Start a Home Health Agency: 10 Requirements & Things to Know

Embarking on a journey to start a home health agency can be as rewarding as it is challenging. If you’re considering this venture but find yourself asking, “Where do I begin?” or “What should I know beforehand?” — you’re not alone. Here’s a guide to set you on the right track, addressing the essentials you need to know to lay a strong foundation for your business.

Requirements of Opening a Home Care Agency

To start a home health agency, you must meet various federal, state, and local conditions. Below is a list of common requirements that you, as the owner, would need to adhere to:

1. Business registration and structure: First, you must legally register your business and decide on the structure. Will you operate as an LLC? A corporation? You’ll need to have that determined from the start.
2. State licensing: You must obtain a state license to operate a home health agency, which typically involves an application process, fees, and a review of your policies and procedures.
3. Medicare and Medicaid certification: If you plan to receive payment from Medicare or Medicaid, certification is required, which involves meeting the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and passing a survey from the state health department.
4. Accreditation: While optional, accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission or the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) can lend credibility and may be required by some payers.
5. Professional staff credentials: To provide the best care for your patients, ensure that all medical staff, including nurses, therapists, and aides, are properly licensed and certified according to state and federal regulations.
6. Background checks: Conduct thorough background checks on all employees to help safeguard your patients and staff.
7. Insurance: In order to protect employers, employees, and patrons, all businesses should be insured. To properly start a home health agency, you’ll need insurance coverage, including professional liability, workers’ compensation, and general liability insurance.
8. Policy and procedure manuals: Craft detailed policy and procedure guides that adhere to both state and federal mandates, covering patient care protocols, staff guidelines, emergency response plans, and confidentiality measures in line with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Additionally, establish policies that align with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to ensure a safe work environment.
9. Contracts, billing, and coding: Be sure to prepare legal contracts and consent forms that clearly outline the scope of services, fees, and consent for treatment. You’ll also need to set up billing and coding systems, especially if dealing with Medicare and Medicaid services.
10. Training programs: As a responsible business owner, you’ll need to provide ongoing training programs to your staff to ensure high-quality patient care. As a part of your training, you’ll also want to implement a quality assurance and performance improvement program to monitor and improve the care services provided.

Meeting these requirements is essential for operating legally and ethically, providing high-quality care, and ensuring the safety of both clients and employees. It’s advisable to consult with legal and healthcare consultants to navigate the complexities of these requirements effectively.

Why Consider a Franchise?

Opening a home care agency on your own can be overwhelming. However, there is the option of joining an established franchise brand instead of doing everything yourself. Choosing to partner with a franchise, like Always Best Care, means you’re not alone in your journey. You’ll have access to resources and expertise that can help you navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry. Additionally, you’ll get the benefit of:

• Brand recognition: A franchise comes with the advantage of brand awareness. Clients are often more comfortable choosing a service that has a recognized name and a reputation for quality.
• Proven business model: Reputable franchises provide a refined business model, which can significantly reduce the risks associated with starting a new business from scratch.
• Training and support: Franchisees receive extensive training and ongoing support from the franchisor, which can be invaluable for those new to the industry or to business ownership.
• Marketing and advertising: Franchisors curate national and even regional marketing campaigns at a level that would be out of reach for an independent business owner. This can help drive business to your agency.
• Regulatory guidance: Navigating the regulatory environment of home healthcare can be complex. Franchisors often provide guidance and resources to help franchisees comply with relevant laws and policies.
• Networking opportunities: Being part of a franchise system allows you to network with other franchisees, share best practices, and learn from the experience of others in the industry.
• Territorial rights: Franchisees are often granted exclusive rights to operate in a certain territory, which can protect your investment from internal competition within the franchise network.

By investing in a franchise, you can leverage these advantages to build a successful home health agency while mitigating many of the challenges that independent business owners face.

Franchise with Always Best Care

As you explore the landscape of home healthcare franchises, Always Best Care stands out as a premier investment choice. We equip our franchisees with comprehensive training, marketing strategies, and operational support that outshine the competition. Plus, we have many home care franchise territories available for investment.

Always Best Care franchise locations offer a multitude of amenities including in-home care, skilled home healthcare, specialized care, respite care, and senior living referral services. Providing a range of services allows our franchisees to fully capitalize on their investment.

To own an Always Best Care franchise, candidates should expect to spend between $81,025 and $145,900 – this includes our initial franchise fee of $49,900.

To start a home health agency with Always Best Care, request information today, and one of our franchise development representatives will contact you soon.