IHSS - In-Home Supportive Services certified provider Authorized vs. Unauthorized Tasks Questions and Answers

Question 1

An IHSS recipient's daughter, who is not an authorized recipient of services, asks you to do her laundry along with her mother's. What is the appropriate action to take?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to do the daughter's laundry and explain that you are only authorized to provide services for the IHSS recipient.

Answer

IHSS providers are only authorized and paid to perform tasks for the eligible IHSS recipient. Performing services for other household members is not permitted under the program rules and could be considered fraud. The correct action is to politely decline and clarify the scope of your authorized duties.

Question 2

Which of the following tasks is considered an 'unauthorized' task for an IHSS provider?

Accepted Answer

Washing the exterior windows of the recipient's home.

Answer

Washing exterior windows is explicitly listed as an unauthorized task. Authorized domestic services are limited to basic housecleaning inside the home, such as sweeping, vacuuming, and cleaning kitchens and bathrooms to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for the recipient.

Question 3

A recipient's doctor has ordered daily wound care, which requires sterile procedures. As an IHSS provider, what must happen before you can perform this task?

Accepted Answer

The task must be authorized as a paramedical service by the county, and you must be trained by a licensed healthcare professional.

Answer

Tasks requiring sterile procedures, like certain types of wound care, are considered paramedical services. For a provider to perform a paramedical service, it must be ordered by a physician, authorized by the county social worker, and the provider must receive specific training from a licensed healthcare professional on how to perform the task safely and correctly.

Question 4

Your IHSS recipient is hospitalized for a week. They ask you to come to their home to water their plants and clean while they are away. How should you record the hours for these tasks?

Accepted Answer

Ask the recipient to pay you directly in cash and do not record the hours on your IHSS timesheet.

Answer

IHSS does not pay for services provided while a recipient is in a hospital or other care facility. Furthermore, tasks like watering plants are generally not covered. Any private arrangement for tasks performed during this time is strictly between the provider and the recipient and cannot be claimed for IHSS payment.

Question 5

Which task related to medication is generally authorized for an IHSS provider without requiring special paramedical authorization?

Accepted Answer

Reminding the recipient to take their pre-sorted medications at the correct time.

Answer

Assisting with self-administration of medication, which includes reminding a recipient to take their medication, is a standard personal care service. Administering injections, crushing pills, or any other task that requires medical judgment is considered a paramedical service and requires specific authorization and training.

(IHSS) In-Home Supportive Services certified provider Practice Test

(IHSS) In-Home Supportive Services certified provider Practice Test

IHSS - In-Home Supportive Services certified provider Authorized vs. Unauthorized Tasks Questions and Answers