What the purpose of the Personal Home Care Registry?
The purpose is to create a vetting process of home care providers for the government payers to reimburse care providers of good standing, and thereby protect vulnerable persons of the public who may need home care services. The Bermuda Health Council (BHeC) manages the personal home care provider registry.
Who are the government payers?
The government payers are:
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- Health Insurance Department (HID) for HIP and FutureCare policyholders.
- Dept. of Financial Assistance (DFA)
- Dept. of Social Insurance (DOSI) for War Vets provide home care benefits on behalf of their clients.
Why register?
Registration is for caregivers and agencies providing care to someone in their own home, not other care settings. In order to receive claim reimbursement from one of the government payers a caregiver MUST have active, approved status on the Health Council Personal Home Care Registry.
Care Agencies must have an up to date Provider Advantage Program Registration and approval from the Home Care Team at the Bermuda Health Council.
Please note: Nursing Associates and RNs MUST register in 2 ways:
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- First with the Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC) to obtain a license to practice nursing in Bermuda;
- And then with Bermuda Health Council to register as a home care provider in a person’s private home.
Who can register?
Individuals may register as a self -employed person provided they are fit and proper, and meet all eligibility requirements. Persons with criminal convictions or history of senior abuse may not be eligible.
Care Agencies should register and complete the registration process through the Provider Advantage Program Registration (Application) at the Bermuda Health Council.
What documents are required to register as an individual?
This information below is for NEW and RENEWING applicants.
Personal Caregiver Persons caring for their family member or an independent caregiver who does not have formal training.
Skilled Caregiver Nursing Associate or Registered Nurse (RN or EN)
- Resume: Resume of past work experience.
- Reference: You may use a reference that has been written previously or download the reference template.
- Medical Certificate: Click here for medical certificate template.
- Copy of Photo ID: Upload a photo or copy.
- Criminal Record Check: Must be of the past 7 years – by BDA Police Service or Magistrates Court issued within the last 12 Months.
- CPR: Must be up to date. If your CPR expires and you do not update it in the online system, your payments may be suspended.
- Work permit/spousal letter/PRC (if applicable) – Upload a photo or copy
- Reference: You may use a reference that has been written previously or download the reference template.
- Medical Certificate: Click here for medical certificate template.
- Copy of Photo ID: Upload a photo or copy.
- Criminal Record Check: Must be of the past 7 years – by BDA Police Service or Magistrates Court issued within the last 12 Months.
- CPR: Must be up to date. If your CPR expires and you do not update it in the online system, your payments may be suspended.
- Work permit/spousal letter/PRC (if applicable) – Upload a photo or copy.
- Bermuda Nursing Council License Card
Where do I register as an individual?
To register as a home care provider visit www.helpingservices.bm.
How do I register?
Pre-application
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- Determine which type of Care Provider you are applying for-
- Personal caregiver individual caregiver or family caregiver
- Skilled caregiver – Nursing Associate, Geriatric aid, Nursing Assistant (Must be registered with the Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery council)
- Nurse – RN/EN (Must be registered with the Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery council)
- Ensure you have ALL the required documents as listed in the: What documents are required to register as an individual section above.
- Determine which type of Care Provider you are applying for-
Application Process
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- Ensure you have ALL the required documents
- Once ALL these documents are prepared and available, you will need to create an account on the helpingservices.bm website, select “create an account/log-in”
If you have previously logged in, sign in using the email and password you created.
If you do not remember your password, select “Forgot password” below the registration box. An email will be sent to you to reset your password.
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- Complete the first page application and click “Proceed” to save the information. *Be sure to enter your name at the top of the page. This part is often missed.
- Read and Check online screening questions and declarative statement, click SUBMIT to indicate your
- Continue through the application and upload your documents on the final page. Documents can easily be uploaded on the computer from a pdf, jpeg, or other file on your computer. You may also use the camera on a cell phone and take a photo, and use the website upload button to select your photos, and insert into your application. Ensure the photo is clear and all details are visible. We do not accept paper applications.
How do I know when I am approved/active as registered home care provider?
Approval letters are emailed once all documents are reviewed and verified. This may take 3-7 business days. The approval letter will include your approval date and expiry date.
You should keep a copy of this letter to show potential clients if requested. Your submitted application MUST be completed before it is reviewed or approved. There is no backdating for your approval date. Incomplete applications will delay review and approval.
When does my home care provider registration expire?
Once approved your home care provider registration expires in 2 years, or, if you are a licensed nursing professional, on the same date as when your nursing license expires, whichever comes first.
When do I need to update my profile or renew MY REGISTRATION?
You are responsible to update/renew your profile online when there are changes to your contact information or availability to clients.
All documents need to be renewed every 2 years. Renewal of registration must be completed before their expiration date.
Nursing professionals may have a sooner expiry date for this registry as it will be the same date as your Bermuda Nursing & Midwifery Council registration expiry date.
What if I am already licensed as a Nursing Associate or Nurse?
Registration with the Bermuda Health Council is separate from the Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery council (BNMC) license and specific to providing care in a person’s home.
If you are planning to register for home care as a skilled caregiver, Nurse Associate (NA)/ Geriatric Associate (GA), or Nurse (RN, EN), your BNMC license must be current.
What if my License as a nursing associate or nurse has lapsed?
Once your BNMC License lapses, if you are registered with the Bermuda Health Council as a skilled care giver or nurse, you are no longer eligible to submit claims as that type of home care provider. To be considered a skilled care giver or nurse it requires that your BNMC license is current.
The scope of practice and responsibilities of the nursing profession is regulated by the Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery Act. Only providers who are current in their registration with the BNMC may represent themselves to the public as such.
How do I register as a home care agency?
Home Care agencies MUST register their business with the Bermuda Health Council Provider Advantage Program. To register click here or visit www.bhec.bm/forms and select Registering Health Service Providers.
*Home care agencies are NO LONGER required to register on the helping services website.
Agencies will need to submit the following details during the application process and must have the following information on file for each of their staff:
| 1. Full employee listing | |
| 2. Screening questions and Declarative Statement | Each employee should complete this form. Click here |
| 3. Medical Certificate | Click here for medical certificate template |
| 4. Copy of Photo ID | Each employee |
| 5. Criminal Record check | Must be of the past 7 years – by BDA Police Service or Magistrate Court– issued within the last 24 months |
| 6. Work permit/spousal letter (if applicable) | Copy of work permit, spousal letter or PRC.
For work permit holders- a copy of the work permit is required that identifies the:
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*All employees listed on the employee listing form should also be registered with the Bermuda Health Council as individual providers.
As a Home Care agency what if my employee listing changes?
The Home care agency owner/admin will need to submit an additional employee listing form for any new or terminated employees. This can be emailed to registrations@bhec.bm.
Okay, I have been approved as a home care provider. How do I get paid?
As a home care provider your payments for service should be determined as part of the service care agreement (Contract) you make with a client.
Your payments may come from more than one source depending on your client. Payments or reimbursements from the government payers are on behalf of the policyholder.
*The policyholder employs the home care provider, not the government.
- HID Policyholders require prior approval, and a nursing care needs assessment for the Personal Home Care Benefit.
- Department of Financial Assistance and War Vet clients also have eligibility and prior approval criteria so it is best for the client to check with these departments directly.
- Go to : https://www.gov.bm/personal-home-care-benefit for details, and claim forms you will need.
Most claims should be submitted to the Health Insurance Department, however some DFA or War Veteran clients do not qualify for the Health Insurance Department’s (HID) Personal Home Care Benefit. The DFA or War Vet case worker may direct the client to submit these claims directly to their office.
You may also need to submit invoices to your client for any charges not covered by their home care insurance/government benefits. Your invoices need to show for each time period: the total amount charged, the amount reimbursed from their government benefit, and the remaining balance due.
What do I need to know as a home care provider to submit proper claims to the government payers?
All health care providers are responsible and accountable for the claims submitted in their name.
Home care providers may only bill for services they delivered directly. You may not submit claims in your name as the provider if someone else is providing the care
If you are registered with The Bermuda Health Council (BNMC) as a skilled care provider, you are no longer eligible to submit claims if your BNMC license lapses, as you are required to maintain current BNMC license.
Home care providers may only bill for services they delivered directly. You may not submit claims in your name as the provider if someone else is providing the care.
You may only submit a claim for actual dates and times of service that you provided care to the client.
You may also need to submit invoices to your client for any charges not covered by their home care insurance/government benefits.
Your invoices need to show for each time period: the total amount charged, the amount reimbursed from their government benefit, and the remaining balance due.
Home Care providers are not permitted to ask for upfront payments from clients before service is delivered.
The scope of practice and responsibilities of the nursing profession is regulated by the Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery Act. Only providers who are current in their licensure with the Bermuda Nursing and Midwifery council may represent themselves to the public as such.
Where can I access a computer, printer, and scanner?
If you do not have access to a computer or printer in your home, consider:
- Scanning and uploading documents using a smartphone by using a scanner app or by taking a picture and then uploading into your application.
- You may also ask a friend or family member for assistance.