Florida's home health care agencies provide home care services, and they are licensed and regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration, or AHCA. Home health agencies must undergo strict evaluation and review prior to licensing, and they are subject to periodic, unannounced site visits by AHCA representatives. Doctors may recommend certain home health agencies to patients, but individuals have the right to choose their own home health providers. Home care services include skilled nursing services and related non-skilled services.
License
Any business that intends to offer nursing, physical, occupational, respiratory or speech therapy home services must apply to AHCA for license. Home health agencies must also be licensed to provide home health aide services, nutritional counseling and medication administration. Florida home health agencies are exempt from home medical equipment licensing.
Considerations
Applications include financial schedules, affidavit of compliance with background screening and health care licensing application addendum AHCA form 3110-1024, as applicable. They must also confirm proof of application or receipt of accreditation with approved entities, verification of home health agency zoning approval, proof of legal right to occupy office space or property, confirmation of sufficient funding arrangements and a business plan signed by the agency's owner. Other licensing requirements are located on the AHCA website. Florida's administrative code requires license application and operation within a single geographic service area.
Location
Home health agencies may not use a private resident as an office, and licensing requires evidence of zoning for a home health office. Agencies must have legal proof to occupy an office, and must provide separate spaces for administrative office staff and a secure area for file cabinets.
Staffing
Florida requires four administrative positions to establish a home health agency that offers nursing, therapy and other services, and the positions include an administrator, alternative administrator, director of nursing and financial officer. Agencies that only provide home health aide and homemaker services are not required to have a nursing director, however they must have a supervising nurse on staff. Home health agencies are not required to have an advising physician unless they provide Medicare and Medicaid services.
Complaints
Individuals may submit complaints against a Florida home health agency, or report legal violations, by contacting the AHCA complaint call center. All complaints will be investigated by AHCA.
Types of Services
Florida home health agencies may provide nursing care, physical, speech, occupational, respiratory and intravenous therapy services. They may also provide home health aides, homemakers, companions, medical equipment, nutritional counseling and health-related social services counseling.
Staff Qualifications
Skilled nursing services must be initiated by a physician and delivered by a licensed nurse who documents details of each home care visit. Nurses or licensed professionals must deliver other skilled services including physical, speech, occupational or respiratory therapy services. Florida residents can locate home health service providers at the Florida Health Finder website and the Department of Elder Affairs website.
