In Ohio, home health usually means skilled care at home, such as nursing or physical therapy, while home care means nonmedical help with bathing, dressing, meals and housework. The Ohio Department of Health issues two separate licenses for them: Skilled Home Health Services and Nonmedical Home Health Services.
Two Ohio licenses
| License | Covers |
|---|---|
| Skilled Home Health Services | Skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, medical social services |
| Nonmedical Home Health Services | Home health aide services (bathing, dressing, toileting, walking, meals and feeding) and personal care services (daily activities, housework, laundry, errands, respite) |
Source: Ohio Department of Health. Under Ohio law, a holder of the skilled license may also provide nonmedical services.
Which one does your family need?
If a doctor has ordered nursing, wound care, injections or therapy, you need a skilled provider. If the need is help with daily routines, safety at home and household tasks, nonmedical home care fits. Many families use both at once.
Questions to ask any agency
- Which Ohio license do you hold, and what is the license number?
- Which of the services I need are you licensed to provide?
- Who supervises the caregiver, and how do I reach them?
Common questions
Do all Ohio home care agencies need a license?
The Ohio Department of Health requires home health agencies providing skilled or nonmedical home health services to be licensed, with exceptions such as immediate family members.
Is Lake Erie Home Agency skilled or nonmedical?
Nonmedical. We help with personal care, meals, moving safely and chores around the house, not nursing or therapy.
- Ohio Department of Health, Home Health Agencies
- Ohio Department of Health, Home Health Agency Licensure
- Ohio Revised Code 3740.01, Definitions
General information for Ohio families, not legal or medical advice and not a promise of coverage. Rules change; check the sources.