How to Start a Home Health Agency in Atlanta, Georgia

Home health agencies offer valuable services that substitute hospital care for many individuals. Your target market includes patients who prefer a home setting over a hospital or an older generation that needs non-emergency care at home. With the advancement of medical sciences, it is possible to take care of all patients at their own homes and even perform some tests whenever necessary. To start an agency in Atlanta, you will need to obtain a home care license from Georgia.

Things You'll Need

• Business plan
• Home care license
• Liability insurance

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Instructions

• 1

  Write a business plan to organize your business, plan for a long term and obtain funding. Include your business overview, market research of the business climate in the industry in Atlanta, details of your competitors, a marketing plan, background information about you and your staff, financial projections, funding sources and contracts or agreements.

• 2

  Create a business structure and a domain name. Check whether the name is unique and appealing to the older generation. Download the forms from the Georgia Secretary of State website at sos.ga.gov, fill them and submit. Register your business name with your county clerk's office of Superior Court in Atlanta.

• 3

  Apply and obtain your federal employer identification number or FEIN. This is mandatory since you will have employees. Submit the form SS-4 at IRS.gov. You can also call the IRS at 800-829-4933 and obtain your FEIN through the phone.

• 4

  Register for state income tax withholding by visiting the Georgia Department of Revenue website at dor.ga.gov. There will be minimal fees for this tax registration.

• 5

  Obtain the home care license from the Georgia Department of Human Resources at dhr.georgia.gov. Obtain a license for companion care as well as personal care in Georgia. You must be a registered nurse or licensed nurse practitioner to start an agency. Meet with clients and develop a business-care plan including incontinence and diaper changes. This may cost you around $500 (as of September 2010). You will need to attend a mandatory four-hour licensing class.

• 6

  Obtain a business license to start business in Atlanta. Choose a location in a residential area, so that you get noticed by your target market. Get your location approved from the Zoning Enforcement Division. The fee is $75 or more (as of September 2010) depending on your specific location .

• 7

  Hire only licensed staff. Check their backgrounds and ensure that they possess a valid license to practice. Obtain worker's compensation insurance by checking the Georgia State Board of Worker's Compensation website at sbwc.georgia.gov.

• 8

  Complete a DOL-1A form from the Georgia Department of Labor to account for unemployment compensation.

• 9

  Promote your website by placing a billboard near your location and meet older people in person at lectures or events to inquire if they need home health services.