Violation

California Code § 87609(b)(4)Home Health Agency Agreements

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects rcfe31 facilities cited in the last 90 days

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

Regulation text

What California Code § 87609(b)(4) actually says

California Code § 87609(b)(4)

The licensee and home health agency agree in writing on the responsibilities of the home health agency, and those of the licensee in caring for the resident’s medical condition(s).

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

LPAs will compare your resident records against the home health agency's file during a complaint inspection. If there is no signed, written agreement dividing medical responsibilities, your community will be cited. Draft a clear, specific agreement before any outside agency begins caring for your residents.

By the numbers

31^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
10^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady

31 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Home Health Agency Agreements

Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Create a written agreement with the home health agency.
Outline the medical responsibilities of the home health agency.
Detail the care responsibilities of the RCFE staff.
Keep the agreement in the resident's file.

What to avoid

Relying on verbal agreements with home health nurses.
Failing to update the agreement when medical conditions change.
Using a generic agreement that lacks specific care assignments.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records.

Regional citations for Home Health Agency Agreements, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Fresno	8	--	--
Kern	7	--	--
Contra Costa	4	--	--
Alameda	3	--	--
Ventura	2	--	--
San Mateo	2	--	--
Los Angeles	2	--	--
Monterey	1	--	--
Riverside	1	--	--
San Francisco	1	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-30Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is a home health agency agreement violation?

A violation of Title 22, Section 87609(b)(4) happens when an RCFE and a home health agency fail to sign a written agreement detailing who is responsible for a resident's medical care. Without this document, staff roles are unclear. This puts residents at risk of missed medical treatments.

How common are home health agreement violations in California?

According to CCLD inspection data, 31 California RCFEs were cited for failing to establish these written agreements. This is classified as a Type B violation, meaning it creates a potential risk rather than an immediate danger. Operators often overlook this paperwork when outside agencies are involved.

What happens if my facility is missing this written agreement?

The facility receives a Type B citation from the Licensing Program Analyst. You will need to write a plan of correction and submit the signed agreement to CCLD. While Type B citations carry lower civil penalties than Type A, they still go on your facility's public record.

How do I fix or prevent an agreement violation?

Ask your administrator to draft a standardized agreement template for all home health and hospice providers. The document must clearly separate the RCFE's daily care duties from the agency's medical tasks. Have both parties sign it and place a copy directly in the resident's file.

Does a missing agreement affect my RCFE license?

It can. The Community Care Licensing Division expects operators to manage all outside care providers properly. Multiple Type B documentation failures show a pattern of administrative neglect. This can trigger increased inspections and put your license under formal review.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed residential care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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