Home Care License in Minnesota

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 Minnesota 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 and key staff 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota requires the following for home care licensure in Minnesota:

The State of Minnesota requires that the business be covered by both General/Professional liability and Workman’s Compensation 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 Minnesota. This home care license is referred to as a basic home care provider license. A home care license application with home care policies and procedures will need to be compiled and sent to the State of Minnesota with a fee of $2,100. The Agency will be notified in writing within 14 days of receipt of the application. Ninety (90) Days after receiving a completed application the Department will issue or deny a Temporary License. Once a Temporary license is issued the Agency will have to notify the commissioner of the license five (5) days prior to rendering services. Ninety (90) days after services are being rendered there needs to be a survey that takes place for a full license if the Agency passes the survey. [144A.473] Initial Licensure can take up to 6 months.

Researching the Minnesota regulations is a must when starting this process of applying for your home care license in Minnesota. A Registered Nurse, Licensed Social Worker, Mental Health Professional or Qualified Developmental Disabilities Specialist with one (1) Year of supervisory experience is needed to oversee the Aides.  Minnesota also requires an Administrator and Alternately qualified individual with related experience to run the home care business. This person should have a GED, one (1) year of supervisory/administrative experience and pass a background check referred to as a background study. 

The Home Care License will have to be renewed annually and a state survey of the agency will usually take place. 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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.