The Business of Senior Care

First off, congrats to you! Providing care to our seniors is critical and necessary. I applaud you for joining the cause and leading the way with your own company.

Not only is it fulfilling, but there is so much need for home care across the country! 

One of the first steps in opening a home care company is obtaining a license to operate a home care company. A state license is required, in addition to any Medicare or Medicaid certification.

There are 3 types of home care agencies in Texas that require a license:

Home Health - skilled care including nursing and therapy services

Personal Assistance Services - companionship and personal care typically not requiring direct care staff to have a license

Hospice - end-of-life skilled care which focuses on the needs of a terminally ill patient's symptoms

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is in charge of approving home care licenses. Sometimes other departments are involved. 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Home Care License in Texas

Are you a home care owner or operator in Texas, or perhaps an enthusiast looking to enter the industry? Securing a state license for your home care agency is a crucial step towards providing excellent care and complying with regulations. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of obtaining a Personal Assistance Services (PAS) license in the state of Texas.

Choosing the Correct License Type:

1. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) administers various types of licenses. For home care agencies offering non-medical care services like companionship, homemaker, and personal care, the PAS agency license is the appropriate choice. Other options include home health, home health with home dialysis, or a hospice agency.

Selecting Your Governing Body:

2. To apply for a PAS license, you will need to identify two key individuals: the administrator and the alternate administrator. The administrator oversees all agency operations, while the alternate administrator can step in when the primary administrator is absent. Requirements for the administrator and alternate include specific qualifications such as healthcare experience, management background, or relevant educational degrees. Additionally, passing a background check is mandatory.

Completing the Application Process:

3. Texas utilizes an online portal called Tulip for submitting license applications. As part of the application process, you will need to determine whether your agency will operate from a commercial business space or from your home (provided you have a private office and separate caregiver space). You must also establish a legal business entity, such as an LLC, S Corp, or C Corp, and register your agency's name, address, phone number, and website. Additionally, you will need to complete computer-based training modules and an eight-hour administrator course from an approved provider.

Writing Policies and Procedures:

4. Your agency must develop policies and procedures that align with Texas regulations, particularly outlined in Chapter 558. These policies cover areas such as quality assurance, client records, employee records, client admissions and discharges, emergency preparedness, and more. It is crucial to incorporate both state and federal regulations into your policies, including the Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Human Resources Code, Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Rights Act, FMLA, and OSHA.

Onsite Survey:

5. While an onsite survey is not required for the initial license, you must provide services to at least one client before requesting a survey from the Health Department. This request is made through Form 220. During the survey, the Health Department evaluates your policies, client records, personnel records, and overall compliance. Successful completion of the survey, within six months of receiving your initial license, finalizes the full licensure process.

Obtaining a home care license in Texas involves several essential steps, from choosing the correct license type and selecting key personnel to completing the application process, developing comprehensive policies, and undergoing an onsite survey. Remember that maintaining compliance is an ongoing process, as the Health Department may conduct unannounced surveys periodically. If you require more detailed information or personalized assistance, feel free to reach out to us. Good luck on your journey to providing exceptional home care services in the state of Texas!

I'm hopeful that this information reduced some of the mystery around obtaining a home care license. 

Do you still have questions? 

Looking for a partner to help guide you?

I have helped HUNDREDS of home care agencies navigate the process to obtain a licensure. 

I have a 100% success rate in getting a license and saved countless hours, dollars and frustration for home care agencies in the process. 

Contact me at 303.578.8262 or [email protected]. 

I can help to make sure you pursue the path to license as quickly and accurately as possible and to obtain your license in the least amount of time as possible.