What is Workers’ Comp Class Code 8835 Used For?

When you’re in the home healthcare business, making sure your workers’ comp policy is set up correctly isn’t just a formality—it’s a vital part of protecting both your staff and your company. One of the most important elements of your workers’ compensation insurance is identifying and using the correct classification codes for your employees. These codes directly impact your premium rates and how claims are handled. For businesses providing in-home healthcare services, workers’ comp class code 8835 is the classification you’ll likely come across most often.

This code is specifically tailored to home health care providers and the wide range of services they deliver directly in a patient’s home. Using the wrong class code—especially in a setting as variable and high-touch as home care—can lead to costly errors, from audit penalties to denied claims. Below, we’ll break down what class code 8835 includes, who it applies to, how it compares to similar codes, and how NPN Brokers can make sure your policy is accurate and compliant.

Understanding Workers’ Comp Class Code 8835

Class Code 8835 is used to classify workers who provide healthcare services inside a patient’s residence. These services are not limited to medical care alone, but also include support with everyday tasks and emotional well-being. The code applies broadly to both public and private home health agencies, individual caregivers, and businesses that offer services that range from clinical to non-clinical.

The reason class code 8835 exists is to assign an appropriate risk rating for employees who work in environments that are uncontrolled and unpredictable—like a patient’s home. Unlike a hospital or clinic, each home has different layouts, hazards, and challenges. Employees may be lifting patients, navigating staircases, or working in tight spaces. The varied nature of this work means that insurers must accurately assess the level of exposure to risk, and class code 8835 is designed to do just that.

Businesses that fall under this classification often provide skilled services such as administering medications, managing wound care, assisting with physical therapy, or delivering mental health support. Others may offer non-medical care such as meal preparation, bathing assistance, companionship, or help with mobility and light housekeeping. These services are crucial to a patient’s ability to remain safely and comfortably at home, and they come with unique risks that are best captured under this classification.

What Types of Employees Are Covered Under Code 8835?

One of the reasons class code 8835 is so widely used in the home health care field is because of the variety of job roles it includes. The code covers a wide spectrum of healthcare professionals who work outside traditional clinical settings and inside private residences.

This includes Registered Nurses (RNs) who may be performing skilled tasks like IV administration, patient assessments, or medication management. It also applies to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), who are often tasked with direct patient care such as hygiene assistance and monitoring of vital signs. Home Health Aides (HHAs) also fall under this code, as they typically provide more hands-on help with daily living activities such as dressing, toileting, grooming, and ambulation.

In addition to these roles, the code extends to therapists—including physical, occupational, and speech therapists—who treat patients at home as part of recovery or long-term care plans. Social workers and counselors who visit patients to provide mental health or emotional support are also typically included under this classification. Even companions and homemakers, who may not have a medical license but still play a vital role in supporting clients, can be classified under 8835 if they are employed by a home healthcare agency.

In short, any employee providing ongoing care, therapeutic services, or support inside a private home environment is likely to fall under the scope of this classification. It’s especially important to note that the location of care—not just the job title—is a deciding factor when determining whether 8835 is the correct code to use.

Similar Class Codes to 8835

While code 8835 covers a wide range of in-home care services, there are similar workers’ comp class codes used in healthcare settings that differ slightly based on environment or level of care. Understanding these related codes can help ensure that your employees are not misclassified, especially if your business operates in multiple settings.

One example is Class Code 8824, which is used for healthcare employees working in retirement living centers or assisted living communities. Although these workers may perform similar duties as those in home healthcare, the work environment—a structured, shared living facility—is what differentiates it from in-home services. Using 8824 instead of 8835 could make a big difference in how a policy is priced and audited.

Another related code is 8832, which generally applies to physicians or medical professionals who are not providing direct patient care in homes but may be conducting administrative or consultative work. If you have medical directors or clinical supervisors who oversee care remotely or provide limited fieldwork, this may be the more appropriate classification.

Code 8829 is commonly used for employees in nursing homes or convalescent centers, where more intensive care is provided on a facility-based level. These settings are governed by different regulations, staffing requirements, and safety protocols, making their risk levels distinct from home-based care.

Lastly, Class Code 8810 is worth noting. This code is used for clerical office employees who are not exposed to the same risks as field staff. If you run a home healthcare agency, your front-desk receptionists, billers, and office managers would likely fall under this low-risk classification.

By working with NPN Brokers, we can review your operations and employee roles in detail to ensure each worker is appropriately classified. This helps avoid inflated premiums and prevents issues during audits or claims processing.

Why Getting the Class Code Right Matters

There’s a lot at stake when it comes to workers’ comp classification. Incorrectly classifying your employees doesn’t just impact your bottom line—it can lead to compliance issues, coverage gaps, and unwanted legal complications. If you’re using a class code with a lower risk rating than what your employees’ duties require, an insurer may retroactively adjust your premiums or even deny coverage for an injury. On the other hand, overestimating your risk by using a higher-rated code can result in unnecessarily high premiums.

For home healthcare agencies, where staff roles may blur the lines between clinical and non-clinical care, getting the classification right is especially important. For example, a home health aide who helps with light cleaning and companionship might still need to assist with lifting or bathing—raising the risk profile beyond what a basic companion role might suggest.

NPN Brokers works directly with staffing and healthcare companies to remove the uncertainty around classification. We understand the nuances of workers’ comp codes like 8835 and can ensure that your business is correctly categorized. That means fewer surprises during audits, accurate premium costs, and peace of mind knowing your employees are properly covered.

NPN Brokers Can Help You Stay Compliant and Protected

Navigating workers’ compensation coverage is especially challenging for businesses that operate in healthcare, particularly in roles where employees work remotely in clients’ homes. At NPN Brokers, we’ve helped many home healthcare agencies across the country get fast, affordable, and compliant coverage—often in industries that other brokers find too complicated or risky.

We work exclusively with insurance carriers that make things easier on business owners. That means no annual contracts locking you in, no upfront deposits to worry about, and no time-consuming audits. You can pay-as-you-go, which is ideal for agencies with fluctuating hours and staffing needs.

If you’re in the home health care field and aren’t sure whether class code 8835 is the right one for your workers—or if you suspect you might be misclassified—give us a call at (561) 990-3022 or fill out our online quote request form. We can get you a quote in minutes and coverage in as little as 24 hours. Our job is to take the stress out of workers’ comp so you can focus on the work that matters: caring for your clients.

Get a Quote for Home Health Care Workers’ Comp Today

Your employees do important work helping others—make sure you’re helping them stay protected on the job. Using the right class code like 8835 is critical for keeping your agency compliant, avoiding penalties, and ensuring that your workers have access to the benefits they need in the event of an accident or injury.

NPN Brokers is here to guide you through the process, whether you’re setting up a new policy or want to review your current classification setup. Call us today at (561) 990-3022 or fill out our quote request form online to get started. We’ll make sure your home healthcare team has the workers’ comp coverage it needs—without the hassle.