business plan of home care

Home Care Business Plan Template & PDF Example

• September 4, 2024

Creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial for launching and running a successful home care business. This plan serves as your roadmap, detailing your vision, operational strategies, and financial plan. It helps establish your home care business’s identity, navigate the competitive market, and secure funding for growth.

This article not only breaks down the critical components of a home care business business plan, but also provides an example of a business plan to help you craft your own.

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or new to the healthcare industry, this guide, complete with a business plan example, lays the groundwork for turning your home care business concept into reality. Let’s dive in!

Our Home Care business plan is designed to address all vital elements necessary for a detailed and effective operational strategy. This plan encompasses the scope of our home care services, marketing approaches, the environment in which we operate, an analysis of our competitors, the structure of our management team, and financial projections. 

• Executive Summary : Offers a succinct overview of the Home Care business’s unique proposition, highlighting personalized and professional in-home care services tailored for seniors, market analysis showcasing the sector’s growth and demand, management’s expertise in senior care, and a financial strategy that outlines investment opportunities and revenue expectations.
• Services & Area Coverage: Describes the array of in-home care services, including personal care, medication management, specialized care for dementia, and emergency response, all delivered within a specified service radius to meet the unique needs of each senior.
• Pricing: Details the pricing strategy , designed to be transparent and competitive, offering flexible options to cater to various financial situations of clients, including hourly and flat-rate packages tailored to different care needs.
• Key Stats: Presents data underscoring the market size , growth trends, and demographics that illustrate the potential and necessity of home care services.
• Key Trends: Highlights significant trends such as the increasing preference for aging in place, the integration of technology in care, and a shift towards personalized care.
• Key Competitors: Analyzes the main competitors within the service area, their offerings, and how the business’s unique approach and technology set it apart.
• SWOT Analysis : Conducts a comprehensive analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to strategically position the business.
• Marketing Plan : Outlines marketing strategies aimed at building brand awareness, attracting new clients, and retaining them through superior service, patient satisfaction programs, and targeted marketing efforts.
• Timeline : Sets forth key milestones and objectives from the business setup to its launch and key growth phases.
• Management: Highlights the experienced team leading the business, from caregiving professionals to administrative management, emphasizing their roles in ensuring high-quality care and operational success.
• Financial Plan: Projects the financial outlook for the business over the next five years, detailing revenue models from various services, cost management strategies, profit margins, and expected return on investment, ensuring a clear route to financial sustainability and growth.

Home Care Business Plan Template (Download)

Fully editable 30+ slides Powerpoint presentation business plan template.

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Executive Summary

The Executive Summary introduces your home care business plan, offering a concise overview of your agency and its services. It should detail your market positioning, the range of home care services you offer, including personal care, nursing care, and companion services, its service area, and an outline of day-to-day operations. 

This section should also explore how your home care agency will integrate into the local community, including the number of direct competitors within the area, identifying who they are, along with your agency’s unique selling points that differentiate it from these competitors. 

Furthermore, you should include information about the management and co-founding team, detailing their roles and contributions to the agency’s success. Additionally, a summary of your financial projections, including revenue and profits over the next five years, should be presented here to provide a clear picture of your agency’s financial plan.

Home Care Business Plan Executive Summary Example

Business Overview

The  business overview  should succinctly define the unique aspects of your home care service, including specialized care offerings and the qualifications of your care team. Emphasizing what sets your business apart in the senior care market is key for drawing interest and investment.

Example: “Compassionate Home Care,” covering a 30-mile radius in Springfield, offers personalized services such as medication management, specialized dementia care, and emergency response. The initial team of 40 skilled caregivers, including CNAs, LPNs, and RNs, are all trained in geriatric care, ensuring a high standard of service for seniors wishing to age comfortably in their homes.

Market Overview

This section should analyze the home care market’s size, growth trends, and  competitive landscape . It positions your business within the industry and highlights its potential to meet the needs of an aging population.

Example: Compassionate Home Care enters a market valued at $102 billion, growing at a 7.1% CAGR. Despite competition from four other local providers, the clinic stands out with its comprehensive, technology-integrated, and holistic approach to home care, meeting the rising preference for aging in place.

Management Team

Detailing the management team’s background and roles is vital. This part of the summary should emphasize their experience in healthcare and senior care, underscoring their ability to lead the business successfully.

Example: The CEO, with extensive experience in healthcare management, leads the business strategy and operations, while the COO, a registered nurse with specialized training in geriatric and palliative care, heads the care services. Their combined expertise ensures a strong foundation for the business and high-quality care for clients.

Financial Plan

Clearly outlining financial goals and projections is key. This section should include revenue targets and profit margins, offering insight into the business’s financial health and growth potential.

Example: Compassionate Home Care aims to achieve $3.4 million in annual revenue with a 15% profit margin by 2028. Supported by a robust business model and strategic marketing efforts, the company is positioned for significant growth in the expanding senior home care market.

For a Home Care Business, the Business Overview section can be effectively divided into 2 main slides:

Services & Area Coverage

Briefly describe the range of home care services your agency offers, emphasizing the personalized and compassionate care provided to clients in the comfort of their own homes. This can include personal care services like bathing and dressing, skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and companion services such as meal preparation and light housekeeping.

Then, mention the geographic area your agency covers, highlighting the convenience and accessibility of your services to clients within this area. Explain why your service area is strategically chosen to meet the needs of your target clientele, considering factors like population demographics and the presence of community resources.

Pricing & Payment Options

Detail your pricing structure for the various home care services offered, ensuring it reflects the quality of care provided and is competitive within the market you’re targeting. Your pricing strategy should be transparent, making it easy for clients and their families to understand the cost of care.

Also,highlight any flexible payment options, insurance partnerships, or programs that can help offset the cost for clients, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance coverage. Emphasize any packages or special programs that provide added value to your clients, such as customized care plans or discounted rates for long-term services, encouraging long-term relationships and client loyalty.

Industry size & growth

In the Market Overview of your home care business plan, start by examining the size of the home care industry and its growth potential.

This analysis is crucial for understanding the market’s scope and identifying expansion opportunities, particularly in the context of an aging population and increasing preference for aging in place.

Key market trends

Proceed to discuss recent market trends , such as the growing consumer interest in personalized home care services, the use of technology to improve service delivery, and the emphasis on holistic care that encompasses physical, emotional, and social well-being.

For example, highlight the demand for services tailored to specific health conditions or preferences, alongside the rising popularity of integrated care models that coordinate across different healthcare providers.

Competitive Landscape

A  competitive analysis  is not just a tool for gauging the position of your home care business in the market and its key competitors; it’s also a fundamental component of your business plan.

This analysis helps in identifying your home care’s unique selling points, essential for differentiating your business in a  competitive  market.

In addition, competitive analysis is integral in laying a solid foundation for your business plan. By examining various operational aspects of your competitors, you gain valuable information that ensures your business plan is robust, informed, and tailored to succeed in the current market environment.

Identifying Competitors in the Home Care Sector

Begin by mapping out local home care service providers, including agencies specializing in elderly care, disability assistance, and in-home nursing care. Don’t limit your assessment to direct competitors alone; consider indirect competitors like assisted living facilities or telehealth services that may offer alternative solutions to potential clients.

Leverage online resources such as industry directories, healthcare platforms, and review sites like Healthgrades or Care.com to identify competitors and assess their service offerings, customer reviews, and ratings. For instance, positive feedback highlighting the compassionate care at “Caring Hands Home Health” signifies a strength you might want to factor into your analysis.

Home Care Competitors’ Strategies

Delve into multiple facets when analyzing competitors in the homecare industry:

• Service Offerings:  Scrutinize the spectrum of services provided by competitors. If “Nurturing Hearts Senior Care” is gaining traction by offering specialized memory care services for seniors with dementia, this reflects an emerging trend or niche within the market.
• Care Approaches:  Consider different caregiving approaches. A home care agency like “Comfort at Home Nursing” that emphasizes holistic care might cater to a different clientele compared to “Rapid Recovery Home Services,” known for its post-surgery rehabilitation programs.
• Pricing and Payment Models:  Compare the pricing structures of competitors. Are they positioning themselves as budget-friendly, like “Economical Care Services,” or do they offer premium services like “Elite Home Health” with concierge-level care?
• Marketing Channels :  Examine competitors’  marketing strategies . Are they leveraging digital platforms effectively, emphasizing community engagement, or relying on partnerships with healthcare providers to expand their reach?
• Client Experience:  Evaluate the overall client experience. For instance, “Warm Embrace Home Care” might be recognized for its compassionate caregivers and personalized attention, fostering a positive client experience.
• Operational Innovations:  Look for technological advancements or operational efficiencies adopted by competitors, such as “TechCare Solutions” utilizing telemedicine or streamlined scheduling systems for enhanced service delivery.

What’s Your Home Care Business’s Value Proposition

Define your home care agency’s  unique value proposition . Perhaps your agency specializes in personalized Alzheimer’s care or provides bilingual caregivers, catering to a specific demographic overlooked by competitors.

Identify untapped market needs through client feedback and industry trends. For instance, the increasing demand for tech-integrated remote monitoring might present an opportunity if competitors haven’t embraced such solutions.

Tailor your services to suit the demographics and preferences of your target area. A home care agency in an urban setting might emphasize on-demand services and tech-enabled communication, while one in a suburban locale may focus on building community connections and personalized care plans.

First, conduct a SWOT analysis for the home care business, highlighting Strengths (such as compassionate and well-trained caregivers, a comprehensive range of services), Weaknesses (including potential regulatory challenges or staffing issues), Opportunities (for example, an aging population and increasing preference for home-based care), and Threats (such as changes in healthcare policies that may affect funding or reimbursement).

Marketing Plan

Next, develop a marketing strategy that outlines how to attract and retain clients through targeted outreach, informative and empathetic communication, engaging online presence, and community partnerships. Emphasize the importance of building trust with clients and their families, showcasing testimonials, and highlighting the qualifications and dedication of your caregiving team.

Marketing Channels

Deploying various marketing channels is pivotal to reaching and engaging with potential clients effectively.

Digital Marketing

• Website and SEO:  Develop a user-friendly website with informative content about services offered, testimonials, and a blog providing caregiving tips. Optimize it for local SEO to enhance visibility in online searches.
• Social Media:  Utilize platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn to share engaging content, client testimonials, and educational resources on home care. Use Instagram to showcase the compassionate side of your caregivers and their impact.

Local Advertising

• Community Engagement : Engage with local communities through sponsorships of senior events, health fairs, or support groups. Host informational sessions or workshops on home care topics at community centers or retirement communities.

Partnerships and Referral Programs

• Healthcare Partnerships:  Forge alliances with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or medical professionals for referrals. Establish yourself as a trusted partner in providing post-hospitalization or long-term care.
• Referral Programs:  Create incentives for existing clients or healthcare providers who refer new clients to your home care services.

Promotional Activities

• Free Consultations : Offer complimentary consultations to potential clients, allowing them to experience the quality of your services firsthand.
• Special Offers:  Introduce introductory packages or discounts for new clients or seasonal promotions like ‘Holiday Care Packages’ to attract new business.

Sales Channels

Efficient  sales channels  are imperative for maximizing revenue while ensuring customer satisfaction in the home care sector.

Consultative Selling

• Tailored Care Plans:  Customize care plans based on the client’s needs and preferences during initial consultations. Emphasize the personalization and flexibility of your services.
• Transparent Pricing : Clearly outline pricing structures for different care plans, ensuring transparency and clarity for potential clients.

Client Retention Strategies

• Quality Service : Ensuring consistent and high-quality service delivery through ongoing caregiver training, quality checks, and client feedback mechanisms to guarantee satisfaction.
• Feedback Mechanisms:  Use membership programs as an avenue to gather feedback from clients. Offer surveys or feedback forms to understand their preferences better and continuously improve services.
• Continued Engagement:  Maintaining regular communication through newsletters, informative resources, health updates, and follow-up calls or visits to strengthen relationships and foster trust and loyalty.

Membership and Loyalty Programs

Incentivizing repeat business through membership and loyalty programs is a powerful strategy to foster long-term client relationships and encourage ongoing engagement.

Membership Options

• Exclusive Service Bundles:  Offer membership programs providing clients with a set number of hours of care or specific services at a discounted rate. For instance, a monthly membership could include a predetermined number of hours for companion care, personal care, or specialized medical assistance.
• Customizable Plans:  Create tiered membership levels with varying benefits to accommodate different client needs. These could range from basic caregiving services to more comprehensive care plans, providing flexibility and value to clients.

Loyalty Rewards

• Point-Based System:  Develop a digital loyalty program where clients earn points for every dollar spent on home care services. These points can be accumulated and redeemed for discounts on future services or additional perks, such as priority scheduling or complimentary consultations.
• Referral Incentives:  Reward clients for referrals by offering bonus points or discounts when they refer friends or family members to the home care services. This not only encourages loyalty but also helps expand the client base through word-of-mouth referrals.

Exclusive Benefits

• Member-Only Offers:  Provide exclusive offers or special benefits to members, such as priority access to caregivers, discounted rates on additional services, or access to educational resources and workshops related to caregiving.
• Anniversary Rewards:  Celebrate client  milestones , such as membership anniversaries, with bonus points, complimentary service upgrades, or personalized gifts to showcase appreciation and reinforce client loyalty.

Strategy Timeline

Finally, create a detailed timeline that outlines critical milestones for the home care agency’s launch, client acquisition efforts, service expansion, and strategic objectives, ensuring the business advances with clear direction and purpose. Include key benchmarks for assessing the quality of care, client satisfaction, and operational efficiency to continually improve and grow your agency.

The Management section focuses on the home care business’s management and their direct roles in daily operations and strategic direction. This part is crucial for understanding who is responsible for making key decisions and driving the home care business towards its financial and operational goals.

For your home care business plan, list the core team members, their specific responsibilities, and how their expertise supports the business.

The Financial Plan section is a comprehensive analysis of your financial projections for revenue, expenses, and profitability. It lays out your home care business’s approach to securing funding, managing cash flow, and achieving breakeven.

This section typically includes detailed forecasts for the first 5 years of operation, highlighting expected revenue, operating costs and capital expenditures.

For your home care business plan, provide a snapshot of your financial statement (profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow statement), as well as your key assumptions (e.g. number of customers and prices, expenses, etc.).

Make sure to cover here _ Profit and Loss _ Cash Flow Statement _ Balance Sheet _ Use of Funds

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Home Health Care Business Plan

The demand for quality home healthcare continues to grow with an aging population and a rising preference for in-home care.

As a result, the global home healthcare industry is booming—valued at $390.24 billion in 2023 and projected to expand further.

This shows a great opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to start a home healthcare business that makes a meaningful impact and has a strong growth potential.

However, it’s crucial to create an actionable business plan to attract investors and build a solid foundation for long-term success.

Need help drafting your plan? Not to worry!

This home healthcare business plan template will help you get started as well as understand how to write a successful business plan. But before that…

Importance of a home care business plan

Whether you’re an experienced home health care services provider or a beginner, you need a solid business plan . It serves as a strategic roadmap to successfully navigate the competitive home health care industry.

Check out these primary reasons why it’s essential:

• Clarifies the vision and mission of the home healthcare business as well as outlines strategic priorities, aligning everyone towards common goals.
• Provides comprehensive financial forecasts and budgeting that further helps in securing funding and managing cash flow.
• Gives valuable insights into the healthcare industry, target market, and competitive environment while allowing you to identify opportunities and differentiate services.
• Helps you identify the potential risks and challenges your healthcare business might face so you can develop mitigation strategies.
• Acts as an operational framework that helps you define the business structure, key roles, and processes required for efficient daily operations and quality patient care.

Now that you know the importance of a home healthcare business plan, it’s time to understand how to draft one.

How to write a business plan for home healthcare

Creating a home health care business plan involves several key sections to cover all your business aspects and strategies. Here’s a guide on how to write each component in detail:

1. Executive summary

An executive summary is a high-level introduction to your home health care agency as well as its concept and services.

Though it’s the first section of a home healthcare business plan, it’s written in the end once all the other sections are ready. Why? Because it summarizes the most essential elements mentioned in your plan.

Typically, your executive summary must include the following details:

• Business name, location, & its legal entity
• Mission and vision of your agency
• Market opportunities and your target audience
• Healthcare services you’ll offer (skilled nursing care, physical therapy, personal care, etc.)
• Promotional strategies
• Financial projections along with funding needs

In short, this section presents a quick, concise overview of your entire home healthcare business plan.

So, try to make it simple yet effective, capturing readers’ attention and persuading them to learn more about your business.  Also, aim for a summary that is 1 or 2 pages in length.

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2. Business overview

The business overview section provides a detailed explanation of your home healthcare company and its nature.

So, it’s a good opportunity to explain your business idea in detail and give readers an in-depth understanding of your home healthcare services.

Here’s a list of components that you should enclose in this section:

• Legal structure of your business (s-corp, LLC, or sole proprietorship)
• Business owners or partners
• Core values and vision statement
• Location & reason behind deciding that place
• Background history and milestones achieved (if any)
• Future goals along with the growth plans

In addition to that, discuss how your healthcare agency will comply with federal, state, and local regulations. Further, ensure you have licenses or certifications as well as discuss how you follow health and safety standards.

In simple terms, this section highlights all your business’s foundational facts and structural aspects that every potential investor or lender wants to know.

3. Market research

The market research section offers a clear snapshot of the external environment or sector in which your home health care company intends to operate.

This will help you get valuable insights into the market size and its growth potential, target audience, client needs and preferences, opportunities, challenges, healthcare industry trends , and competitors.

So, first, conduct thorough market research or analytical work to start and grow your home health care services successfully.

For instance, consider answering the following questions while planning this section:

• What’s the revenue of the global or national home health care market?
• How big is the home health care industry in the USA? Is it growing or declining?
• What’s the growth forecast for the next 5-10 years?
• Which are the top home healthcare agencies in the industry?
• What are the recent health care services trends in the market?
• Who are your potential clients in terms of their psychographic and demographic profiles?

If required, illustrate a detailed breakdown of your customer persona to specify the ideal client needs and preferences. Here’s an example:

By integrating such buyer persona segments, you show potential investors or stakeholders that you understand your target market better and satisfy their needs. Also, it helps you develop more focused strategies for growth and expansion.

4. Competitive analysis

The competitive analysis section emphasizes the competition (both direct and indirect) in your chosen marketplace.

Your direct competitors can be other home health care agencies. Besides, businesses that offer alternative services (such as assisted living facilities, nursing homes, occupational therapy, or non medical services) can be your indirect competitors.

But focus more on the direct competitors as they offer similar services as your. Analyze each competitor’s strengths and weaknesses, considering a few factors like their service offerings, client base, pricing models, as well as quality of home health aides and care.

This will help you determine where each competitor stands in the health care industry and identify the potential opportunities to differentiate your home health care service.

Overall, it’s an important aspect of market analysis that helps you explain your unique competitive advantage and develop strategies to position your home health care company effectively.

5. Marketing plan

Your home healthcare marketing plan summarizes the strategies you’ve planned to attract new customers and retain existing clients or patients.

A well-developed marketing plan allows you to create an effective promotional campaign and streamline your marketing efforts while maximizing brand awareness.

To plan this section, consider highlighting how you’ll promote your home healthcare services:

• Build a strong online presence through a professional website.
• Utilize social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) to share engaging content and client testimonials.
• Work with online press release distribution firms to develop your brand identity.
• Partner with hospitals, rehabilitation homes, senior centers, or medical professionals for referrals.
• Engage in direct email marketing campaigns to target local healthcare facilities and professionals.
• Participate in local community events, health fairs, or senior events.

Moreover, outline your client retention strategies and sales approach, such as free assessments, in-home consultations, loyalty programs, bundled service packages, discounts for new clients, or seasonal promotions.

6. Service offerings

This section is a comprehensive list of the home health care services that your agency will offer to its clients. It also represents your pricing strategy, including hourly rates, service packages, or subscription plans.

So, consider drafting the specific services you offer, such as:

• Skilled nursing services
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Home health care aides
• Speech therapy
• Personal care
• On-call quality medical professionals
• Behavioral health

Additionally, mention specialized services that you plan to include, like employing occupational therapists or skilled nurses for unique service offerings.

After that, jot down how your home care business will fulfill the diverse needs of the aging population. Then clarify how your home health care services will differ from those provided by other home health care businesses.

7. Management team

The management team section highlights your home healthcare agency’s organizational structure as well as the key individuals responsible for daily operations and strategic planning.

It helps you weigh authority and show potential investors or stakeholders that your home health care business is led by a capable team.

So, briefly introduce the founders, managers, administrative staff, and healthcare professionals, including skilled nurses, caregivers, medical social workers, or other medical professionals. Also, include their roles & responsibilities, qualifications, and industry experience.

Furthermore, describe how each member will contribute to the success of your home health care business and the requirement of high-quality care for your clientele.

If applicable, create an organization chart that illustrates your company’s hierarchical structure and the relationships between key roles. For example:

8. Operations plan

The operations plan provides a detailed description of the day-to-day business processes and activities to run your home healthcare smoothly.

It means you need to explain how you’ll manage the operational intricacies and what it takes to run a home healthcare service on a daily basis.

Here’s a list of elements that your business operations plan section must include:

• Staffing requirements and training
• Operational processes, like client intake, scheduling, record-keeping, billing, etc.
• Customer service policies
• Technology and equipment used
• Office space and facilities

By detailing these operations aspects, you give readers a clear picture of the quality of your services and the necessary resources to ensure the success of your home health care business.

9. Financial plan

The financial plan is the most crucial aspect of your home health care business plan as it helps you showcase the financial viability and sustainability of your business.

So, in your home healthcare financial plan , consider providing a detailed analysis of your financial projections for the first 3-5 years of operation.

Also, outline your business’s revenue forecasts, pricing structure, and expected expenses (including salaries and medical equipment costs). Further, provide detailed financial statements and reports, such as:

Projected income statement

Cash flow statement

Balance sheet

Moreover, don’t forget to mention funding needs and use of funds as well as enclose sensitivity analyses for different scenarios.

In short, a comprehensive and realistic financial plan lays out your home care business’s approach to securing funding, managing cash flow, and achieving break-even.

10. Appendix

In the home health care business plan appendix, you can attach any supporting documents that don’t fit into specific sections but support your plan. Such as:

• Resumes of key management team
• Market research data and surveys
• Copies of relevant licenses and certifications
• Samples of your marketing materials
• Letters of support or testimonial
• Names and makes of expensive medical equipment that will require large funding
• Details on affordable home health care policies you will provide

Simply put, this will add credibility and depth to your home healthcare agency plan. It also helps readers get the further understanding or validation of your business operations.

Download home health care business plan template

Ready to write your home health care business plan from scratch? But need more assistance with that? Look no further; download our free home health care business plan template pdf to start.

It’s a modern business plan template designed specifically for your home healthcare businesses. This sample business plan involves practical insights and examples that you may use as a guide for writing your own plan.

Now that you’ve a good idea of how to draft a home health care business plan and what to include in it, you can easily draft your very own business plan.

But if you’re still confused or looking for an easy way to develop your plan, consider using advanced business planning software . It helps you build an actionable business plan quickly and more effectively.

So, why wait? Start planning for your healthcare venture!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are funding sources for a home healthcare business.

Explore various funding sources for a home healthcare business, such as:

• Friends and family members
• Traditional bank or Small Business Administration (SBA) loans
• Angel investors or venture capitalists
• Government grants (visit: grants.gov , hhs.gov (the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services))
• Lines of credit or equipment financing
• Crowdfunding platforms ( Kickstarter or GoFundMe )

How to make a home health agency business plan?

Follow these steps to make your home healthcare agency business plan:

• Outline your business idea, mission, vision, goals, and strategies to achieve them.
• Highlight your home healthcare industry analysis, target customers as well as top competitors.
• Summarize your company’s promotions strategy and marketing efforts.
• Describe your service offerings and explain how they meet every client’s needs & preferences.
• Introduce your home health care team and advisory board members along with their resume-styled summary.
• Discuss day-to-day business operations, staffing needs, and regulatory compliance.
• Formulate initial startup costs, revenue projections, and operating expenses, as well as illustrate a clear path to profitability.

How long should my homecare business plan be?

Your homecare business plan should be typically 15 to 35 pages, comprehensive yet concise. Ensure it covers all the important sections like business description, industry analysis, target audience, marketing and recruitment strategies, home health services, and financial forecasts.

How often should I update my home health business plan?

Your home healthcare business plan is a living document that you should review and update regularly, at least once a year, or whenever significant changes occur in the business environment or market conditions. Regular updates will keep your plan relevant and aligned with your goals.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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Home Health Care Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Home Health Care Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your home health care business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their home health care businesses.

Home Care Business Plan Example

Below is a template to help you create each section of your home health care agency business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

St. Helen’s Home Care is a new home healthcare business that serves the aging population of Austin, Texas. As individuals age, they are more susceptible to diseases and other conditions and need extra help to receive health care. However, many individuals wish to receive care in the comfort of their homes instead of going to a nursing home or hospital. St. Helen’s will provide this population with the care they need without them needing to travel. Our nursing services include physical therapy, skilled nursing care and other healthcare services that can be conducted in the home. We also provide warmth, compassion, and companionship to create lasting relationships with our clients.

St. Helen’s Home Care is run by Helen Parker, who has been a nurse for twenty years. She has specialized in working with aging populations and has extensive knowledge of the common conditions and needs of this age group. Her experience and connections have helped her find other medical professionals who want to join our company. Furthermore, she was able to establish an initial client base from the list of patients she has been helping for years.

Services Offered

St. Helen’s Home Care offers a variety of home health care services that serve the aging population of Austin, Texas. These services include but are not limited to:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech-language therapy
• Skilled Nursing Services
• Personal care and housekeeping

Customer Focus

St. Helen’s Home Care will serve the aging population of Austin, Texas, primarily residents over the age of 65. This population is susceptible to many conditions that make daily living difficult such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, arthritis, and diabetes. This population needs more health care than other age groups, but not all services require a visit to the hospital or doctor’s office. St. Helen’s will provide any medical service that can easily be conducted in a home setting.

Management Team

St. Helen’s Home Care is owned and operated by Helen Parker, a local nurse who has worked at local hospitals for over the past twenty years. She has worked with hundreds of elderly patients and their families and has helped them find adequate and affordable home health care upon being released from the hospital. Helen Parker has realized there is a lack of quality and affordable home healthcare agencies in Austin. She aims to provide in-home services while also being affordable for the patient and their families.

Aside from the medical professionals she will have on staff, Helen has also employed an Administrative Assistant, Accountant, and Marketing Specialist to help her operate the company.

Success Factors

St. Helen’s Home Care will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Compassionate Staff: Helen’s will employ a compassionate and friendly staff of nurses, therapists, home health care aides, and social workers who are highly knowledgeable and experienced in their field.
• Quality Care: Helen’s will provide expert nursing services so that the patients are at the highest comfort level.
• Pricing: Helen’s pricing will be more affordable than other home health care agencies. They will also work on payment arrangements with the patient and their family so that the patient won’t have to sacrifice any type of care because the cost is too high. The company is also working to partner with local and national insurance companies so that our patients can have their care partially or fully covered by their insurance plans.

Financial Highlights

St. Helen’s Home Care is seeking $340,000 in funding to launch the home healthcare business. The capital will be used for funding equipment and supplies, staffing, marketing expenses, and working capital.

The breakdown of the funding may be seen below:

• Equipment and supplies (such as computers and medical equipment): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $50,000
• Staffing costs: $60,000
• Working capital (to include three months of overhead expenditures): $80,000

The following graph outlines the pro forma financial projections for St. Helens’ Home Care over the next five years:

Company Overview

Who is st. helen’s home care.

St. Helen’s Home Care is a new home healthcare business that serves the aging population of Austin, Texas. As individuals age, they are more susceptible to diseases and other conditions and need extra help to receive health care. However, many individuals wish to receive care in the comfort of their homes instead of going to a nursing home or hospital. St. Helen’s will provide this population with the care they need without them needing to travel. Our services include physical therapy, nursing, and other healthcare services that can be conducted in the home. We also provide warmth, compassion, and companionship to create lasting relationships with our clients.

St. Helen’s Home Care History

Helen Parker has worked with thousands of elderly patients during her career as a nurse. She often found that many people did not need to travel to a doctor’s office or hospital for their care. Instead, these patients often enjoyed a higher quality of life when they received care from their homes. This revelation inspired her to start a business where she and other professionals could provide care to local elderly patients in the comfort of their homes. After conducting the market research needed to establish the company, Helen incorporated St. Helen’s Home Care as an S-corporation on May 15th, 2022.

Since incorporation, St. Helen’s has achieved the following milestones:

• Found an office location and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the logo and website for the company
• Finalized list of services the company will be able to provide
• Determined the office equipment and inventory requirements
• Created an initial client base from Helen’s pre-existing patient list
• Started creating partnerships with local and national medical insurance companies
• Began recruiting key employees, including medical and administrative staff

St. Helen’s Home Care Services

Industry analysis.

According to Grand View Research, the global home health care industry was valued at $336 billion USD in 2021. It is also expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.93% from 2022 to 2030 and reach a value of $666.9 billion USD by 2030. This shows that these services will be in great demand, which means it is a great time to start a home healthcare business.

This growth is primarily driven by a growing geriatric population. People are living longer than ever before, and therefore, they will need comfortable healthcare services for much longer. Furthermore, baby boomers comprise a large population and are now entering their retirement years. It is expected that this enormous population will have a significant need for healthcare (whether in the home or doctor’s office) and may create a strain on the current industry. However, this also means there is an enormous opportunity for healthcare businesses to be extremely profitable in the near future.

This is especially true for home healthcare services, which are increasing in demand. Most aging people would rather receive medical care at home than go to a nursing home or hospital. Therefore, there is an incredible demand for these particular services.

The only challenge affecting the industry is a lack of properly trained staff who can take on a healthcare career. However, this will only mean that home healthcare services will be even more valued. These industry trends will only help boost the popularity and success of St. Helen’s Home Care.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

St. Helen’s Home Care will primarily target the aging population of Austin, Texas. This includes anyone over the age of 65, especially those who live with diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, or other conditions that affect their quality of life.

The precise demographics of Austin, Texas, are:

Customer Segmentation

St. Helen’s will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Aging individuals over the age of 65
• Individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia
• Elderly individuals with other health conditions

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

St. Helen’s Home Care will face competition from other home health care agencies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Travis County Home Health

Travis County Memorial Hospital’s Home Health & Hospice has provided home health services for over a decade. Their staff is composed of dedicated professionals who are committed to providing quality care in the comfort and convenience of their patients’ homes. Their home health aides can assist the patient with grooming and light chores around their home. Home health care will verify if home health aide services are covered by their insurance policy. They accept Medicare, Insurance/HMO/PPO, Medicaid, and Private Pay. The home health care team works closely with the physician to plan the care and monitor the patients’ progress. The nurse will contact the physician with any laboratory results, medication changes, or alterations in their health status.

Elara Caring

Elara Caring is one of the nation’s largest providers of home-based care, with a footprint in most regions of the United States. Elara Caring brings together three award-winning organizations – Great Lakes Caring, National Home Health Care, and Jordan Health Services, into one transformational company. They provide the highest-quality comprehensive care continuum of personal care, skilled home health, hospice care, and behavioral health. Their intimate understanding of their patients’ needs allows them to apply proprietary platforms to deliver proactive, customized care that improves quality of life and keeps patients in their homes.

Encompass Health

Encompass Health is one of the nation’s leading providers of home health services. They continually set the standard of homecare through their people, their approach, and their outcomes.

The patient experience is at the core of everything they do. That’s why they work collaboratively with the patient’s team of experts to craft a plan of care that meets their specific needs. Their skilled nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, medical social workers, and home health aides use a coordinated, interprofessional approach to deliver compassionate, specialized care in the comfort of home. Whether recovering from a surgery, a recent hospital stay, or managing a disease or injury, Encompass Health’s services are designed to meet patients where they are.

Competitive Advantage

• Compassionate Staff: Helen’s will employ a compassionate and friendly staff of nurses, therapists, aides, and social workers who are highly knowledgeable and experienced in their field.
• Quality Care: Helen’s will provide expert services so that the patients are at the highest comfort level.
• Pricing: Helen’s will provide affordable home health care. They will also work on payment arrangements with the patient and their family so that the patient won’t have to sacrifice any type of care because the cost is too high. The company is also working to partner with local and national insurance companies so that our patients can have their care partially or fully covered by their insurance plans.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

The St. Helen’s brand will focus on the company’s unique value proposition:

• Knowledgeable, friendly, compassionate staff of healthcare professionals.
• Quality level of service and care.
• Offering the best nursing, therapy, social worker, and home aide services at competitive prices.

Promotions Strategy

St Helen’s Home Care will target elderly residents living in the Austin, Texas area. The company’s promotions strategy to reach the most clientele include:

Local Hospitals

Helen Parker already has great relationships with the local hospitals. She will work to make sure the hospitals send referrals and highly recommend the company to its patients and their families upon releasing them from the hospital.

Website/SEO Marketing

St. Helen’s has a website that is well-organized and informative and lists all our available services. The website also lists the company’s contact information and information about the medical professionals who provide our services.  We will utilize SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “Austin home health care” or “Austin health care,” St. Helen’s will be listed at the top of the search results.

St. Helen’s Home Care will have a billboard at a busy intersection where thousands of cars and pedestrians pass daily. The location of the billboard will be in an area of town where there are a lot of doctors’ offices, rehab facilities, and a hospital nearby.

Insurance Partnerships

St. Helens will partner with local and national insurance companies so that our patients can be partially or fully covered for the services we provide. We will ask the insurance companies to recommend our services to their customers and have our business listed on their websites.

St Helen’s pricing will be moderate so customers feel they receive great value when purchasing its services. Services will either be charged directly to the patient or to their insurance plan.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for St. Helen’s Home Care.

Operation Functions:

• Helen Parker will be the Chief Executive Officer of the company. She will be in charge of the business operations side of the business and provide home healthcare services until we have a full staff of medical professionals.
• Helen is assisted by her longtime colleague Mary Green. Mary will be the Administrative Assistant and help with all general administration tasks, including taking phone calls and scheduling appointments.
• Keith O’Reilly will serve as the Staff Accountant. He will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
• Betty Lopez will work as the Marketing Specialist. She will run the website, social media, and other marketing efforts.
• Helen will hire a large team of medical professionals to serve our growing client base. So far, some of her former colleagues have agreed to work for her business.

Milestones:

St. Helen’s Home Care will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

8/1/202X – Finalize lease for the office space.

8/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts.

9/1/202X – Begin refurbishment and furnishing of the office space.

9/15/202X – Begin networking at medical industry events.

9/22/202X – Begin marketing campaign to attract the first clients.

11/1/202X – St. Helen’s Home Care opens for business.

St. Helen’s Home Care is owned and operated by Helen Parker, a local nurse who has worked at local hospitals for over the past twenty years. She has worked with hundreds of elderly patients and their families and has helped them find adequate and affordable home health care upon being released from the hospital. Helen Parker has realized there is a lack of quality and affordable home healthcare agencies in Austin. She aims to provide the best in-home health care services while also being affordable for the patient and their families.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenues for St. Helen’s Home Care will come from the fees it will charge the patients and their insurance for the provided health care services.

The major cost drivers for the company will be the staff payroll, marketing expenses, lease, and office equipment.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials as well as pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of clients per month: 100
• Annual lease: $50,000
• Overhead costs per year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, home health care business plan faqs, what is a home health care business plan.

A home health care business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your home health care business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Home Health Care business plan using our Home Health Care Business Plan Template here .

What are the Steps To Start a Home Health Care Business?

Starting a home health care business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Home Health Care Business Plan – The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed home health care business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include market research on the home health care industry and potential target market size, information on the home health care services you will offer, marketing strategies, pricing detailed and your financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure – It’s important to select an appropriate legal entity for your home health care business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your home health care business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Home Health Care Business – Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your home health care business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options – It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your home health care business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location – Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees – There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Home Health Care Equipment & Supplies – In order to start your home health care business, you’ll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business – Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your home health care business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful home health care business:

How to Start a Home Health Care Business

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Start » business ideas, how to start a home care business.

Starting a home care business can be a lucrative opportunity for anyone with health care experience. Learn the seven steps you’ll need to take to get started.

Home care businesses provide a valuable service to the community, which is why the industry is expected to double in size over the next 15 years. But the job is demanding, and it’s essential to perform your due diligence before getting started.

What is a home care business?

Home care businesses offer home health and medical services to aging or sick individuals. It’s an umbrella term used to refer to multiple types of services.

A home care business could provide the following services:

• Companionship to seniors.
• Assisting clients with daily activities like housekeeping and cooking.
• Home therapy services, like physical and occupational therapy.
• Hospice care.

7 tips to starting a home care business

Find out what certifications you need.

Before starting a home care business, you must certify your business through the state and obtain a license. It’s also a good idea to check your local health department to find out if you need any additional licenses. This is not an overnight process and could take as long as a year to complete.

Decide what services you’ll offer

Home care businesses can cover a wide variety of services. You want to decide which type of services you will provide based on your experience and your staff.

If you’re not sure what service you want to offer, spend some time researching the top growing trends in the health care field. This can be an excellent way to match your skills with the current market demand.

As a home care worker, you cannot discuss health records with family or friends.

Identify your target market

Next, you’ll want to spend some time thinking about your target market. This is not necessarily the clients you’ll be serving, but the individuals who will be hiring you. For instance, if you offer hospice services, your target market is the adult children who will hire you to care for their parents.

Create a business plan

The best way to set yourself up for success is by coming up with a detailed business plan. A business plan will outline your target market, your financial plan and how you plan to market your business.

Having a business plan can make it easier to qualify for a small business loan. A loan can help you get your business off the ground faster and let you avoid having to dip into your savings.

[ Read more: How to Write a One-Page Business Plan in a Hurry ]

Make sure you understand HIPAA laws

HIPAA compliance can be one of the most challenging aspects of starting a home care business. HIPAA laws protect the patient's privacy and ensure that third parties can’t access their records without their consent.

As a home care worker, you cannot discuss health records with family or friends. This could frustrate some family members and friends and make it harder for you to do your job. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of HIPAA laws before starting your business.

Come up with a marketing plan

Once you have your business set up and have applied for the appropriate licenses, you should begin marketing your business. You can promote your business on social media and invest in local advertising.

And don’t forget to ask current clients for referrals. Referrals are an excellent―and free―way to grow your business.

[ Read more: The Difference Between Sales and Marketing ]

Hire your staff

If you want to grow your home care business, then at some point you’ll have to bring on staff. You should choose your employees carefully since they directly represent the quality care you will provide.

Conduct a thorough interview process and run background checks on all employees. You can find potential employees through a staffing agency or through personal recommendations.

[ Read more: The Best Interview Questions to Ask, According to Franchise Owners ]

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How to craft a successful home care business plan

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As a home care provider, you run your business with compassion and knowledge of the job and the local community you work with. After you’ve learned more about how to become a caregiver and how to start a home care business , you’re ready to formalize your ideas with a business plan.

How to create a home care business plan

Your business plan is an essential part of the portfolio you’ll present to banks, investors, and partners before launching your company. Every entrepreneur can benefit from a business plan that helps you turn your vision into action and strategize for success. For home care professionals, there are unique additions and considerations for your business plan. From determining your core local clients to developing the marketing plan to reach them, this guide will walk you through nine sections for your home care business plan.

1. The executive summary

The executive summary kicks off your business plan and hooks whoever’s reading it to learn more about your company and your proposal. Think of it a little like a sales pitch for your business and a preview of everything you lay out in your business plan.

A home care business summary should include:

• Your mission and the populations your business will serve 
• A list of your primary services 
• The demand for these services in your community
• What sets your home care business apart from competitors
• Your vision 
• A summary of funding needs

2. The company description

As a home care business working with clients in need, your professional background should be front and center. Your company description offers a snapshot of you and your business, and should include:

• The registered (or intended registered) name of your business
• The location of your company headquarters, and the neighborhoods, area, or city your business will reach
• Management, primary personnel, and their professional backgrounds
• Any licenses or certifications your staff has

Different types of home care services will need different certifications, like medical home care companies compared with senior transportation providers, for example. Make sure to research and include the requirements in your county, city, and state. 

If you’re in the preliminary stages of creating your home care business and haven’t secured the required licenses yet, mention any certifications you’re pursuing in this description.

3. Your business mission and goals

The mission and goals section of a business plan outlines the primary objectives of your company and how you plan to achieve them.

As more Americans advance into the senior age bracket, demand for credible home care businesses is rising. This need can help position your business for success and give you more opportunities to refine your mission and select specific populations to focus on. 

The need for home care help for senior relatives in particular has grown. As home care professional Christine Friedberg reflects, “I used to get on the phone and talk with clients about home care being an option for them or for their loved one, but it was like a new concept…For a long time, we were trying to educate the community about what home care was. Demand is greater than ever now.”

Medicare’s Triple Aim program may provide general inspiration for your own company goals. Their three pillars are :

• Centering and improving patients’ experience of care
• Improving health outcomes of patients served
• Mitigating the cost of care for individuals

From a business perspective, working with specific demographics may give you a leg up on funding. Based in Alexandria, VA, Griswold Home Care works with the area’s large population of aging veterans. To reach more of them, Griswold joined the cross-regional VA Community Care Network to provide in-home services to veterans needing extra support at home.

Not only was Griswold able to reach a specific community in need, but the program also helped this local home care business secure funding directly from the Department of Veterans Affairs . “We’ll see anywhere from 5 to 20 hours a week that the VA is covering, in terms of actually contracting with us directly. They pay us directly…so it’s very easy for the veteran to get in, take advantage of this program and take advantage of this care.”

In the home care industry, other demographics include:

• LGBTQ senior citizens
• People with Alzheimer’s
• People living with disabilities
• Non-seniors living with disabilities
• Adults whose first language isn’t English

Keep your demographic in mind as you refine your company’s identity and plan for growth. It will determine the steps you’ll take to fund your business and reach the neighbors who need you most.

4. Your services

The services section of your home care business plan sets the vision for what your business will specifically do. There are two main types of home care companies and services:

• Non-medical home care services – This type of home care business is not licensed to administer medical services or healthcare to its clients. Instead, they provide support, companionship, and home assistance. Services may include driving clients to doctor’s appointments, taking them to the park, or preparing meals.
• Medical home care services – Medical home care providers are staffed by nurses or other medical professionals licensed to administer medical care to their clients.

With the growing need for at-home healthcare businesses, some of the most common home care services include:

• Assistance with dressing, bathing, and using the toilet
• Companionship and diversion
• House cleaning and support with daily chores
• Transportation
• Hospice care
• Continued education for older adults
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription fulfillment services
• Administering medication
• Tracking vital physical or psychological health 
• Senior citizen relocation assistance
• Specialty nursing for a long-term illness or disability
• 24-hour emergency services

Get specific about what caregiver duties you’ll provide your clients, narrowing down your list with the most needed services in your local community. With 1 in 3 U.S. households on Nextdoor , you’ll be able to connect with neighbors, and your most important clients, with a free business page.

5. Your management structure

This section of your business plan establishes the legal status of your company, which affects other details, from the extent of your liability as the owner to how you’ll file taxes.

The most common business structures for home care providers are:

• Limited liability company (LLC)
• Sole proprietorship
• Partnership
• Corporation

To choose the right business structure for you, consider:

• Liability – Every business is financially and legally liable to compensate for injuries committed on their watch. Consult with an accountant to take stock of your personal assets to choose a framework that gives you adequate protection.
• Taxes – Your home healthcare business structure will determine how the profits you earn are taxed, whether through your business, on your individual tax returns, or a hybrid of both. As a general rule, the larger your company is, or the more shareholders it has, the more complex the tax process will be.
• Growth expectations – Whether your home care company will focus on your neighborhood or expand nationwide, your business structure should reflect your desired administrative capacity and set the stage for investors who want to scale alongside you. 

While S corporations and C corporations are often better suited for larger-scale companies, it’s possible to change the legal structure of your organization as it grows. Consider hiring experts, like a lawyer and an accountant, to help you with this stage of the process, especially if they have advised other local businesses in your area.

6. Your marketing plan

Show potential funding partners you know the modern home care market and set your local business up for success with marketing goals that cover the following bases:

• Digital marketing - In a job as intimate as home care, any new caregiver business begins on the local level. Sign up for a free business page with Nextdoor to instantly unlock a network of verified neighbors near you. Keep your business page updated with your story, photos, and contact information so local clients can find you and easily get in touch. Introduce yourself, share job listings, and keep neighbors updated on your business with free posts or hyperlocal advertising tools to reach more clients in specific ZIP codes you want to grow your business in.
• Partnerships – Qualified home care providers may be eligible to partner with care networks already plugged into local consumer demand. If properly licensed, apply to enroll as a Medicaid or Medicare partner. 
• Word-of-mouth marketing – Since home care professionals are a part of their clients’ and families’ lives, your local reputation will be important. Build trust in you and your services with testimonials on your website and recommendations on Nextdoor. 72% of neighbors there have been influenced by a business recommendation and 71% have shared one. Consider sharing your website and Nextdoor page with former clients to ask them for a recommendation.

Anything that makes your home care business unique, include in this section of your business plan. With a growing population of aging Americans, entrepreneurs are getting creative about the types of care they offer to suit different lifestyles.

Take Dr. Bill Thomas . He thought there should be a senior care option in place of the traditional nursing home so he created Minka, a company that builds small dwellings tailormade for seniors who want extra assistance, community, and autonomy in their advanced years. Says Thomas, “I think there will continue to be congregate housing, but the more choices people find in front of them, the more they’ll find something that suits them best.”

7. Your core financials

The next two sections cover your financial history with projections for your home care business’s future. This will be important for your business strategy, as well as for potential lenders, investors, or partners. 

The finance section of your home care business plan should include:

• Income statement
• Balance sheet
• Expected revenue
• A list of your assets and debts
• A summary of company expenses
• Desired loans

If you plan to enroll as a provider through a network like Medicare, mention in this section of your business plan.

8. Financial projections

This section of your home care business plan is important if you’re asking for an investment of any kind as it covers the funding you’re requesting, what you’ll use it for, and your plan to pay it back.

Financial projections should cover at least three years. Fortunately, the home care industry is slated for financial growth in the coming years. In the U.S. alone, the compound annual growth rate for home health care is projected to be 14.2% between 2021 and 2027.

However you plan to grow your company, speak with your local bank to discuss the full spectrum of financial options before finalizing your business plan. 

You can also connect with fellow home care professionals through Nextdoor for more information on the local home care industry in and around your neighborhood. This will help you get a realistic sense of your financial plan and the next few years operating your business.

9. Appendix

Your business plan’s appendix is where you’ll include any supporting or miscellaneous information for your business goals that didn’t have a place in the earlier sections.

Consider including:

• The resumes or educational and professional backgrounds of you, the owner, and your core staff
• Medical or non-medical licensing, or the licenses you plan to secure
• Any legal permits your business needs or the ones you plan to secure
• Bank statements, loans, and personal or professional credit history
• Real estate information about your business’ headquarters, if applicable

Make local connections through Nextdoor

As more Americans age, local caregivers are increasingly integral to the health of their communities. An effective home care business plan should tell this compelling narrative, sharing why there’s a need for your services and what you’ll do to fulfill them in your area. 

If you’re just building your local home care business, start close to home with a Nextdoor Business Page. Signing up is free, takes just a few minutes, and will help you spread the word, turning your neighbors into your first clients. 

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How To Write a Winning Home Health Care Agency Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for home health care agency businesses who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every home health care agency business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is a Home Health Care Agency Business Plan?

A home health care agency business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Home Health Care Agency Business Plan?

A home health care agency business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Home Health Care Agency Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful home health care agency business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a home health care agency business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your home health care agency  
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your home health care agency business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your home health care agency firm, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen home health care agency business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a home health care agency business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the home health care agency industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, the customers of a home health care agency may include:

• The elderly
• People with disabilities
• New mothers
• Patients recovering from surgery or illness

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or home health care agency services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or, you may promote your home health care agency business via public relations or partner with another organization to sponsor an event.  

Operations Plan

This part of your home health care agency business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a home health care agency business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include hiring a certain number of employees, signing on a certain number of clients, and so on.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific home health care agency industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly, if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Home Health Care Agency  

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Home Health Care Agency  

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup home health care agency business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Home Health Care Agency  

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your home health care agency . It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

A well-written business plan is an essential tool for any home health care agency. The tips we’ve provided in this article should help you write a winning business plan for your home health care agency.  

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How To Write a Winning Non-Medical Home Care Business Plan + Template

Home Health Care Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their home health care businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a home health care business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Home Health Care Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your home health care business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Home Health Care Agency

If you’re looking to start a home health care business, or grow your existing home health care business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your home health care business in order to improve your chances of success. Your business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Home Health Care Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a home health care business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

The second most common form of funding for a home health care business is angel investors. Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding, or, like a bank, they will give you a loan.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How To Write a Business Plan For a Home Health Care Agency

If you want to start a home health care business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are the details of what to include in each section of your home health care business plan:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of home health care business you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a home health care business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of home health care businesses.

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the home health care industry. Discuss the type of home health care business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of home health care business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of home health care businesses:

• Nursing care business : this type of home health care business is the most common, where the patient is given a doctor-approved plan of care specific to the patient’s clinical needs and skilled nursing care are delivered within the comfort of their home.
• Physical home health care business : this type of home health care business provides physical therapy to patients who need help regaining their muscle and joint strength.
• Home health care aides : this type of home health care business provides patients with home health care aides who assist them with basic daily tasks, such as bathing, cooking, and dressing.

In addition to explaining the type of home health care business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of home health care patients, growth year over year, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? A Limited Liability Company (LLC)? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the home health care business.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the home health care industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section:

• How big is the health care industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your home healthcare business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your home care agency business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: parents of elderly individuals, senior citizens, senior community program managers, etc.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of home healthcare business you operate. Clearly, parents of elderly individuals would want different service options and would respond to different marketing promotions than senior community program managers, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most home health care agencies primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other home health care agencies.

Indirect competitors are other care options that people have that aren’t direct competitors. This includes hospitals, nursing homes, and people who help relatives with home health care needs. You need to mention such competition to show you understand that not everyone who needs healthcare assistance will utilize a home health care company.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other home health care businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be home health care businesses located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of patients do they help?
• What types of home health care services do they offer?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide affordable home health care services?
• Will you provide in-home services that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you make it easier or faster for customers to use your services?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a home health care business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of home health care business that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to home health care, will you provide superior customer service, 24/7 call centers, nursing services, or emergency services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the home healthcare services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your home health care business office. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your home health care business office operated remotely, located near a main highway, near public transportation, etc. Discuss how your location might provide a steady stream of customers.

Promotions : The final part of your home health care marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local websites
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your home health agency business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your business operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your home health care business, including hiring quality home care professionals, training employees, and administrative tasks.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to serve your 100th patient, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your facility or launch in a new location.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your home health care agency’s success, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing home health care businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing home health care companies or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you assist 50 patients per month or 100? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $100,000 on building out your home health care business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $100,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. For example, let’s say a local senior living community approached you with a $50,000 partnership contract to provide home health care services for their occupants. Let’s further assume the contract would cost you $50,000 to fulfill in terms of increased staffing costs. Well, in most cases, you would have to pay that $50,000 now for employee salaries, utilities, etc. But let’s say the company didn’t pay you for 180 days. During that 180-day period, you could run out of money.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a home health care business:

• Cost of equipment like standard nursing supplies, sanitary products, and emergency medications
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your Medicaid and Medicare certifications.  

Putting together a business plan for your home health care business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the example template above, by the time you are done, you will have an expert home health care business plan; download it to PDF to show banks and investors. You will really understand the home health care industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful home health care business.

Home Health Care Business Plan PDF

You can download our home health care business plan PDF to help you get started on your own business plan.

If you are looking for the quickest and easiest way to complete your business plan, Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template has numerous features not available in the free template including its financial projections template which automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Home Health Care business plan?

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How to Start a Home Healthcare Business

Tony Sekulich

14 min. read

Updated April 12, 2024

Free Download:  Sample Home Health Care Business Plan Template

Do you find yourself driven by both entrepreneurial and humanitarian interests? Is it important to you to build a business you can be proud of, knowing you are making a positive difference in people’s lives?

If any of this speaks to you, you could be an excellent candidate to start a home health care business. There’s never been a better time to do so— home health care is one of the largest growing industries , not just in North America, but around the globe.

What do we mean by “home health care”?

Home health care is a very broad industry which can mean different things to different people. For some, the term covers both skilled home health care as well as non-medical home health care.

Non-medical home health care  involves assistance with daily living activities most commonly for senior citizens who wish to remain in their homes. These services can include meal preparation, housekeeping, and transportation.

Skilled home health care,  on the other hand, involves nursing or therapeutic services delivered in the patient’s own home which would ordinarily be provided in a hospital or medical clinic.

This article is intended to serve as a step-by-step guide for anyone considering starting a skilled home health care business. For the purposes of this article, the focus will be limited to a business providing skilled home health care services, the most common of which are:

• Skilled nursing
• Nursing aide
• Social work
• Occupational, physical, and speech therapy

To supplement this guide, I interviewed an expert in the home health care field: Carol Byrne is the National Sales Director for  21st Century Health Care Consultants,  a consulting firm which serves home health care agencies throughout the United States.

The state of the home health care industry around the world: 

In the United States alone, the home health care industry is a $96 billion behemoth with no signs of slowing down.

The industry is projected to grow over 60 percent between 2023 and 2030, due in large part to an aging U.S. population. The population aged 65 years and older is  expected to nearly double  by 2050.

There are also societal and political factors at play including a growing acceptance among physicians of the practice of home care, as well as pressure to alleviate the demands placed on hospitals and an overall desire to find cost efficiencies in the health care system.

“In the last little while, there’s been a big uptick in the industry because of all the baby boomers flooding into the marketplace. People want to be in their homes, not in a nursing home. In-home care allows them stay in the home and have more independence in their daily lives,” explains Carol Byrne.

At present, there are more than half a million home health care businesses in the U.S., and the industry is projected to add over 700,000 jobs each year through 2031. This fast growth highlights the pros and the cons of wading into these waters. With a low barrier to entry and a growing demand, it is an appealing business for eager entrepreneurs. But because of this, there is often tough regional competition which will need to be planned for if a new venture is going to be successful.

To date, North America has  dominated the home health care global marketplace  due mainly to a more sophisticated health care infrastructure and more resources committed to research and development. In 2023, North America accounted for 42.6 percent of the global home health care revenue.

The trend toward home health care is just as strong across the northern border. The Royal Bank of Canada notes that a quarter-million Canadians are retiring each year, a more than 50 percent increase over the last 20 years.

While North America may be the current hotbed for home health care businesses, the fastest growing region is in Asia-Pacific. This is based on advancements in health care infrastructure in India and China, as well as a rapidly aging Japanese population.

• Things to consider before starting a home health care business:

While there is a tremendous growth opportunity in this industry, it’s not a business that is necessarily for everyone. The nature of the business lends itself to intense pressure and can create a high-stress environment.

Carol Byrne believes there is a specific personality type which is best suited to this type of work.“This industry draws people who are driven by compassion and desire to care for their fellow man. It’s a great industry and there is money to be made but you need that drive to help people. If you don’t have that compassion, this is not the business for you,” she says.

• Challenges in running a home health care business:

If as the business owner you are also going to be one of the key service providers, there are some unique challenges to providing home health care that should be weighed carefully before entering the field.

Long distance travel

The convenience of home health care is for the patient, not the caregiver.

Most home health care providers will see six to eight patients in a day; if the region is geographically large, that could mean lots of travel, which can cause stress and fatigue. If you are the type of person who finds travel stressful, this may be something to consider before launching a home health care business.

Technological upkeep and maintenance

One of the reasons home health care has become so prevalent in the last decade is thanks in large part to technological advances that have allowed high-tech equipment to be used in the home. Previously, this equipment was only accessible in a hospital or clinic.

However, because so much of modern home health care relies on high-tech equipment, keeping up with the latest technology and managing this equipment is something that a business owner will have to be comfortable with.

In other words, this is not the field to go into if you are a serious technophobe.

Working in isolation

A key advantage of providing health care in a hospital or clinic is that you have colleagues with whom to consult or otherwise ask for assistance. Home health care providers almost exclusively work on their own, without that support network around. This type of work environment is something that one would need to be comfortable with in order to do the job successfully.

If you’ve studied the industry at length, analyzed the market opportunity, considered the unique challenges, and are excited to move forward, the following steps can help you navigate this often tricky process.

• Step 1: Formulate your business plan

Home health care is unique in many ways, but the one thing it has in common with every other new business venture is that a lack of adequate planning and forecasting is a sure way to undercut its potential success. You’ll want to make sure you carefully plan out every detail of the logistics in getting the business off the ground and past the troublesome first couple of years.

Carol Byrne stresses the importance of business savvy in achieving long-term success. “It’s important to have clinical knowledge, but it’s just as important to have business sense, because at the end of the day it’s still a business and it must be run like a business to be effective at generating a profit. It requires a balance of skills.”

If you’ve never written a business plan before, you can find out more about the process here on Bplans. Start with  a one-page plan  if you’re eager to get up and running fast or if you’re simply interested in validating your idea. If you’re seeking funding, or would prefer to work through the finer details,  a traditional business plan  should work for you.

What to include in your business plan:

Regardless of the format you choose, there are some things you’ll need to keep in mind as you write. These include:

Equipment and starting expenses

Providing top quality home health care requires sophisticated and expensive medical equipment. You’ll require a detailed list of everything you need to hit the ground running.

That list of key starting expenses will include:

• Business development
• Rental expenses
• Office equipment
• Office supplies
• Nursing supplies

Financing and cash flow

Once you  compile your list of starting expenses,  you need a plan to raise the capital. The most traditional routes are  bank loans,   small business loans,  or  angel investors.  There may be  state level grants  geared toward emerging businesses in the health care field as well.

It is almost a given that your business will operate at a loss for the first three to six months while your client base grows and you get on a regular billing cycle with Medicare and Medicaid. This means a carefully thought out  cash flow management  plan is required to ensure you can get through these key first few months.

Additional resources to help you write the financial section of your plan:

• The Key Elements of the Financial Plan
• How to Fund Your Business: A Comprehensive Guide

Market research and your competitive landscape

The greatest weapon you can have in your arsenal when it comes to raising capital is a  bullet-proof analysis  that yours is a great local market for this type of business, and that you can serve a need currently unmet by competitors.

There is no question this is a growing industry on a national and global level; however, if your community is currently over-saturated with home health care businesses, you will have a hard time making it work.  

Also, a strong competitive analysis will help direct you with marketing and recruitment strategies when you identify where others have fallen short in their attempts to penetrate the market.

• Step 2: State and Medicare/Medicaid certification

In the United States, the first step in navigating the certification process involves completing your state’s home care license application and all of the required home care business license paperwork.

This includes  incorporating your business  and  obtaining a Tax ID  and  NPI  number for your home health care business. The home care license and operation requirements and standards will vary from state to state. The best way to make sure you have your bases covered is by contacting your State Department of Health for assistance.

Medicare Part A  (Hospital Insurance) and/or  Medicare Part B  (Medical Insurance) will cover a patient’s eligible home health services such as skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, occupational services, and others.

Unless you have an unorthodox business model, Medicare and Medicaid will be your primary source of revenue. It is critically important that your business obtains all the proper Medicare and Medicaid certifications.

Medicare accreditation:

To complete the process of Medicare accreditation, you must complete a three-day Medicare survey which is an audit of your business’s operations and patient clinical records. Carol Byrne cautions prospective business owners about the length this part of the journey can take.

“In the United States, it can take a year or longer to open a fully licensed and certified business. It can be a long path,” she says.

In order to be eligible for Medicare coverage for home care services, the patient must meet the following criteria:

• They must be under the care of a physician and receive the treatments as part of a treatment plan prescribed and reviewed by the physician
• Continued Occupational Therapy
• Speech-Language Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Intermittent Skilled Nursing Care (more than drawing blood)
• The home care business responsible for their care must be Medicare-certified
• The physician must determine that the patient is “homebound”
• The patient may not require more than part-time or intermittent nursing care

Some states will require a new home health care business owner to complete a state  jurisprudence exam  before granting a license to operate, so be sure to do additional research for your own state.

• Step 3: Staffing and management structure

Unlike most other businesses where your employees sell or facilitate your product, with a home health care business, your staff is your product.

The best way to retain clients and get referrals for others is to build your reputation of providing top-quality professional medical services in a personable manner. This means finding the absolute best of the best to work for your company and serve as the face of the company at the front line level.

“The most challenging part of this business is staffing,” says Carol Byrne. “Finding the right people is critical, because ultimately the person who walks into the home is your representative and they are the face of your business. Finding good staff is by far the greatest challenge a home care business will face.”

What kind of staff will you need?

If you are not a physician or medical professional yourself, your first hire will be a qualified clinical supervisor. It is a requirement of Medicare (and most states) that a physician or a registered nurse with more than one year of experience be in place as a clinical supervisor. The supervisor must be available as a resource at all times for the front line employees providing home health care services in patient homes. Most states also require a certified administrator be in place, although this position can be doubled by the clinical supervisor if that person is certified for both roles.

When it comes to the front line service providers, there are two routes you can explore. If you have the resources starting off, you can simply hire your staff and keep them in-house. This will require a significant cash infusion from the start as your salary demands will outweigh your revenue in the first months of operation.

The other option is to contract the work out to another agency or association of professional physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or skilled nurses. The most common approach is to specialize with one or two in-house professionals (skilled nurse and physiotherapist) and contract out the other fields on an as-needed basis.

Be sure to conduct a thorough background check for all hires. Your business could be liable for crippling legal action if it is discovered there was a problem with the treatment delivered by someone who had been sanctioned or suspended for similar malpractice issues in a previous job. It should go without saying that this is more important in this field than most.

• Step 4: Developing your marketing strategy

You’ve developed  a bulletproof business plan,  navigated the tricky process of state and Medicare certification, and have a top quality professional staff in place.

Now, the only question remaining is: “How do I get my first clients?”

This is where the home health care business starts to resemble many other businesses—success will depend on  effective marketing strategies  and some good, old-fashioned hustle.

Marketing strategies for home health care businesses:

The following are some of the most effective strategies for recruiting clients for a new home health care business:

• Set up a website:   Your client base may not be as internet-savvy as most; however, their family and loved ones will likely use the internet as the first place to find a qualified business.
• Reach out and network:  Contact local physicians, senior centers, long-term care facilities, hospital discharge social workers, and rehab outpatient centers to reach prospective clients.
• Set yourself apart:  Establish expertise credentials in certain areas of service to differentiate your business from your competition.
• Join local business groups or organizations:  Groups like your Chamber of Commerce or  The National Association for Home Care & Hospice  (NAHC) offer opportunities for agencies to reach home health care decision makers.
• Attend as many trade shows and events as possible:  Events like these give you an opportunity to meet with physicians, nurses, social workers, vendors of home health supplies, and the owners of related businesses who may have their own network of people in need of your services.

Dig deeper: How to write a home health care business plan

Below you’ll find a list of resources that can help you find out more about what goes into getting your home health care business off the ground.

21st Century Health Care Consultants: A consulting firm that specializes in assisting new home health business ventures in the United States. The website offers plenty of resources to help with questions of licensing, certification, staffing issues, and much more.

Home Care Association of America:   The Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) is the nation’s first association for providers of private duty home care, which includes non-medical home care services. The HCAOA is the recognized resource for information and definition of private duty home care practice.

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC):   A nonprofit organization that represents the nation’s 33,000 home care and hospice organizations. NAHC also advocates for the more than two million nurses, therapists, aides, and other caregivers employed by such organizations to provide in-home services to some 12 million Americans each year who are infirm, chronically ill, and disabled.

Canadian Home Care Association:   As a national association, the CHCA acts mostly as a professional development and political institution. It boasts an extensive resource library which could be helpful to new or prospective business owners.

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Tony has returned to his early love of journalistic writing by freelancing long form articles and blog posts. He is currently turning his TV series pilot for The New Twenty into his first novel. Tony lives in Toronto where he continues to be tormented by his beloved Maple Leafs.

Table of Contents

• What do we mean by “home health care”?
• The state of the home health care industry around the world: 

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