How to Start a Home Healthcare Agency in Pennsylvania

/ BLOG

How to Start a Home Healthcare Agency in Pennsylvania

Feb 11, 2022 · 5 minutes to read

A nurse holing hands with a senior woman.

The need for home healthcare workers is on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for home health and personal care aides is projected to increase by 33% between 2020 and 2030. That’s much faster than the average compared to other professions, creating opportunities for home healthcare agencies.

Home healthcare in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania’s other fine cities and towns is likely to follow this trend. As the state’s population continues to age, now could be the perfect time to start your own home healthcare agency. Here’s a quick guide to help you begin the process.

Starting a Home Healthcare Agency

A home healthcare agency provides skilled nursing services to patients in their own homes. These services are supervised by a physician or registered nurse, as well as physical or speech therapists (if needed). The home health aides you hire will help patients with everyday personal care and hygiene, help them safely move around, monitor basic medical signs and symptoms, and perform first aid.

To start a home healthcare agency, you will need to meet general business and home health aide (HHA) requirements in Pennsylvania.**

General business setup

All Pennsylvania businesses must register their name and business structure with the PA Department of State. You will also need a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) to file taxes and must also register for state tax and employer accounts. These applications can be filed online.

Home healthcare licensing

Pennsylvania home healthcare agencies must register with the Department of Health. This extensive application covers details about how you will run your business, such as your in-house training program and how you will assess if an employee is able to property care for patients.

You will also need to provide the Department of Health with the following for all employees:

  • Criminal record background checks
  • Child abuse clearances (if your employees will be working with children)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) health screenings
  • Proof of competency – Either passing your agency’s competency test, completing an approved home healthcare training program, or received their nurse’s aide certification

Employee information should be reviewed annually or more frequently to ensure that your home health aides and other staff who work directly with patients continue to meet the state’s requirements.

As a home healthcare agency, you should also consider getting Medicare/Medicaid certification. This allows you to take on patients who are enrolled in these programs and receive reimbursement for the services your agency provides to them.

Protect your business

As you begin to build your business, you might think about how to protect it. Creating risk management procedures and providing regular training to your staff could help prevent accidents and mistakes that can harm your patients, employees, and business.

Insurance for a home care agency in Pennsylvania can also help protect your business. There are many types of insurance policies that can shield your business against costly claims and lawsuits related to your work in the healthcare industry. Certain policies may even be required by law or by those you work with.

There are many types of home health aide liability insurance in Pennsylvania that agencies often consider. These may include:

  • General Liability – This coverage may be required in your area, by your commercial landlord, or by clients you work with. It protects you against third-party claims of bodily injury and property damage.
  • Professional Liability – These policies may be required for home healthcare agencies in your area. It protects you against claims of negligence, misrepresentation, or mistake.
  • Cyber Liability – This policy may be advisable if you are storing patient data on hard drives or the cloud. It protects you against malicious software attacks, data breaches, viruses, and phishing.
  • Workers’ Compensation – This form of coverage is required by law in Pennsylvania. It protects your business against employee injury and serious illness claims.

Home health care insurance in Pennsylvania, such as the policies described above and others, can help shield your business finances against claims and lawsuits that could financially devastate your agency. Insurance coverage can help remove the burden of legal fees and compensation payments from your shoulders, helping you stay in business and protecting your professional reputation.

Protect your agency with BizInsure

There is a lot of work that goes into starting a home health agency in Pennsylvania. But finding insurance to meet your agency’s needs can be one of the easiest items on your to-do list!

BizInsure works with home health agencies across the country, helping them protect their business with insurance policies designed just for them. You can quickly and easily compare quotes from top-rated insurers, choose the best options for your agency, and buy online—all in as little as 10 minutes! You’ll even receive your proof of insurance by email instantly, so you can get on with setting up your home health agency.

Find insurance for your home care agency in Pennsylvania today!

** This information is a general guide only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Always check with your local licensing board when getting or renewing your home healthcare agency license to ensure you are meeting their current licensing requirements.

Get Free Online Quotes and get coverage instantly

The coverage you need for your business.

Business insurance is divided into different policies. We offer 4 types so it's easy to design the coverage that fits your business.

Professional Liability Insurance

Get a quote

General Liability Insurance

Get a quote

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Get a quote

Workers Compensation Insurance

Get a quote

Let's find

The coverage you need for your business

Professional Liability Insurance

Get a quote

General Liability Insurance

Get a quote

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Get a quote

Workers Compensation Insurance

Get a quote

bizinsurance makes purchasing Business Insurance...SIMPLE!
Andrea W.
1701380391
Great quality of Service ,faster and convenience way to pay at most. Thank you for your Service to my Healthcare Facility .
Quick and easy!!!!
Terry
1701319042
Great service! Easy process and very informative representative. Andrea was great and very patience with our process. I would recommend using them!!
Terrance R.
1700848536
Always and easy process. Thanks!
Gerald S.
1700244544
Renewal was quick and easy online
Angelita K.
1699752900
I had a great experience working with Andrea from BizInsure. She was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and responsive throughout the entire process. She guided me through the different options available and helped me find the perfect home care professional liability insurance policy that suited my needs. Her professionalism and expertise made the entire experience smooth and hassle-free. I highly recommend working with Andrea and BizInsure for all your insurance needs.
Juliette S.
1699032636
Easy to submit an application and to get quotes
Simone S.
1698775217
I had the most pleasant prompt and professional experience of my life with Bizinsure. Everything was completed in record time, at an unbelievable cost…and my certificate of Insurance was promptly emailed to me. Most of all it was effective immediately. No hassle no back & forth, just great service highly recommend to all small businesses.
Marcia S.
1698407456
Excellent
advanced U.
1697824466
Great service. Very professional and cordial. Thanks
Jeremiah U.
1697064641
BizInure has been a great company for our insurance needs. I wish customers services was 24/7, that would make it a five stars
Novilette L. J.
1696828014
Easy to navigate what you need. Always notify ahead of renewal!
Athena T.
1696646371
This is the best company I have ever worked with. They are professional and get you exactly what you need. I highly recommend them!
Jim P.
1696451803
this is really easy
Riaz R.
1696428004
Andrea was very useful and professional. I will be recommending Biznsure to my friends that need business insurance. Keep up the good work. I wish the agency also offers auto insurance and whenever you do I will be one of the first to sign up as sign of my appreciation.Mike Okonkwo.
Mike O
1696282284
Kalab was excellent. Great, great Agent. Every step was organized and well planned. I WILL recommend your firm to anyone. Thank you...
Easy to renew Policy
Plain S.
1695644756
Great total experience. The agent was professional, knowledgeable,and a pleasure to work with. The fastest business insurance purchase I've ever experience. I highly recommend Bizinsure.
Tony W.
1695492357
Communication was excellent and the process was easy.
Jessie R.
1695153508
I have been using Bizinsure for several years and find the ease of renewing as well as generating additional insured certificates to be easy and useful, especially as a sole prop. thank you
Michelle C.
1695060008
Kaleb tailored the right coverage to our business. Customer service was good and gave great understanding of coverage. Thank you from Goleda's Gentle Homecare LLC
Aneesah M.
1695056651
A GOOD COMPANY FOR HEALTH CARE INC
Supreme A.
1694871640
Easiest & fastest online quote and purchasing experience out there. Inside of 10 minutes I had a quote, payment draft, and policy in force... and at the most competitive GL rates I found.
Rusty H.
1694699044
very quick and prompt service.
Sally Jo W.
1694180429
caleb was great in helping me navigate thecorrect liabilty insurance for my company
Lindsay Erin P.
1694135867
Friendly fast service I recommend you to all vendors
Terry R.
1694133043
Great
Kemi S.
1694119021
Great Customer service and easy renewal process!!!! I would refer this company to anyone.
Chris H.
1694038325
Great company easy to work with, Andrew was very helpful,you can call him any time he is ready to listen and help
Olu A.
1693959486
Good customer service indeed
BASSI T.
1693944217
js_loader
Google Rating
4.6
Based on 214 reviews
×
js_loader