§ 31-7-150. Definitions
As used in this article, the term: “Branch office” means a location or site, identified in the application or endorsement thereto, from which a home health agency provides services within a portion of the total geographic area served by the parent agency and which is part of the home health agency and is located sufficiently […]
§ 31-7-151. License Required; License May Not Be Transferred but May Be Suspended or Revoked
No person, private or public organization, political subdivision, or other governmental agency may operate a home health agency as defined in Code Section 31-7-150 without first obtaining a license from the department. A license issued under this article is not assignable or transferable and is subject to suspension or revocation at any time for failure […]
§ 31-7-152. Application for License
Any person, organization, or agency desiring to operate a home health agency shall file with the department an application on a form prescribed, prepared, and furnished by the department. The application shall contain such information as the department may require which is reasonably related to the department’s licensure purpose and function. History. Ga. L. 1980, […]
§ 31-7-153. Standards for Patient Care and Agency Operation; Regulations as to Issuance, Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Licenses; Hearings
The department shall promulgate regulations which define standards for the care, treatment, health, safety, welfare, and comfort of patients served by home health agencies and for the maintenance and operation of home health agencies which will promote safe and adequate care and treatment of the patients. These regulations shall be no less stringent than those […]
§ 31-7-154. Inspections
Each home health agency for which a license has been issued shall be periodically inspected by an authorized representative of the department. Such inspections shall be for the purpose of ensuring that this article is being followed. The department is directed to ensure by inspection that the licensee is providing quality care to its patients […]
§ 31-7-155. Certificates of Need for New Service or Extending Service Area; Exemption From Certificate
No home health agency initiating service or extending the range of its service area shall be licensed unless the department determines, in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 6 of this title and regulations pursuant thereto, that there is a need for said services within the area to be served. All home health agencies which […]
§ 31-7-156. Fee System for Services Under This Article
The department is authorized to establish by standards and policies a fee system which will be applied to all services under this article in order to defray the actual expenses which are incurred by discharging the obligations of this article. History. Ga. L. 1980, p. 1790, § 9.
§ 31-7-157. Exemptions From Article
This article shall not apply to services which are provided under the following conditions: Personal or paraprofessional health services provided either with or without compensation when there is no claim that the service is provided as a part of a licensed home health agency; Professional services provided by persons who are duly licensed for such […]
§ 31-7-158. Penalties for Unlicensed Operation
Any person who operates a home health agency without first obtaining a license pursuant to this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00 or imprisoned for a period not to exceed six months, or both. History. Ga. L. 1980, p. […]
§ 31-7-159. Licensure and Regulation of Home Health Agencies Transferred to Department of Community Health
Effective July 1, 2009, all matters relating to the licensure and regulation of home health agencies pursuant to this article shall be transferred from the Department of Human Resources (now known as the Department of Human Services) to the Department of Community Health. The Department of Community Health shall succeed to all rules, regulations, policies, […]