home licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3000 to 2960.3100, when the child foster care license holder complies with the requirements under section 245D.06, subdivisions 5, 6, 7, and 8, or successor provisions; and section 245D.061 or successor provisions, which must be stipulated in the statement of intended use required under Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3000, subpart 4.

(2) adult companion services as defined under the brain injury, community access for disability inclusion, community alternative care, and elderly waiver plans, excluding adult companion services provided under the Corporation for National and Community Services Senior Companion Program established under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Public Law 98-288. 

(3) personal support as defined under the developmental disabilities waiver plan. 

(4) 24-hour emergency assistance, personal emergency response as defined under the community access for disability inclusion and developmental disabilities waiver plans. 

(5) night supervision services as defined under the brain injury, community access for disability inclusion, community alternative care, and developmental disabilities waiver plans. 

(6) homemaker services as defined under the community access for disability inclusion, brain injury, community alternative care, developmental disabilities, and elderly waiver plans, excluding providers licensed by the Department of Health under chapter 144A and those providers providing cleaning services only. 

(7) individual community living support under section 256S.13. 

(8) individualized home supports services as defined under the brain injury, community alternative care, and community access for disability inclusion, and developmental disabilities waiver plans. 

No, if you are providing intensive support services under 245D you must apply for and hold a 245D license through the Minnesota Department of Human Services. 

Persons receiving home and community-based services who are:

• Disabled
• Age 65 and older

The integrated license HCBS designation became available July 1, 2015. 

1. Download the application from the MDH website.
2. Upload the completed application and any required attachments electronically through the MDH application portal:  Facility and Provider Licensing System. 
3. Pay the application fee. 

• Complete the HCBS Programs Request Form (DHS-6638-ENG) to select the credential that qualifies you for the service.
• Complete the 245D Exclusions Applicant Assurance Statement (DHS-6189Z-ENG).

• The initial application fee for the designation is $155.
• The fee to renew the designation with MDH is:
  • based on revenues from services provided under the designation in the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the license fee is paid.
  • paid annually.
  • non-refundable.
  • in addition to the annual home care license fee.
• See: Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.484 

• Minnesota Statutes 144A.43-144A.484 (for broken out list, see: Home Care Statutes);
• The following Minnesota statutes in Chapter 245D:
  • Service planning and delivery requirements in section 245D.07
  • Protection standards in section 245D.06
  • Emergency use of manual restraints in section 245D.061
  • Protection-related rights in section 245D.04, subdivision 3 (a) (5), (7), (8), (12) and (13) and (b)
• A licensed home care provider with the designation may utilize a bill of rights which incorporates the service recipient rights in section 245D.04, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (5), (7), (8), (12), and (13), and paragraph (b) with the home care bill of rights in section 144A.44. 

MDH staff will monitor providers’ compliance with the requirements of the integrated license. 

Providers who offer intensive support services as governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.03, subdivision 1 (c).

• 245D is the law that governs licensure of providers offering basic support services and intensive support services to recipients of DHS funding.
• Integrated licensing is a specific designation attached to a home care license issued by MDH that allows licensed home care providers to provide basic support services to their home care clients that would normally require a separate 245D license. 

The designation is renewable annually. The renewal date of the designation will coincide with the renewal date of the home care license. The fee is nonrefundable and will not be prorated during the initial license year.

No. Your NETStudy background studies will qualify. However, you must conduct background studies on new managerial officials, board members, owners, employees, contractors and volunteers as required in home care law. See Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.476 for complete information. 

• For 24-hour emergency assistance, adult companion services, personal supports, homemaker services, night supervision, respite care and individualized home supports you must hold either a basic or a comprehensive home care license and be providing basic support services as defined in 245D.03.
• For individual community living support (ICLS), a provider must hold a comprehensive home care license and be providing basic support services as defined in 245D.03. 

Yes. You must register with DHS as an MHCP provider.