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Before you can get your homecare license in Pennsylvania, you will need to choose a name for your homecare business.
Choose a name for your homecare business that makes sense. A common issue with starting a homecare business and getting it licensed is the choice in name. If you use words that relate to medical terminology it can hurt your ability to market and give consumers the wrong opinion about what services, your homecare business is offering and can offer. Transparency is the best marketing strategy for your homecare business. Be clear and concise on what you are trying to convey to the consumer (i.e. Using words like Health or Medical or services such as nursing or therapies). This can also cause issues with licensing your homecare business further down the line and depicts that your business is not what it seems (HomeCare and Home Health Care are not the same – If you would like to learn more about starting a home health care business or would like to know the difference between the two, call us today for more information).
Make it unique! The constantly growing homecare market is saturated with common names that use words such as: always, best, caring, first, and hands (to name a few). There are other barriers that can also prevent you from registering your name. As with many great ideas, there is a chance someone thought of it first. Names that are matching other business names cannot be registered and names that are too alike can also be rejected. Researching to see if the name is available is always required and this is done with a search on the Pennsylvania Secretary of State website.
Deciding on how you want your homecare business to be taxed (Inc vs LLC).
Deciding the best option for your homecare business taxation is a huge decision. People often work with consulting firms, attorneys, or accountants to best suit the needs of the homecare business. The way you register your homecare business will also determine filing fees and other annual costs that will be required to make sure your homecare business stays in good standing.
Create a business plan and determine the location of your homecare business in Pennsylvania.
Create a brightly lit path that can help you pave the way to success by knowing the ins and outs of what to expect when your dream becomes your reality. Otherwise, it may turn into a nightmare. Researching the market and determining that there is a need for your type of homecare business can seem overwhelming. That’s when utilizing a homecare business consultant might become a good idea.
There are many barriers to entry. The owners of the agency must be able to pass a background check. There are fees associated with the formation of the Agency and licensing. Researching the census and local competition. Determining your pay sources is important as well as there are several programs such as PROMISe [Medicaid] Programs available for Non-Medical agencies in Pennsylvania, determining referral sources, etc. Furthermore, your homecare business must have enough capital to get the business started and run it for at least 6 months.
Creating your homecare business in Pennsylvania.
Secretary of State Formation, Statement of Information, Employer Identification Number, State Tax ID, and a National Provider Identification number will be needed to get your homecare business started. You will need a tangible address to start the agency (P.O. Boxes are not acceptable). This is where a little help from a homecare business consultant will come in handy. We do all of this for you.
Insuring your homecare business.
The State of Pennsylvania requires the following for homecare licensure in Pennsylvania:
The State of Pennsylvania requires that the business be covered by both General/Professional liability and Workman’s Compensation especially if the Agency is going to participate in any state programs for reimbursement.
Obtain a homecare license from Pennsylvania Department of Health.
To start your homecare business, you will need to apply for your homecare license in Pennsylvania. A homecare license application with homecare policies and procedures will need to be compiled and sent to the State of Pennsylvania with a fee of $100. Initial Licensure can take up to 6 months due to recent changes that took place at the DPH.
Researching the Pennsylvania regulations is a must when starting this process of applying for your homecare license in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania also requires an Administrator and Alternately qualified individual to run the home care business. This person should have a GED and pass a background check. The Home Care License will have to be renewed annually and a state survey of the agency will usually take place unless the agency doesn’t have any consumers by the renewal period. This is not an easy task, professional assistance will most likely be required to navigate the process and keep the business running smoothly. Our homecare license and homecare business startup consultants can help. Call us today.
Obtain local business licensure and prepare to open your homecare business.
The county or township may have specific requirements that need to be met with an application for a local license to conduct business in that area. Having an optimal location and the proper office set is important. Make sure all the proper licenses are in a conspicuous area.