Entry into the the Home Health Agency market requires the negotiation of a myriad of regulatory standards.
Starting a home health care agency in Houston, Texas requires adherence to the standards set by the state's Department of Aging and Disability Services Office. Your business must not only comply with the DADS application procedure, but it must also meet the accepted national requirements regarding patient privacy, infection control and medical record-keeping. At the outset, your business start-up should also include the determination of expenditures, your initial inventory requirements and the establishment of employee hiring procedures.
Instructions
1. Obtain Financing. Find sources of capital for inventory purchases, licensing, travel, employee and contractor salary, rent and any construction costs. Many small businesses obtain private financing by loans obtained from bank or financial institutions. You may also pursue funding by way of grants and small business development programs offered within the state of Texas. You can get information about grant programs by contacting the University of Houston's Small Business Development Center. Your employer allocated retirement savings may also be used to offset business start-up costs. You can also seek out additional private funds through private investors.
2. Select a business name. You must file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Harris County Clerk's office. If you decide to form a corporation, a limited liability company, or a partnership you must file an assumed name certificate with the Secretary of State's office in addition to filing locally. A printable version of the assumed name certificate is available online through the Texas Secretary of State's Office. You must also file the proper forms to establish your legal business entity. You may choose to form a sole proprietorship, a corporation or a partnership at the outset of your business. The applicable forms and fees required may be found online at the Department of Aging and Disabilities website.
3. Select a location for your business. Choose a location to house your home health agency. You may wish to consider basic business location factors such as accessibility for clients and proximity to major highways and roads. You must also consider home health agency-related factors such as wheelchair and emergency vehicle access, proximity to major health centers, proximity to private pharmaceutical outlets, and proximity to private retirement communities. You can call the Harris County Clerk's office at (713) 755-6411 to research local zoning statutes that may apply to your business.
4. Meet Texas state requirements. The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has established the licensing requirements for all home health agencies that wish to operate in the state. To meet requirements a representative of your agency must complete a 30-minute online pre-survey training class. You must also complete and file the HCSSA license application in addition to payment of the associated fees. Your application must then be approved by DADS before your agency can begin operation. You must also register with medicare to service any clients who are eligible to receive this benefit. To register as a medicare provider you must complete the CMS 855A Home Health Enrollment Application, CMS 1651 Health Insurance Benefit Agreemen, and CMS 417 Hospice Request for Certification in the Medicare Program. You must also review the Medicare Civil Rights packet and policies.
5. Purchase Inventory. You must purchase or lease the inventory that will constitute the infrastructure of your business. Computer equipment, data-management software, medical service equipment, furniture, medical transportation equipment, medical devices and office stationery are some of the inventory requirements associated with this business. You must track your purchases and develop a maintenance program to inspect and repair critical devices. You must also establish accounts with medical suppliers and distributors to replenish your perishable items.
6. Hire Staff. You must hire or contract medical professionals to manage and maintain specific daily tasks within your organization. You may look to nursing agencies and medical employment companies to provide qualified applicants. You may utilize online classified advertising such as Craigslist in conjunction with online employment organizations. You must develop your agency's application procedures and understand the employee interviewing and hiring process. You must also take into consideration in-house employee training and continuing education. In addition, you must consider state-mandated insurance and workman's compensation requirements for any full-time employees.
7. Develop a compliance program. You must meet national standards regarding the safeguard of patient privacy, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), state-mandated infection control guidelines, and medical recording and documentation requirements. Your company may be subject to periodic inspection and review by state and federal medical evaluation bodies to determine adherence to accepted standards for health-care providers.
8. Promote your business. To draw customers you may promote your business to former employers and satellite organizations. You can send professional correspondence via postal mail or though use of a company website. You may also look to attend industry events such as seminars and workshops for networking opportunities. You can post fliers, hand out business cards and advertise via online classifieds websites such as Craigslist. You may also look to partner with established nursing homes and retirement communities to develop clientele.
Tags: must also, your business, Department Aging, home health, your agency, Aging Disability, Aging Disability Services
