Hospice Agency Startup

Published

After working about 9 years as Hospice case manager, i have decided to open a hospice agency in southern California. I have done a lot of research and can find out the regulation that states how much money you should have to start a hospice. Both me and my wife are RNS and i have a cousin who is a social worker willing to help me and also a friend who is a chaplain. Does any one know for sure how much you need to open such an agency? If i am the licensee for the agency can i also see pts in the field when the surveyors can to the survey agency? I will be using chap accreditation for a deemed status.

I am also willing to pay a consultant to walk me through the process in case you know one. Please respond to my questions if you have any input

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

My only input is hospice agencies in this area grow like flipping dandelions.The start ups don't stand a chance against the big boys who have the name recognition and good reputation in this area.The big boys are also affiliated with the local hospitals.The liaisons are whores,they will do anything to get a contract in out LTC facility.I would look long and hard at the market in your area before making a move.Working for yourself is an attractive idea but a hospice start up may be the fast trip to ruination.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ktwlpn,

Thanks for your input. what part of the country are you in? This is what i thought 5 years ago..... However cancer rates are at all time high do not see that slowing down due to the bad eating habits, lifestyles and stress that people have in the USA. In the hospital based agency i work for, we get 8-10 referrals a day and they have to outsource half of them due to staffing and also share the love or wealth if you may call it. Are you working for hospice currently? Also for me i only need 20-30 patients so that i cam really do a very good job. I don't need the millions people are after.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SDU/MS/Tele Float.

Hi Kijana! Im in the process of starting a hospice company too with some help from my co-worker who is a Hospice consultant. We have our hospice se up in LA already so were just waiting for JAHCO for licensing. From my experience its going to be atleast 2 years before you can recoup your investments. Anyway I try not to pay too much attention to people who tell me its risky. Its true that everything has its risks but Id rather take the risk of starting something that might work than be stuck being an employee forever and regret not doing anything about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi PadmeRN,

Thanks for responding and i say amen to your thoughts. I live near San bernadino which is about half hour drive to LA. I would love to pay your friend and speak to him or her over the phone for a couple questions i have. Is your agency already DHS licenced by LA county and did that take long? where did you buy the hospice manuals to start agency?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

My husband has been a part of about six different hospice startups in the past four years. None of them are still around. I do wish you the best of luck, but in my experience, starting a hospice nowadays and having it become successful is akin to winning the lottery.

P.S. The ones that fail do so because they're owned/managed by people in healthcare backgrounds. It needs to be managed by someone with a business background, or it will likely be doomed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi klone, MSN, RN, Thank you very much for responding. That is very interesting observation from the startups your hubby was involved into. May i ask what area where the hospice agencies? Why do you think they failed? In my opinion, if one can figure out a steady source of finding referrals, you should be half way there unless of course you are not business savvy. I know other agencies that will admit anything, even a dog, to hospice knowing very well that they are not appropriate and they do get shut down by medicare

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

I'm in Pennsylvania.The big boys are locked in to all of our local hospitals in this area and nursing homes,that's their bread and butter.The start ups and companies looking to expand into this market give up pretty quickly.They can only throw so much of their resources into any one area.What happens is their territories are so large the staff are spending hours on the road.Ask yourself this question-would you prefer a hospice that can get to you quickly in a crisis or one that will take 6hours to respond?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Hi klone, MSN, RN, Thank you very much for responding. That is very interesting observation from the startups your hubby was involved into. May i ask what area where the hospice agencies? Why do you think they failed?

We are in Denver. I think they failed because in Colorado there is no regulation on how many hospices there are (as opposed to a "certificate of need" state) so everyone and their uncle starts up a hospice. With one on every street corner, it's impossible to build up a big enough census to be viable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion