Starting a home health care agency

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Hi. I want to start a local / regional home care agency that employs, RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and NAs. I have owned a business before (not nursing or medical related), so I know about operating a business and what licenses and permits are needed (unfortunately, in this area I have to apply for a Proof of Need permit). I have worked in various nursing areas (hospitals, military, state run facilies, nursing homes, organizations for DD clients). My ex-wife and her mother are cnas and have worked for home health care agencies. We do not communicate, so I cannot ask her.

My questions are as follows:

What forms do I need to have completed by the nurses and aides on a daily or weekly basis (besides med forms, tprs, mileage and nursing reports)? Is there any I am missing from this standpoint?

Also, how do I go about getting the doctors orders (copy)? Do i send a signed affidavit (with the pts signature) to his/her office stating that we are currently providing nursing coverage or do I just obtain the information from the pt or his/her family?

I appreciate any help.

Thanks!

If by chance you have any old or current blank copies of forms I should use, can you please send a private message. Thanks!

Chris

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Hi. I want to start a local / regional home care agency that employs, RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and NAs. I have owned a business before (not nursing or medical related), so I know about operating a business and what licenses and permits are needed (unfortunately, in this area I have to apply for a Proof of Need permit). I have worked in various nursing areas (hospitals, military, state run facilies, nursing homes, organizations for DD clients). My ex-wife and her mother are cnas and have worked for home health care agencies. We do not communicate, so I cannot ask her.

My questions are as follows:

What forms do I need to have completed by the nurses and aides on a daily or weekly basis (besides med forms, tprs, mileage and nursing reports)? Is there any I am missing from this standpoint?

Also, how do I go about getting the doctors orders (copy)? Do i send a signed affidavit (with the pts signature) to his/her office stating that we are currently providing nursing coverage or do I just obtain the information from the pt or his/her family?

I appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Chris

I did admissions and liason work for a home health agency for a number of years. The MD normally calls the agency with a referral including orders so that the admission process can begin.In the hospital the MD following the case will also write an order for home health for SN,PT etc. The liason nurse gathers info on pts. needs and may suggest to MD when further orders are needed prior to dc from hospital . The admit nurse(RN) will go to the home and assess pts. physical/psychosocial status and determine plan of treatment which may differ from original MD request-depending on pts. needs. The nurse then contacts MD with request for orders that address these needs. The assessment /analysis forms along with med sheets,oasis forms are completed.There must also be nursing careplans initiated that address the pts. disease process etc. The dx's are coded using ICD & V codes. Referrals to aother disciplines are also made ie:PT,MSW etc. The nurse needs ask about advance directives and DNR status,and provide info to assist pt. Tx sheets for wound care etc. are also started along with the wound care or other skilled need performed. This is just a portion of the process. I hope this helps!

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/MICU/SICU/CTICU.

Are you wanting to open an agency that is reimbursed by Medicare or strictly private pay?

Go to the Medicare website, http://www.cms.gov and look at the Home Health section. Also, if you look in the home health forum here you will find tons of information regarding home care guidelines and requirements.

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Thanks for the help. I appreciate it very much! :)

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Keep in mind many home health agencies folded over the medicare revisions. The mother of all forms is the oasis. Your would need a very experienced crew to start up with. You are taking on one huge endeavor....good luck to you !

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

Your right about the OASIS, PPS , HHRGs, LUPAs, OUTLIERS, CASEMIX and other things.

If you need help PM me about things.......alot to list here.

renerian

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Running a home health agency is a whole new game, differrent HH company for a year to learn the ropes then branch out on your own. OR hire a consultant and invest $$$.

Know that MC expects you to have 6 MONTHS working capital. Getting clients isn't easy these days unless in a suburban/rural area. Know who your competition is by checking out state website see which division licenses " certified home health agency". Might be a lot more agencies in your area that your not aware of.

READ the many posts in this forum.

Good Luck.

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Hi Renerian,

I am living in southern California and want to open a home health agency,

do you know of consultant with a small fee can help me with this process.

Do you have any info that i can start out on my own? I did some research

and have some ides but unsure about the audit.

Thanks,

Kimberly

Your right about the OASIS, PPS , HHRGs, LUPAs, OUTLIERS, CASEMIX and other things.

If you need help PM me about things.......alot to list here.

renerian

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Hi,

I live in Southern California and want to open a home health agency. I work

with one before and not sure about how to start one on my own. I did many

research and have some ideas and get all forms that i need for a day to day

business. I do know about the day to day operations but not clear about

how the audit process work and other initial paperwork.

Could you please share with me any of your valuable info.

Thank you very much,

Kimberly

Hi. I want to start a local / regional home care agency that employs, RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and NAs. I have owned a business before (not nursing or medical related), so I know about operating a business and what licenses and permits are needed (unfortunately, in this area I have to apply for a Proof of Need permit). I have worked in various nursing areas (hospitals, military, state run facilies, nursing homes, organizations for DD clients). My ex-wife and her mother are cnas and have worked for home health care agencies. We do not communicate, so I cannot ask her.

My questions are as follows:

What forms do I need to have completed by the nurses and aides on a daily or weekly basis (besides med forms, tprs, mileage and nursing reports)? Is there any I am missing from this standpoint?

Also, how do I go about getting the doctors orders (copy)? Do i send a signed affidavit (with the pts signature) to his/her office stating that we are currently providing nursing coverage or do I just obtain the information from the pt or his/her family?

I appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Chris

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Hi, I live in Texas and planning on starting a home health agency. Anyone have an idea about where to start, consultants with reasonable fees ? etc

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I am wanting to start my own HH agency and PRN staffing agency in Iowa but am at a loss as to how and what to bill for services, where to begin the insurance nightmare and how to compensate employees. I've never really been concerned with the compensation of care aspect before so now I am a little lost. Any ideas where to start?

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Hi I seen your comments about operating an independ. facility. I am also starting my own Private Home Health Agency, I have a question about insurance(s). Do you wait until recieving referrals before you even start communicating with insurnace companies e.g Medcaid and Mediciaid.

Again I am in the beginning stages I have rec'd my DUN# and my tax ID # now comes the endless papr work. Are there mandatory permits lease needed regardless of state residing in?

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