Class code 8835 covers home health care staff — one of the fastest-growing classifications in the comp system, and one of the most claim-active: patient lifting and transfer injuries make this a code where safety practice visibly moves premiums.

Who falls under 8835

Home health aides, visiting nurses, and personal care staff providing care in clients’ homes — the core payroll of home health agencies and many personal-care businesses.

Common misclassification traps

Registry and 1099 caregiver models are the recurring dispute: agencies that treat caregivers as independent contractors often see them reclassified as employees at audit, with the payroll charged back at 8835 rates. Travel time and companion-care versus hands-on-care distinctions also generate classification questions.

Rate context

8835 typically prices in the mid single dollars per $100 of payroll — meaningful across a growing agency’s payroll. Lift training, two-person transfer protocols, and early return-to-work programs demonstrably improve mods in this class. See our guide to how premiums are calculated for the full mechanics.

Related codes

8829 (nursing home staff), 8832 (physician office staff) for clinic-based payroll, 8810 for genuinely separated office staff.

Class code 8835 FAQs

What does class code 8835 cover?

Home health aides, visiting nurses, and personal-care staff working in clients’ homes — the core classification for home health agencies.

What’s the biggest misclassification risk with 8835?

1099/registry caregiver models reclassified as employment at audit, with payroll charged back at 8835 rates. Patient-lift injury claims also make mods swing faster here than in most classes.

What does 8835 cost per $100 of payroll?

Mid single dollars per $100 of payroll in most states. Lift protocols and return-to-work programs are the proven mod-movers for this class.

Can one business use multiple class codes?

Usually, yes — most businesses have an office/clerical component (8810) alongside their governing class, and payroll can often be split when records support it. Done correctly, splitting payroll across codes is one of the most reliable premium reductions available. Done sloppily, it’s an audit dispute.

Not sure your operation is classified correctly? Misclassification runs both directions — some businesses overpay for years, others build audit bombs. Have us review your class codes, or browse the full class code guide.