How to Start a Home Health Business in South Carolina

The demand for home health agencies has grown as the baby boomer generation has aged. You may decide to offer home health care services for patients such as the elderly or disabled, or perhaps you choose to only offer hospice services for the terminally ill. According to Medicare.gov, South Carolina has 81 Medicare-certified home health agencies. Decide whether your business will be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company. If your business is a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or limited liability partnership, register with the South Carolina Secretary of State. Contact the specific city and county about zoning restrictions.

Instructions

• 1

  The Medicare.gov website allows you to search for home health agencies by state, county and ZIP code. If the particular county or area you are considering is saturated with other agencies, consider a different area. For instance, Charleston County has 12 Medicare-certified home health agencies, but Marlboro County has only seven.

• 2

  Apply for a permit or license. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control lists regulations for healthcare facilities and providers. Those regulations include requirements for patient records, personnel, patient care, admissions, management and patient rights.You can find forms to apply for a license on the website as well. Get Medicare certification to run a home health care agency such as a hospice. Seek accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting body such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The South Carolina Department of Revenue requires most businesses to register with it as well. You can do this at www.sctax.org.

• 3

  Hire your staff, including nurses, doctors, social workers, clergymen and aides. Your staff should trained and, where required, have the appropriate license. Volunteers can help with office duties. Volunteers will also need training. Register with the South Carolina Employment Security Commission to report and pay unemployment insurance for your employees. You also may be required to register with the Workers' Compensation Commission.

• 4

  Outline costs, payment procedures, services, eligibility and more information in a brochure for potential patients.