Adding a Branch Office Location to a Medicare-certified Home Health Agency

The branch office location must be located in an approved service area. The service area (counties) must be contiguous to the parent’s geographic area.

A Medicare-certified home care agency wishing to add a branch location will complete the following:   

• Home Health Agency Branch Questionnaire (PDF)

Completed Home Health Agency Branch Questionnaire should be emailed:
Attn: Certification Specialist
Email address: Health.HRD-FEDLCR@state.mn.us

CMS 855A application and all supporting documentation should be submitted to the designated Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for the approval.

• CMS 855A Medicare Enrollment Application (PDF)
• (See Medicare Fee-for-Service Provider Enrollment Contact List)

MDH will proceed with the branch location request when we have received the Home Health Agency Branch Questionnaire and a copy of the 855A and approval letter from the MAC.

• If deemed status, the Medicare-certified home care agency will notify the accrediting organization.
  CMS-approved Accrediting Organizations (PDF)

If deemed status, MDH requires a copy of the approval letter from the accrediting organization.

MDH will review the documentation and will forward the questionnaire, 855A and supporting documentation to Region V Office of CMS with our recommendation.

Region V Office of CMS makes the final determination and sends the provider a determination letter, either approving the location as a branch or denying the request for branch status and listing the reasons for the denial.

If Region V Office of CMS denies the branch status, the Medicare-certified home care agency has two options. It can either close the location or request a survey of the location as a separately certified HHA.

• The State Operations Manual - Chapter 2 - Organization of HHA - Chapter 2182 (PDF) provides detailed information about adding a branch.

As of January 13, 2018, CMS will no longer allow Subunits to HHA providers. See SC18-03-HHA Home Health Agency Subunits (PDF). Each HHA with a Subunit must notify MDH and the appropriate MAC if they elect to make the Subunit a distinct HHA, transition to a branch, or terminate participation in Medicare. If no notice is provided, the Subunit will be considered a distinct HHA with certification requirements for an independent governing body and administrator.