How to Start a Home Health Care Business

Home health care is an extremely fast growing industry due to longer life expectancy. This means there's a large population in need of home health care. In addition there are people recovering from surgery or illness who need home care. A health care attendant will tend to the personal needs of the patient, such as bathing, feeding and dressing them. The health care attendant may do some light cleaning and simple meal preparation as well. The home health care attendant doesn't necessarily have to be a registered nurse, but it definitely helps to have taken some nursing courses [source: BLS]. Let's find out what you have to do to start a home health care business.

  1. Register your business Set up your business: register the name, file for a tax identification number, open a bank account etc.
  2. Find the right area You want to start your business in an area that has a large population of senior citizens. Check areas that have adult day care and retirement centers. If you want hard statistical facts, check the local census.
  3. Obtain a license You will need licensing and certification to operate a home health care business. The requirements vary from state to state, so check the local requirements.
  4. Hire employees Probably the most important task you will face is hiring the right people to be the home attendants. Make sure your employees are honest, trustworthy and polite. You must perform a background check on each employee. Check criminal records, verify their employment history and ask for references. Your employees will make or break your business.
  5. Apply for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement In order to be eligible for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, you will have to obtain additional certification and you will have to be bonded. The Medicare agency will inspect your agency to make sure you and your employees are complying with health and safety regulations.
  6. Apply for private insurance reimbursement Many people have private insurance that covers home health care. Apply to various insurance companies to have them cover the care you provide [source: North Carolina Health].

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