This short blog series is intended to help new entrepreneurs understand a little more about the licensure process with the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) in establishing your Florida long-term care business. We started by discussing why long-term care can be a new career for you. If you missed the initial blog, feel free to catch up by clicking here. The process encompasses many steps, which we’ll review briefly in this series.
The first rung on the licensing ladder is the application, which at first glance, seems straight-forward – after all, what’s so difficult about filling in your name, address, etc.? True enough but after 22 years completing AHCA and CMS applications, we can tell you they’re not cut & dried.
- Information must be 100% accurate and complete.
- Filling out the information isn’t the difficult part – it’s compiling all the supporting documentation, assuring that it matches application sections and addresses AHCA’s requirements.
- Financial schedules are part of the application process. For more information on this step, click here.
- Errors will cost you time and possibly money. AHCA will review your application and cite any omissions (including errors) in a separate document. You have one chance and a relatively short window of time to correct the issues and submit revised materials. If your “re-do” doesn’t pass, your application will be denied, you forfeit the licensure application fee paid and must start the process again.
Although our company’s turnkey, start-up process includes the application and all the steps through to final licensure and beyond, we’ve had clients attempt it themselves. Some are successful and others end up asking us to take over the process after some mis-steps. Making your future business a reality is what we do and we hope this short blog series helps in your decision.