Resources for your Hospice Agency
The internet is a big place. With that in mind, we wanted to bring together a collection of the most useful, and sometimes hard to find, resources and websites for home care and hospice providers. This page will continue to grow, adjust, and be updated over time. Information presented on this page is believed to be accurate at the time it was posted here. OCHCH is not responsible for content on any site other than ochch.org.
Notice: This page is new (June 2026) and is not considered to be comprehensive at this time. We have published it as a work in progress to allow the community early access to currently curated resources. Please email ochch@ochch.org with any suggestions, comments, or questions.
Use the links below to jump to a section or scroll down.
CMS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that provides health coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, and related programs. CMS works in partnership with the entire health care community to improve quality, equity and outcomes in the health care system. cms.gov
CMS Hospice Center | cms.gov
Billing and Payment Policies (12/18/2025) | Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 9 (pdf)
Regulations (3/5/2026) | Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 9 (pdf)
State Operations Manual (SOM, 6/7/2024) | SOM Appendix M – Guidance to Surveyors: Hospice
Conditions of Participation (COPs) | 42 CFR Part 418 Hospice Care
Medicare Hospice Coverage | Medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care
Medicare Learning Network (MLN) | Publications & Multimedia
Medicare Fraud & Abuse Resources | Reporting Fraud | Resource Booklet (pdf)
The State of Ohio
Ohio Department of Medicaid | medicaid.ohio.gov
ODM Hospice Services | medicaid.ohio.gov/resources-for-providers
Ohio Department of Aging | aging.ohio.gov
Ohio Department of Health | odh.ohio.gov
ODH Hospice Program | odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/hospice
Register of Ohio Rules | registerofohio.state.oh.us/rules/search
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Help Center | jfs.ohio.gov/help-center/help-center-sa
Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) | info.bwc.ohio.gov
Ohio Board of Nursing | nursing.ohio.gov
Ohio Department of Insurance | insurance.ohio.gov
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency | epa.ohio.gov
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities | dodd.ohio.gov
Ohio Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Board | otptat.ohio.gov
Ohio State Board of Pharmacy | pharmacy.ohio.gov
Ohio Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology | shp.ohio.gov
Counselor Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board | cswmft.ohio.gov
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation | ohioattorneygeneral.gov
Ohio Secretary of State | ohiosos.gov | Search by Business Name
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
The Ohio Department of Aging designates planning and service areas for the state and designates an area agency on aging to serve each area. Visit aging.ohio.gov for locations, contact info, and counties covered by each agency.
- Region 1, Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio | Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, & Warren counties | help4seniors.org
- Region 2, Area Agency on Aging PSA 2 (West Central Ohio) | Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, & Shelby counties | info4seniors.org
- Region 3, Area Agency on Aging 3 (Lower Northwestern Ohio) | Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam, & Van Wert counties | aaa3.org
- Region 4, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio | Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Sandusky, Williams, & Wood counties | areaofficeonaging.com
- Region 5, Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging (North Central Ohio) | Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca, & Wyandot counties | aaa5ohio.org
- Region 6, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging | Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, & Union counties | coaaa.org
- Region 7, Area Agency on Aging District 7 (Southern Ohio) | Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, & Vinton counties | aaa7.org
- Region 8, Buckeye Hills Regional Council: Aging & Disability (Southeastern Ohio) | Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, & Washington counties | buckeyehills.org
- Region 9, Area Agency on Aging Region 9 (East Central Ohio) | Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum, & Tuscarawas counties | aaa9.org
- Region 10A, Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (Eastern Lakefront Area) | Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, & Medina counties | areaagingsolutions.org
- Region 10B, Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities | Portage, Stark, Summit, & Wayne counties | dhad.org
- Region 11, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio | Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, & Trumbull counties | dheo.org
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is part of the United States Department of Labor. OSHA’s mission is to assure America’s workers have safe and healthful working conditions free from unlawful retaliation.
Ohio Area Offices are located in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. Visit this page for addresses and contact information.
Provider Search & Comparisons
There are several official sites that contain detailed provider information and ratings. While aimed at health care consumers, these sites serve as useful tools for agencies to ensure their online profile is correct, and have visibility on neighboring providers.
Care Compare | Medicare.gov Provider Search Portal | You can use this tool to find and compare different types of Medicare providers (like physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and others). Use our maps and filters to help you identify providers that are right for you.
OCHCH | Home Care & Hospice Resource Directory | Are you looking for a care provider in your area? Are you a business in need of essential services? This directory, powered by OCHCH Members, is a free, searchable resource to help you identify the connections you need.
HIPAA
The HIPAA Security Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals’ electronic protected health information that is created, received, used, or maintained by a covered entity or its business associate. The Security Rule requires implementation of appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information.
HIPAA Homepage | HHS.gov/HIPAA | The main jumping off point for all things HIPAA.
The Security Rule | HIPAA for Professionals/Security | Updates and resources specific to the Security Rule for professional use.
Security Risk Assessment Tool | HealthIT.gov | The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), in collaboration with the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR), developed a downloadable Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Tool to help guide you through the process. The tool is designed to help healthcare providers conduct a security risk assessment as required by the HIPAA Security Rule. The target audience of this tool is medium and small providers; thus, use of this tool may not be appropriate for larger organizations.
OCR’s HIPAA Audit Program | Compliance & Enforcement | The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH) requires HHS to periodically audit covered entities and business associates for their compliance with the requirements of HIPAA.
HQRP
The Hospice Quality Reporting Program was established under section 1814(i)(5) of the Social Security Act. The HQRP includes data submitted by hospices through the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE), data collection tool, data from Medicare hospice claims, and an experience of care survey, the Hospice Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Survey.
CMS HQRP Overview – This is the official website for providers to receive updates and announcements related to the HQRP.
HQRP Measures – The information on this webpage is specific to the quality measures (QMs) that are calculated using the Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation (HOPE).
HQRP Training – The purpose of this page is to provide access to materials from past Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) trainings and educational events.
Fiscal Intermediary: Palmetto GBA
As a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), Palmetto GBA (Government Benefits Administrator) is one of the nation’s largest providers of high volume claims and transaction processing, contact center operations, and technical services.
Jurisdiction M Home Health and Hospice Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) | Home Health and Hospice providers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) | Select “Active” for those now in effect.
New Agency Enrollment | Provider Enrollment in Jurisdiction M HHH | Your hub for enrolling as a Medicare Provider.
Education & Webinars | palmettogba.com | Palmetto GBA offers education to providers through both electronic and live, in-person events.
Accrediting Bodies
Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) | achc.org | ACHC delivers accreditation grounded in what matters most: clear expectations, consistent support, and a collaborative, educational approach backed by nationally recognized standards and CMS deeming authority. OCHCH members are eligible for special savings with ACHC. Learn more.
Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) | chapinc.org | CHAP is an independent, non-profit, accrediting body for home and community-based healthcare organizations. CHAP is a CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) approved accreditor. CHAP accreditation helps agencies have processes to ensure ongoing quality. OCHCH members are eligible for special savings with CHAP. Learn more
The Joint Commission | jointcommission.org | Joint Commission is a global driver of quality improvement and patient safety in health care. Through leading practices, unmatched knowledge and expertise, and rigorous standards, we help organizations across the continuum of care lead the way to zero harm.
Background Checks
The following are links to regulations regarding background checks as well as seven essential databases.
Ohio Department of Aging | Chapter 173-9, Criminal Records Check | Ohio Administrative Code regarding background checks for paid direct-care positions.
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities | Rule 5123-2-02 | Background Investigations for Employment | This rule establishes standards for conducting background investigations on persons employed or seeking employment in Ohio’s service delivery system for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ohio Department of Health | Chapter 3701-60 | Ohio Administrative Code specific to Home Health Agencies.
Ohio Department of Medicaid | Rule 5160-45-07 | ODM-administered waiver programs: criminal records checks involving agency providers.
SAM (System for Award Management) | sam.gov | Names of people who have defrauded the federal government.
OIG (HHS) | exclusions.oig.hhs.gov | Names of people who have defrauded the federal government.
Abuser Registry: | dodd.ohio.gov | Maintained by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
Sex Offender Search: | ohio.gov | Ohio Attorney General’s sex offender and child-victim offender database.
Offender Search | ohio.gov | Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction’s offender search.
Nurse Aide Registry | nurseaideregistry.odh.ohio.gov | This database contains names of nurse aides in good and bad standing with the Ohio Department of Health.
ODM Provider Exclusion List | medicaid.ohio.gov | The Ohio Department of Medicaid list of providers who have been excluded or that are currently suspended from the Ohio Medicaid program.
Additional Resources
The Conversation Project – Free conversation guides, resources, and videos that can help you have conversations with the important people in life about your – or their – wishes for care through the end of life.
Advance Care Planning Worksheets – published by the National Institute on Aging
How to Access Hospice Care – published by the Hospice Foundation of America
Caring with Respect: Supporting Cultural Needs in Palliative Care – published by National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care
The Importance of Cultural Competence in Pain and Palliative Care – published by the National Library of Medicine
Related Health Organizations
The following are links to organizations supporting health care providers in Ohio.
Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice (OCHCH), Columbus, OH | ochch.org
Ohio Community at Home Network (OCHN), Columbus, OH | theochn.org
National Alliance for Care at Home, Washington, DC | allianceforcareathome.org
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, Carnegie, PA | advancingexpertcare.org
Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network | swhpn.org
American Nurses Association, Silver Spring, MD | nursingworld.org
Home Care Association of America, Washington, DC | hcaoa.org
American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare), Arlington, VA | aahomecare.org
National League for Nursing, Washington, DC | nln.org
National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter (NASW), Worthington, OH | naswoh.org
Ohio Hospital Association (OHA), Columbus, OH | ohiohospitals.org
Ohio Nurses Association (ONA), Columbus, OH | ohnurses.org
Ohio Physical Therapy Association (OPTA), Westerville, OH | ohiopt.org
Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA), Columbus, OH | osma.org
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