Connecticut Appropriations Committee Rejects Home Care Provider Registry

The Connecticut Appropriations Committee decided not to move forward with a home care provider registry.

​House Bill 5001, a priority bill for legislative leadership, required the commissioner of Social Services to develop and maintain a home care provider registry and data processing system that promotes awareness of and access to qualified home care providers for recipients of Medicaid home- and community-based services and may support the recruitment, retention, and oversight of qualified home care providers.

In testimony to the Aging Committee, the HCAOA Connecticut Chapter said that the registry raised numerous issues, such as administrative costs and who would pay for it, maintenance, and how its data and information would remain current and up to date. The Chapter opposes a registry that includes all caregivers and applies to all home care agencies and participants in other Medicaid waiver programs or private pay clients. Such a registry would expose caregivers to fraud, identity theft, poaching, and safety issues; undermine privacy and the ability of home care agencies to keep their employees safe; put home care agencies at risk; increase costs for clients; and could lead to organizing the home care workforce.

Beginning July 1, 2025, House Bill 5001 requires caregivers to wear an identification badge with their name and photograph during client appointments. The bill goes to the House for further consideration.