Qualification requirements for personal care attendants are numerous, and they vary widely among state Medicaid programs, a new report finds.

States have established 300 sets of requirements for personal care attendants nationwide, according to a report by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. There are common requirements, such as training, age, supervision, health and education, but states define certain requirements, such as background checks, differently.

The report said “some level of standardization within states may make monitoring attendant requirements less cumbersome and enhance quality assurance.” Personal care attendants help the elderly, people with disabilities, and others with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and meal preparation in their homes.

See the report at http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-07-05-00250.pdf.