What Are the New CDPH Change Application Fees for California Home Health & Hospice Agencies?

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will begin charging fees for a wide range of “Report of Change” applications submitted by licensed home health and hospice agencies. While change applications have always been a regulatory requirement, they’ve now become a financial one too.

At The Home Health Consultant, we help Medicare-certified home health and hospice agencies stay compliant and survey-ready year-round. Our team has processed hundreds of initial, renewal, and change applications on behalf of California agencies over the years, which means we know exactly what pitfalls to avoid and how to plan ahead.

In this article, we break down the new charges, who they apply to, and what your agency needs to do now to prepare and budget accordingly.

Why Is CDPH Charging Fees for Home Health and Hospice Change Applications in 2025?

Historically, many Report of Change filings were processed without an explicit fee structure. But with the FY 2025–2026 update to CDPH’s Licensing and Certification Fee Schedule, that’s changing. These new charges are intended to cover the administrative cost of reviewing and approving agency-level changes.

For home health and hospice agencies in California, this means even routine changes like a new administrator or mailing address now come with a price tag.

When Do the CDPH Report of Change Fees for Home Health & Hospice Agencies in California Go Into Effect?

CDPH will start charging fees for all home health or hospice change applications sent on or after July 1st, 2025. 

What Are the CDPH Report of Change Fees for Home Health Agencies in California?

Below, you’ll find a chart breaking down the new fees that will apply to home health change applications.

For an estimate of what the initial/renewal fees for home health agencies based in LA County are expected to be, see below.

What Are the CDPH Report of Change Fees for Hospice Agencies in California?

Below, you’ll find a chart breaking down the new fees that will apply to hospice change applications.

For an estimate of what the initial/renewal fees for hospice agencies based in LA County are expected to be, see below.

*Important Note: Hospice license fees are billed every two years, not annually. 

What Additional Rules and Surcharges Apply to CDPH Change Fees?

There are a few key details agencies should understand:

Will CDPH Ever Reduce a Change Application Fee?

Yes. If the calculated fee for a change exceeds the standard licensing renewal fee, CDPH will cap it at the renewal rate. This prevents overcharging and ensures equity across providers.

*What is the CDPH L.A. County Surcharge for Change Applications?

There is a 25% surcharge that applies to certain change applications for agencies within LA county. The main type of application fee this will affect is home health and hospice initial licensure & licensure renewals. 

Home Health Agency Based in LA County Initial/Renewal Estimate:

$2,946 (Standard Fee) + $736.50 (25% LA Surcharge) = $3,682.50

Hospice Agency Based in LA County Initial/Renewal Estimate:

$2,780 (Standard Fee) + $695 (25% LA Surcharge) = $3,475

There are other changes the surcharge applies to, however, for home health and hospice agencies, many of these changes are indicated as “Initial/Renewal.” This means the surcharge for the following change applications are already baked into the initial licensure/licensure renewal fee: 

• Change of Ownership (CHOW)
• Change of Location (CHOL)
• Change of Services (CHOS)
• License Suspension Reinstatement (LSR)

Again, when referencing the official CDPH breakdown, if the fee is based on the Initial/Renewal rate, the L.A. County Supplemental Fee is already built in.

How Should Home Health and Hospice Agencies Prepare for These CDPH Fees?

If your agency is in growth mode, experiencing turnover, or planning any organizational changes this update affects you directly. Here’s how to stay prepared:

What Should Be Included in a Home Health or Hospice Budget for CDPH Fees?

Make sure to allocate funds annually for common changes, especially:

• New administrator or DPCS filings
• Ownership transfers
• Facility or mailing address updates
• Geographical Service Area adjustments

Even small changes, like updating a designee, can cost up to $150 for agencies.

Can Submitting the Wrong Fee Cause CDPH Delays?

Yes. If your payment or supporting documentation is incomplete, CDPH may deny your application, which may mean you have to reapply. This would delay approval for critical roles like Administrator or DPCS. This can affect survey outcomes and Medicare billing.

Should Staff Be Trained on the New CDPH Report of Change Fees?

Absolutely. Your compliance and administrative staff need to:

• Understand which changes require a fee
• Use the correct fee amounts
• Track changes to ensure timely filings

Want to see a full list of reportable changes and when to file them? Explore Our Guide to Reportable Changes for CA Home Health & Hospice Agencies below.

*Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal, financial, or professional advice. No consultant-client relationship is established by engaging with this content. You should seek the advice of a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding any legal or business matters. The consultant assumes no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.