HSS Change of Ownership Information: Home Health

Providers must complete this document when they have a change in their ownership structure. This document would be used for both a change of ownership (CHOW) as defined by state and/or federal regulations, or a change of ownership information (CHOI) that does not meet the state and/or federal regulations CHOW definition.

For Health Standards to make a CHOW/CHOI determination, all providers must submit the following documents:

  1. Letter of Intent (including d/b/a (doing business as) and entity name of the previous and the new owner, the effective date of change of ownership, address and phone number).
  2. A diagram showing the ownership structure “before” and “after” the change
  3. Copy of the executed legal transaction documents (Bill of Sale, lease, etc.)
  4. CHOW/CHOI License Application
  5. Change of Ownership Application
  6. 855A/B approval letter for the following Medicare Certified providers: Home Health, hospice, hospitals, RHCs, ASCs, ESRDs, portable x-ray, community mental health, CORF, Nursing Facilities, and OPT.

Note: If this action is a CHOI, the documents above are the only documents you need to submit, however the Department may, at its discretion, request additional documentation in support of the CHOI. If so, you will be contacted for any of said additional documents. There is no fee for a CHOI. 

If this action is a CHOW, the following are also needed:

  1. Does your facility have a CLIA Certificate? If yes, you may also be required to complete a CHOW for CLIA. 

  2. Licensing Fee: Click here for the link for the Health Standards Fee Schedule 

Note: The fee for a CHOW is usually the same as a license renewal unless the facility is making additional changes. For providers completing an acquisition/merger, please contact the program desk for assistance.

Additional Documents Required:

  1. License Application Emergency Preparedness Addendum form (HSS Form)
  2. Form CMS-1572 Home Health Agency Survey & Deficiencies Report:  https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS1572A.pdf
  3. Form CMS-1561 Health Insurance Benefit Agreement (submit 3 forms each with original signatures, sign in the 3rd section as the successor if accepting the provider agreement): https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS1561.pdf
  4. Documentation of qualifications for administrator and director of nursing
  5. Line of Credit from a federally insured, licensed lending agency for at least $75,000
  6. Proof of general and professional liability insurance, and worker’s compensation of at least $300,000.  The certificate holder shall be the Department of Health. 
  7. Proof of criminal background check (CBC) on the administrator and all owners.  If a  corporation, submit proof of CBC on all Board of Directors and principal owners.
  8. Proof of Citizenship (on all owners & administrative personnel)
  9. Electronic verification from the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of successful submission of the attestation:http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/clearance-medicare-providers/index.html
  10. Written documentation of any financial or familial relationship with any other entity providing home health care services in the state
  11. If any owners of the disclosing entity are also owners (Proprietorship, Partnership, or Board Member) of other licensed health care facilities, please submit a list of the names, addresses, and provider numbers for those facilities.

For all other Change of Ownership Information, please contact the HSS Ownership Group