How to Start a Home Health Care Business in Louisiana

The home health care industry focuses on providing quality care to its clients by hiring health care providers and functioning as a small business entity complied to follow certain guideline provided by each state. A home health care business is quite similar to any other business in that it needs licenses, employee handling, marketing, financial procedures and other areas related to starting a small business. Many nurses and health care professionals decide to start a health care business because of their prior experience in the field.

Things You'll Need

• Business plan
• Small business grant (optional)
• Licenses
• Business name registration
• Federal Employer Identification Number
• Policies and Procedures Manual

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Instructions

• 1

  Make a business plan that states step-by-step all of the requirements needed to start a health care business in Louisiana. Hire a professional business plan writer if you think you need assistance in writing a business plan. Take the business plan to a professional who will evaluate your plan to determine your opportunity for success in the field of health care.

• 2

  Apply for a government grant for your home health care business. Read the Louisiana Small Business Resource Guide. Go to the local state SBA office and obtain any information they have on starting a small business and how they will of assistance to you. The SBA (Small Business Administration) works with small firms to assist them in starting their own projects.

• 3

  Obtain the required licenses you will need to operate your home health care business in Louisiana. Like many other states, Louisiana requires licenses for operating in the health care industry and also for the purpose of participation in Medicaid and Medicare. You will need to contact the Division of Health Standards (DHS) within the Department of Health and Hospitals. The DHS Private Duty website suggests to call their office and request a licensing packet.

• 4

  Register your business name. If you are not buying an existing home health care company or franchise, you will need to register your new business with the government of Louisiana. You may find more information on business registration at www.sos.louisiana.gov. Also, you will need to file for taxes by visiting the Louisiana Department of Revenue online at www.revenue.louisiana.gov. In addition, obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is a requirement of all home care companies that will hire employees, by contacting the Internal Revenue Service. Research Louisiana regulations for Medicare and Medicaid.

• 5

  Implement a policies and procedures manual to assist you in developing your policies and procedures for your health care business. This manual will be provided by a franchiser or membership group if you join one. It will instruct you on how to properly manage the different aspects of your home health care business, and is typically required by state regulators and insurance companies.

• 6

  Set up the home health care office system as laid out in your business plan. This will cover numerous areas, such as bookkeeping, accounts, billing and record keeping. You will also need to hire your staff and employees, including secretaries, clerks, intake managers, accountants, a clinical director and a clinical manager.

• 7

  Hire quality caregivers. This is one of the most important aspects of your business. You should develop a special plan for hiring top-notch professionals and reviewing their performance. Devise employee management standards that offer incentives to high-ranking employees in your system so that they will perform quality work and remain with your home health care business.

• 8

  Market your home health care business by advertising using the Internet, direct marketing, fliers, brochures, and other avenues. Focus a portion of your advertising on others in the health care industry, including nursing homes and hospitals.