Reporting for in-home caregivers

 

To: Home care providers   From: CDPHE   On August 30, 2021, the Board of Health adopted emergency amendments to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 - General Licensure Standards, which added a requirement in Part 12 for all facilities and agencies to ensure 100% of their employees, direct contractors, and support staff obtain vaccination against COVID-19. On October 18, 2021, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) announced a blanket waiver of these requirements for live-in caregivers employed by licensed home care agencies.  Based on questions we have received, CDPHE now issues the following clarification regarding the Part 12 reporting requirements and live-in caregivers. Licensed home care agencies shall not include live-in caregivers in their reporting, as these individuals are not subject to the regulation. These individuals should not be included in your agency totals, regardless of the individual’s vaccination status. While live-in caregivers are not required to be vaccinated, CDPHE strongly recommends both live-in caregivers and the loved ones they care for to receive the vaccine. All other employees, direct contractors, and support staff who are not live-in caregivers shall continue to be reported by the agency as required.  Many strategies have been employed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the health care system intact and accessible, and to date Colorado health care systems have been able to provide the necessary care for those seeking health care in Colorado. Over the past year, it has been clear that one strategy gives Colorado the best chance to minimize the impact COVID-19 has on the health care system. That strategy is the vaccine. Again, while live-in caregivers are not required to be vaccinated, CDPHE strongly recommends both live-in caregivers and the loved ones they care for to receive the vaccine. Questions on the emergency amendments and vaccine rulemaking can be directed to cdphe.hfregs@state.co.us.