DIY Manual Adult Day Care Business Development and Operations Manual - Maryland

Adult Day Care Business Development & Operations Manual - Maryland

By Direct Care Training & Resource Center, Inc.
Delivered as a PDF via Email Upon Purchase

Launching an Adult Day Care Program in Maryland is one of the fastest-growing opportunities in aging services—but success depends on navigating Maryland’s highly specific licensing, facility, Medicaid, and operational requirements.

This 2026 field-tested manual provides entrepreneurs and operators with a clear, professional roadmap to open or strengthen a compliant Adult Day Care program, whether you plan to offer a medical model, social model, or both.

This manual includes:

✅ Maryland-recognized program types and oversight agencies

• Adult Medical Day Care (AMDC) licensed through the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ), Maryland Department of Health
• Senior Center Plus programs administered through the Maryland Department of Aging

✅ COMAR licensing requirements and step-by-step startup sequence

• How to submit the required Letter of Interest
• Completing the full AMDC application packet
• Preparing for pre-licensure and routine surveys under COMAR 10.12.04

✅ Physical plant, space, and inspection standards Maryland surveyors enforce

• Activity space formula: 100 sq ft for first 5 participants / 60 sq ft thereafter
• Bathroom rules: 1 toilet + sink per 10 participants, within 30 feet of activity space
• Fire Marshal expectations and life safety readiness

✅ Food service and sanitation compliance

• Requirements under COMAR 10.15.03
• On-site kitchen buildout essentials: hand sinks, 3-compartment wash systems, storage separation, extinguishers, and emergency posting

✅ Transportation requirements and operational safeguards

• Door-through-door supervision standards
• Driver training topics, rest-stop limits, and incident procedures
• Vehicle safety rules surveyors expect documented

✅ Medicaid payer sources, billing structure, and rate planning in Maryland

• Medical Day Care reimbursement is typically per diem (not 15-minute units)
• Key service codes such as S5102 and S5105
• Annual rate updates through Maryland Medical Day Care Transmittals (FY2025 included +3%)

✅ Veterans Affairs contracting opportunities (CCN Region 1 – Optum)

• How to explore VA Adult Day Health Care referrals
• Community Care Network onboarding basics and authorization requirements

✅ Market feasibility and referral development strategies

• Mapping local demand, competition, and waiver case manager referral pipelines
• Financial modeling based on realistic Maryland attendance and payer mix

✅ Professional coaching blueprint (first 60–90 days)

• Policies aligned to COMAR: infection control, medication services, emergency planning, transportation, incident reporting
• Mock survey readiness and corrective action templates to prevent costly delays