How to Open a Rehab Center

Opening up a rehab center is a lofty and admirable goal. People with a variety of conditions, including a stroke, spinal cord injury and excessive burns require rehabilitation before they are able to return home. Obtaining funding, gaining approval from the state health department, undergoing construction and hiring staff are all important and challenging aspects of opening a rehab center.

Instructions

• 1

  Develop a business model for the rehab center. Though the primary goal of the rehab center is to help patients to recover from their injures and learn to be independent, it is important to keep in mind that the center is also a business.

• 2

  Obtain funding for the rehab center. Loans and grants are the most widely utilized sources of funding for rehab centers. A solid business plan is essential when applying for loans and grants because it shows that the center is likely to be successful.

• 3

  Acquire a facility to purchase or rent house the rehab center. If the perfect building cannot be located, work on plans for construction of a building. Regardless of how the building it acquired, it can take several weeks to months to acquire an appropriate building, so ensure that this step is started early in the process of opening the rehab center.

• 4

  Acquire approval from the state that the rehab center will operate in. Many states handle this sort of approval through their Department of Health, though this can vary by state. A solid business plan is essential for the success of this step.

• 5

  Contract the services of the rehab center with as many health insurance companies as possible. Many people do not have the funds available to pay out-of-pocket for rehabilitative service and rely on their heavily on the funding that their insurance provides.

• 6

  Hire staff for the rehab center. Administrators, nurses, doctors, physical therapists and occupational therapists are essential to the success of the rehab center.

• 7

  Advertise the rehab facility. Hospitals should be notified that you have opened your doors and are ready to take patients. Additionally, advertising on Internet and on community bulletins can be useful. Make sure all advertisements include the type of facility, cost of treatment, insurance carriers accepted, condition treated and contact information.