Home_Health
Home Health Agency Licensing, Accreditation, Compliance
A skilled home health agency is a licensed organization that provides professional, doctor-ordered medical care to patients in their homes, Nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and more to provide services such as skilled nursing, IV Therapy, physical and other therapies, and wound care. Designed to help patients recover from illness, injury, or surgery, these agencies provide clinical services intended to avoid hospital readmission.
Home health care is critical for those unable to comfortably leave their homes for ongoing outpatient care. Home health agencies are also utilized by those who have been recently discharged from a long-term care facility or from a hospital after receiving acute care.
Offerings:
- Skilled Nursing: Wound care, IV therapy, medication administration, and monitoring of serious illnesses.
- Rehabilitative Therapies: Physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy to help patients regain movement or improve communication.
- Medical Social Services: Counseling and assistance in navigating the healthcare system or finding community resources.
- Home Health Aide Services: Assistance with “Activities of Daily Living” (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and grooming, but typically only when provided alongside skilled medical care.
Start Up
- State Registration
- Employer Identification Number
- National Provider Identification
- Website
- Your_Name@website.com
- Virtual Phone Number
- Virtual Fax Number
- 500 Business Cards
- 500 Brochures
- Application (AHCA)
Cost of all of the above is approximately $12,500.00*
*Paid over a five month period ($6500 deposit, $1000 per month for six months)
Other Services
- Customized Policy and Procedure Manual $2000
- Customized Forms $900
- Customized Folders $800
- Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) $800
- Plan of Corrections $700
- Mock Inspection $1750
- Insurance credentialing $Call
- Hourly Consultation available
Skilled home health agencies employ, train, and supervise licensed staff (RNs, CNAs) for comprehensive care, often covering Medicare-reimbursable skilled needs
. A nurse registry acts as a referral service, matching clients with independent contractors (caregivers) whom the client supervises directly.
Key Differences:
- Employment & Tax Liability: Home health agencies (HHA) are the employer, managing payroll, taxes, and worker’s compensation. With a registry, the client is generally responsible for payroll, taxes, and liability if a caregiver is injured.
- Supervision: HHAs provide on-going nursing supervision and care plan management. Registries provide a referral, leaving management to the family.
- Cost & Coverage: Registries often offer lower hourly rates than agencies due to reduced overhead. While agencies are better for Medicare reimbursement, many long-term care insurance policies cover both, according to CareGivers of America and Medicare.
- Caregiver Quality: Agencies typically provide extensive screening, training, and vetting. Registry contractors may have varied experience levels.
- Use Cases: Choose an agency for acute or complex care needing high oversight. Choose a registry for consistent, long-term personal care when you want more control over selection and lower costs
