North America has an increasingly growing demand for home health care agencies. According to the Census of the United States, for the first time in history, older adults are projected to outnumber children by 2034.
Now is the best time to invest in future businesses geared towards the health care of the elderly population.
This article covers the following:
- What is a home health care business?
- Is there a demand for home health care businesses in Massachusetts?
- Are home health care businesses profitable in Massachusetts?
- What training do I need to start a home health care business in Massachusetts?
- Licensing process for home health care agencies in Massachusetts.
- How to start a home health care business in Massachusetts?
What Is a Home Health Care Business?
A home health care business is an entity that provides a wide range of health care services facilitated in an individual’s home. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and more effective than health care administered at a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Usually, people living with illnesses or injuries require home health care.
A home health care agency is a type of home health business that employs or contracts licensed medical professionals, such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and health care aides, to provide care to clients in their homes.
Depending on the type of agency, caregivers or other professionals can offer non-medical or medical health care services such as companionship, help with daily activities, personal care, skilled nursing, and other therapeutic services.
For more information on home health care agencies, read “What is a Home Health Agency.”
Is There a Demand for Home Health Agencies in Massachusetts?
According to the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Data Report, “one out of every five people in the state will be an older adult by 2030.” This means there will be a great demand for services tailored toward health and aging in the state.
Many aging adults would rather age at home than go to an assisted living facility. There is an increasing shortage of beds in nursing homes due to lacking working conditions, which leaves many in need of care. Not only that, many people want to stay in their homes for as long as possible.
Statistics have shown over and over that the growing demand for home healthcare will only increase drastically across the country. This poses a substantial opportunity for home health care businesses in this recession-resilient industry in Massachusetts to grow successfully as the demand continues to rise.
There is unlimited growth potential if you start your own business, and there is no better time to start a home health care agency in Massachusetts than presently.
Is a Home Health Care Business in Massachusetts Profitable?
If you start a home health care business in Massachusetts, you are dedicated, hardworking, and put in the hours – you will most likely be profitable.
A survey revealed that the top home care franchises earn over $100,000 annually. According to Franchise Business Review, almost 90% of home care franchise owners say they enjoy their business operations.
There is no better time to start a home health care agency in Massachusetts through franchising with Nurse Next Door. Franchising may be the best way to go, as there are well-established training frameworks, ownership structures, and a proven successful business model. Read more about the benefits of franchising with Nurse Next Door.
What Training Do I Need to Start?
To start a Massachusetts home care business, you do not need any specific training or home care certificate to run a home health care business or even obtain a home care license in Massachusetts. However, it doesn’t hurt to have some knowledge of the subject or a business background.
Home health care business owners must understand the various policies and procedures associated with operating a home care business in Massachusetts.
If franchising with Nurse Next Door is on your radar, our Franchising team can assist you with Massachusetts’s home health care policies, liabilities, and insurance requirements.
Do I Need a Home Health Care License in Massachusetts?
Every state has different licensing regulations. In Massachusetts, obtaining a home health care license (Home Health Agency Medicare Certification) is required if you plan to own and operate a medical health care agency. Visit the official Massachusetts federal government website to learn about the application process.
If you provide non-medical care services, such as personal care, companionship, or assistance with daily living, you do not need a home care license in Massachusetts.
If you plan to franchise with Nurse Next Door, we recommend acquiring a health care license to ensure you can offer potential clients all types of home care and nursing services. Our franchising team can help you through obtaining a license to get started.
Whether you plan to provide medical or non-medical health care, it is recommended to get accredited, though it is not a requirement. It is highly encouraged to apply for recognition from established Massachusetts organizations in healthcare. Getting accredited can be highly rewarding and boost your company’s reputation. Some examples of established healthcare bodies are the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP).
For more information on licensing, home care alliance accreditation, or Massachusetts resources, visit the public health Massachusetts association.
How to Start a Home Health Care Business in Massachusetts?
If you’d like to be a business owner and operate a successful home care business in Massachusetts, conduct plenty of research to ensure you understand all aspects of starting a home health care agency.
- Start With A Business Plan
Start with a business plan to understand the ins and outs of starting a home health care agency. Create a detailed written document that includes the goals and objectives of your care business in Massachusetts. It should break down your operating costs and how you plan to profit. It should also showcase the health services you offer, a sales and marketing plan, the legal structure of your own home care business, including employees, a management structure, and a financial plan.
- Understand the Different Types of Home Health Care Businesses
There are two types of home healthcare businesses, including medical and non-medical home care businesses. There are benefits to each type, but you should understand the differences, liabilities, and policies of each.
Remember, a care license in Massachusetts differs for each of these types of business.
- Decide What Business Model You Would Like
There are different ways you can set up your care business in Massachusetts. Some opt to start their own home care agency from scratch. Some choose a proven successful business model by franchising with Nurse Next Door.
There are many benefits to franchising with Nurse Next Door, including:
- You gain access to an existing highly recognized brand from the very start.
- It has proven a successful business model.
- Ongoing staff and marketing training.
- It has tested systems and processes that can scale beyond its original business.
- Access to the Care Services Center: a resource for customer service staff who take customer inquiry calls and schedule appointments, and help find clients for you.
- Franchisors can test new products and services and roll them out risk-free.
Read more about the benefits of franchising here.
- Obtaining a Lisense
Once you’ve accomplished all preliminary steps and are ready with the startup process, you will proceed with the proper licensing to operate successfully in Massachusetts. Ensure you are complying with the home care license requirements in the state of Massachusetts department of health.
Thinking of starting your own business? Partner with an award-winning Franchise System like Nurse Next Door. You will benefit from low franchise fees and can start your business with as little as $20,000.
It’s never too late to start a home care agency in Massachusetts. Get started with our free discovery process and resources to help you get started!
