Home health care is a growing industry, with excellent employment potential in Pennsylvania. It’s also an easy way to enter the healthcare field and start learning on the job while pursuing formal education. It can also be incredibly rewarding, helping patients live comfortably and safely in their own homes.
As the number of seniors in need of home care in Pennsylvania and around the country continues to climb, now may be the perfect time to take advantage of this opportunity. Starting your own home care organization to meet Pennsylvania’s high need for in-home care could be a great business opportunity.
Below is an overview of the process for getting a home care license in the Keystone State, as well as some basics for starting your own home health care business.
How to Obtain a Pennsylvania Home Care License
In order to operate a Home Care agency in Pennsylvania, you must first apply for and obtain a Pennsylvania home care license. As part of the licensing procedure and before you can open your own home care service, the state will come to your site to conduct a home care license inspection.
To begin, it’s critical to understand the distinctions between beginning a non-medical home care business in Pennsylvania and launching a skilled medical home care business:
- As the name implies, Qualified Medical Home Service Agencies require a physician’s order, and the care is provided by qualified, skilled nurses.
- Non-medical home care agencies in Pennsylvania provide companion and personal care in addition to medical care. Non-medical home care in Pennsylvania mostly assists with daily living activities, meal preparation, housekeeping, and transportation. Such home care organizations are frequently required for people to remain safe and content in their homes.
It is not necessary to have formal medical training or a clinical basis to get a home care license in Pennsylvania and establish a home care business. Many medical professionals establish their own home care businesses, but it is not necessary to have a medical background to earn a home care license and begin a satisfying career in home care.
However, to start a skilled home health care business in Pennsylvania, you must meet a number of standards. In Pennsylvania, starting a Skilled Home Health Business is tough due to the need for enrollment and licensing to operate the Skilled Home Health Business. The company owner must devise a strategy for the agency’s services to be provided to patients in need or the elderly in the community.
Requirements for Starting a Skilled Home Health Care Business
A Skilled Home Health Care Business must be registered as a legal, operational entity in Pennsylvania to function legally. The first step is to form a Pennsylvania corporation for the Skilled Home Health Care Business.
To start a Skilled or Home Health Care Business in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to apply for a Tax ID, EIN, NPI number, and other permits. A state tax permit is also required by the business owner, which you will receive from the secretary of state’s office after registration. Should the firm require extra support, the state tax permit covers income taxes and employment taxes.
You must also be Medicare-certified to be able to charge the program for the services that your organization will be delivering.
If your organization will be offering glucose monitoring services, you will need to secure a CLIA Waiver. To manage bio-hazardous waste products, you may need to have a contract.
Drafting Policies and Procedures for your Business
When implementing policies and procedures for your business, ensure that they are professionally developed and incorporate all of Pennsylvania’s State and Federal laws. The policies and practices of a skilled home health care business must comply with Medicare’s terms of participation and Accrediting Body criteria.
New patient admission packages, personal files, forms, in-service education plans, nursing procedures, and committee minutes are all essential operational resources.
Protecting your Home Health Care Business
Running a home health care business is hard work and not without risk. Working closely with patients and their families opens you up to certain liabilities that could translate into expensive lawsuits. Business insurance can help you manage the financial fallout should this happen.
Home health care businesses may need common forms of insurance coverage, such as General Liability and Professional liability insurance, to protect themselves and their employees. You may also consider other types of protection, including business interruption or equipment failure coverage, to further safeguard your business finances from large, unexpected expenses.
Want to learn more about business insurance for home health care agencies in Pennsylvania? Read more and start comparing quotes today.
