Across the globe, people are living longer than ever before. By 2030, it’s estimated that one in every six people will be 60 years of age or older. In fact, as of 2020, the number of people 60 years and above surpassed the number of children younger than five.
Given the current trajectory, home health care will become increasingly crucial in the coming years. As a savvy entrepreneur considering your next investment, it’s important to understand the various options you have when exploring business opportunities in the health care space. If you are considering a venture and deciding between a medical vs. non-medical home health care business, here are some of the main differences between the two.
Overview of Medical Home Health Care
Ordered by a physician, medical home health care is provided by licensed professionals including registered nurses, physical therapists, or occupational therapists. Services may include physical therapy, medication management, vital sign and health monitoring, wound care and dressing changes, IV administration, and medical equipment assistance.
Offering this type of care does require you to follow strict regulatory requirements – which vary by state – that are put in place to keep you and your patients safe. You’ll need to obtain specific licenses and maintain compliance with local and federal regulations. Additionally, your staff must be certified and qualified to provide care to patients.
Fortunately, medical home health care is typically covered by insurance. However, working with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies can be tedious. You’ll need to understand the intricacies of the billing, documentation, and reimbursement processes to be properly compensated for the care you provide.
Defining Non-Medical Home Health Care
In contrast, non-medical home health care does not need to be prescribed by a doctor and can be provided by compassionate, highly-trained caregivers. Focusing on services such as companionship, light housekeeping, transportation to errands and appointments, plant and pet care, meal preparation, and daily hygiene tasks, non-medical care allows seniors and those with disabilities to remain safe and comfortable at home.
Unlike medical home health care, non-medical health care agencies don’t have to adhere to the same regulations, which makes it more accessible to entrepreneurs eager to help others. However, it’s important to understand that caregivers must still undergo training to ensure they are equipped to provide quality support. Covering topics like personal care techniques, safety protocols, and effective communication, this training prepares your staff to provide the highest-quality care.
A non-medical senior care business tends to rely on private pay clients, long-term care insurance and, in some cases, Medicaid waivers. Agencies provide direct billing for the care offered, often featuring flexible pricing options—such as hourly rates or flat fees—that accommodate various family budgets, ensuring their loved ones receive the necessary support without the financial strain.
Franchise with CareBuilders at Home
In the medical vs. non-medical home health care debate, the choice is clear. Non-medical home health care enables you to support individuals in your community without the burden of stringent state regulations or lengthy reimbursement procedures. Plus, when you partner with a reputable franchise like CareBuilders at Home, you get access to a proven business model, comprehensive training, ongoing support, and a network of like-minded business professionals to help you grow your business.
CareBuilders at Home provides next-level support to our franchisees. Complete with payroll, insurance, and tax assistance, our team will even handle billing and collections for our franchisees. We take care of the details so you can focus on what’s really important: providing exceptional care.
As a family-owned franchise, we believe it’s important to treat everyone like family, and that includes your caregivers. That’s why we provide medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k accounts (with matching), tuition reimbursement, life and accident insurance, and flexible scheduling – giving you a leg up when recruiting your dedicated team.
To learn more about why you should invest in a non-medical home health care franchise, contact us today, and a member of our team will be in touch.
