Home Care License in Connecticut

Choose a name for your home care business that makes sense. A common issue with starting a home care business and getting it licensed is the choice in name. If you use words that relate to medical terminology it can hurt your ability to market and give consumers the wrong opinion about what services, your home care business is offering and can offer. Transparency is the best marketing strategy for your home care business. Be clear and concise on what you are trying to convey to the consumer (i.e. Using words like Health or Medical or services such as nursing or therapies). This can also cause issues with licensing your home care business further down the line and depicts that your business is not what it seems (Home Care and Home Health Care are not the same – If you would like to learn more about starting a home health care business or would like to know the difference between the two, call us today for more information.)

Make it unique! The constantly growing home care market is saturated with common names that use words such as: always, best, caring, first, and hands (to name a few). There are other barriers that can also prevent you from registering your name.  As with many great ideas, there is a chance someone thought of it first. Names that are matching other business names cannot be registered and names that are too alike can also be rejected. Researching to see if the name is available is always required and this is done with a search on the Connecticut Secretary of State website.

Deciding the best option for your home care business taxation is a huge decision. People often work with consulting firms, attorneys, or accountants to best suit the needs of the home care business. The way you register your home care business will also determine filing fees and other annual costs that will be required to make sure your home care business stays in good standing.

Create a brightly lit path that can help you pave the way to success by knowing the ins and outs of what to expect when your dream becomes your reality. Otherwise, it may turn into a nightmare. Researching the market and determining that there is a need for your type of home care business can seem overwhelming. That’s when utilizing a home care business consultant might become a good idea.

There are many barriers to entry. The owners of the agency must be able to pass a background check.  There are fees associated with the formation of the Agency and licensing. Researching the census and local competition. Determining your pay sources is important as well as there are Medicaid Programs available for Non-Medical agencies in Connecticut after a year of service, determining referral sources, etc. Furthermore, your home care business must have enough capital to get the business started and run it for at least 6 months.

Secretary of State Formation, Statement of Information, Employer Identification Number, State Tax ID, and a National Provider Identification number will be needed to get your home care business started. You will need a tangible address to start the agency (P.O. Boxes are not acceptable). This is where a little help from a home care business consultant will come in handy.  We do all of this for you. 

The State of Connecticut requires the following for home care licensure in Connecticut:

The State of Connecticut requires that the business be covered by both General/Professional liability, Workman’s Compensation, and a fidelity bond especially if the Agency is going to participate in any state programs for reimbursement.

To start your home care business, you will need to apply for your home care license in Connecticut. There are two (2) different licenses for home care in Connecticut on being a companion-homemaker license and the other being a Homemaker-Home Health Aide Agency License.

Companion-Homemaker License:

This non-hands-on license will require an application with home care policies and procedures will need to be compiled and sent to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection with a fee of $375. Connecticut also requires an Administrator and Alternately qualified individual to run the home care business. This person should have a GED and pass a background check. Initial Licensure can take up to 4 months. 

Homemaker-Home Health Aide License: 

This hands-on license will require an application with home care policies and procedures will need to be compiled and sent to the Connecticut Department of Health with a fee of $300. A Nurse Supervisor is needed to oversee the Home Health Aides. Connecticut also requires an Administrator and Alternately qualified individual to run the home care business. Initial Licensure can take up to 9 months.

These requirements are very specific:

Admin Requirements: 19-13-D81. Personnel

• An agency administrator shall be a person with one of the following:

(1) A baccalaureate degree in nursing with an active license to practice in this state and at least two (2) years of full-time experience in a homemaker-home health aide agency or related health care facility/program which included care of the sick; or

(2) A baccalaureate degree in social work, home economics, administration, or related human services field with a concentration of study in health services administration, and at least two (2) years of full-time experience in a homemaker-home health aide agency or related health care facility/program which included care of the sick; or

(3) A baccalaureate degree in a related social service field, and at least three (3) years of full-time experience in a homemaker-home health aide agency or related community health program; or

(4) Current employment as the administrator of a homemaker-home health aide agency as of January 1, 1979. Effective January 1, 1982, no person shall be an administrator who does not satisfy the requirements of sub paragraphs (1) through (3) of this regulation.

Registered Nurse: 19-13-D81. Personnel

(b) An agency registered nurse supervisor shall be a person with an active license to practice nursing in this state and shall have one of the following:

(1) A baccalaureate degree in nursing and at least two (2) years of full-time clinical experience within the past five (5) years in a home health care agency or related health care facility program which included care of the sick; or

(2) An associate degree in nursing and at least three (3) years of full-time clinical experience in nursing within the past five (5) years, at least two (2) of which were in a home health care agency or related health care facility/program which included care of the sick; or

(3) A diploma in nursing and at least three (3) years of full-time clinical experience in nursing within the past five (5) years, at least two (2) of which were in a home health care agency or related health care facility/program which included care of the sick.

Researching the correct Connecticut regulations is a must when starting this process of applying for your home care license in Connecticut.

This is not an easy task, professional assistance will most likely be required to navigate the process and keep the business running smoothly. Our home care license and home care business startup consultants can help. Call us today. 

The county or township may have specific requirements that need to be met with an application for a local license to conduct business in that area. Having an optimal location and the proper office set is important. Make sure all the proper licenses are in a conspicuous area.

Your home care business will need staff to open its doors and in the case of Connecticut the key staff/managers need to be identified in the initial application process. Hiring the staff and making sure they get paid is an important part of starting your home care business. This process can be done by the home care business owners or a professional equipped to handle these situations. The state of Connecticut has very specific laws associated with being an employer. This can make or break the agency if they do not follow the letter of the law.