Workers’ Comp Class Code 0942 and Who’s It For?

Understanding which workers’ compensation class codes apply to your employees is one of the most important steps in protecting your business from unnecessary risk. If you’re in the home healthcare industry—particularly operating in Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New Jersey—Class Code 0942 is a classification you need to know. This code doesn’t apply broadly across every state the same way, which is why it’s so important to know exactly how it’s used and who it’s meant for.

Class Code 0942 is especially relevant for businesses that employ licensed medical professionals delivering in-home care. From registered nurses to physical therapists, the work these employees perform often places them in higher-risk environments compared to traditional healthcare settings. Below, we’ll walk through what this class code represents, how it differs by state, how it compares to other similar codes, and how NPN Brokers can help you avoid costly classification mistakes and stay compliant.

What Is Workers’ Comp Class Code 0942?

Class Code 0942 is a workers’ compensation classification that typically applies to skilled medical professionals working for home healthcare agencies. This classification is most commonly used in Pennsylvania and Delaware, where it’s specifically assigned to employers who operate in-home health agencies staffed by medical providers such as registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other skilled clinicians.

These employees perform medical care inside patients’ homes, which introduces a level of risk that’s not present in a standard clinical or hospital environment. Tasks may include wound care, administering medications, monitoring vitals, setting up and using medical equipment, and responding to emergency situations—all in private homes that can be unpredictable and uncontrolled. Because of this, the insurance industry classifies these jobs as higher hazard and assigns a class code—like 0942—that reflects that risk level.

In-home medical work is not only physically demanding, but also exposes staff to a variety of health and safety hazards, including bloodborne pathogens, lifting injuries, and even unpredictable behavior from patients or household members. For that reason, workers falling under Class Code 0942 are typically associated with higher premium rates than clerical or support staff in healthcare organizations.

It’s important to remember that the class code is not just a billing category—it determines how your premiums are calculated and how your business is viewed from a risk standpoint. If you under-classify a higher-risk role under a lower-risk code, not only could you face significant underpayment penalties, but you might also jeopardize your coverage in the event of a claim.

How Class Code 0942 Is Used in Pennsylvania and Delaware

In Pennsylvania and Delaware, Class Code 0942 is widely used by insurance carriers and state rating bureaus to categorize home healthcare agencies that employ professionals providing direct, skilled medical care. These are not administrative or non-medical companion roles—this code is reserved for positions that require licensure and involve tasks like administering injections, managing medical devices, conducting physical therapy, and similar responsibilities.

Employers that misclassify these professionals under a lower-risk code such as one for companions or aides may face unexpected audit findings and backdated premium bills. For example, a nurse performing IV infusions during home visits would absolutely need to be classified under 0942, not under a generalized code for home care. The consequences of misclassification can be steep, both financially and from a legal liability standpoint.

Because these states have a long history of regulating the home healthcare industry, their insurance rating systems are more granular and specific. This means that business owners in Pennsylvania and Delaware need to pay close attention to which roles fall under which codes—and review their job descriptions regularly to ensure accuracy.

If you’re not sure whether a nurse or therapist on your staff should fall under 0942 or another healthcare-related code, it’s critical to work with a broker that understands these distinctions and can guide you through the classification process. That’s where NPN Brokers comes in—we help business owners avoid missteps that can lead to compliance issues or excessive premium costs.

Class Code 0942 in New Jersey: A Different Function

In New Jersey, Class Code 0942 serves a very different purpose than it does in Pennsylvania or Delaware. Rather than classifying skilled home healthcare workers, 0942 is used for premium adjustments under the state’s Plan Premium Adjustment Program (PPAP). This program is designed to fine-tune workers’ comp rates based on a business’s performance and loss history.

This means that in New Jersey, you can’t assume 0942 refers to a specific industry or job type the same way it does in other states. Instead, it acts as a placeholder code for administrative adjustments to workers’ compensation premiums. Using it to classify employees would be incorrect—and could lead to confusion or improper policy setup.

If your business operates in multiple states, especially across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, navigating the difference in how class codes like 0942 are used can quickly become complex. It’s not uncommon for agencies with operations in all three states to accidentally apply the wrong version of the code, resulting in inaccurate payroll classification and under- or overpayment on their premiums.

That’s why it’s so valuable to have a partner like NPN Brokers who understands how class codes are used at the state level. We’ll help you interpret your classifications correctly and adjust them as your operations grow or your team changes roles.

Related Class Codes You Should Know

Class Code 0942 doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader ecosystem of workers’ compensation classifications used for healthcare roles. Here are a few other commonly used codes that may apply depending on the specific duties of your staff:

• Class Code 8827: This code applies to in-home personal care aides who help with non-medical tasks such as cooking, bathing, dressing, and light housekeeping. These roles do not typically require a license and are considered lower risk than skilled medical roles.
• Class Code 8835: Often used for home healthcare agencies that employ a mix of skilled and unskilled workers, including both RNs and aides. This code can vary depending on the state, but generally reflects a broader classification of home care services.
• Class Code 8842: This classification is often applied to visiting nurses or physicians who conduct medical evaluations without engaging in heavy manual labor. It’s more commonly used in office or clinical settings, but sometimes applies to fieldwork depending on the level of patient interaction and physical tasks involved.

Choosing the correct code is more than just an administrative decision—it directly affects your bottom line. Classifying a physical therapist under 8827, for example, would not only be inaccurate but could result in an uncovered claim or a flagged audit.

That’s why NPN Brokers carefully reviews the roles and responsibilities of your employees before recommending coverage. We make sure every person on your payroll is assigned the right code for the work they do.

Why Correct Classification Is Critical for Compliance

Incorrect classification of workers’ comp codes is one of the most common reasons for compliance issues, surprise audits, and premium disputes. Insurance carriers rely on these codes to assess your risk exposure and set fair premium rates. If your employees are misclassified—whether unintentionally or due to outdated job descriptions—you could face serious consequences.

For healthcare employers, the risks of misclassification are even higher. A nurse or therapist miscategorized under a low-risk code might result in denied claims, steep audit penalties, or even policy cancellation. It’s not worth taking that kind of chance with your staff’s safety and your company’s financial health.

At NPN Brokers, we help eliminate that uncertainty. Whether you’re launching a new home healthcare agency, expanding into another state, or just reviewing your current workers’ comp setup, we’ll make sure your classification codes are accurate and up to date.

How NPN Brokers Can Help You Stay Covered and Compliant

Getting workers’ comp insurance right—especially for skilled healthcare providers—takes more than just filling out a form. It requires an understanding of how class codes work, how they vary by state, and how employee roles translate into coverage categories. That’s exactly what we help with at NPN Brokers.

We work with businesses of all sizes, including startups and multi-state agencies, to secure the right coverage quickly and efficiently. You can get a quote in minutes, and in many cases, we can have your coverage in place in as little as 24 hours. We only work with insurance providers that offer no audits, no contracts, and no deposits, giving you the flexibility to pay only for what you use.

If your business operates in the home healthcare sector and you’re not sure whether your staff should be classified under Class Code 0942 or another code like 8827 or 8835, we can help. We’ll walk through your job descriptions, review your existing policies, and work with you to get the right setup from the start.

Give us a call today at (561) 990-3022, or fill out our online quote request form to get started. We’re here to make workers’ comp simple and reliable—no matter how complex your staffing may be.

Get a Workers’ Comp Quote Today

At NPN Brokers, our goal is to make workers’ comp insurance fast, flexible, and stress-free—especially for healthcare businesses managing complex employee roles. Whether you’re a small agency focused on in-home skilled nursing or a larger operation serving multiple counties and states, we’ll help you get the right policy in place and ensure every employee is properly classified.

Don’t risk fines, audits, or denied claims due to incorrect class codes. Let us help you stay compliant and covered. Call (561) 990-3022 or fill out our online form to get your workers’ comp quote started today.