Private In-Home Care Startup FAQs

Q: What does Bag Related do?

A: Bag Related helps aspiring entrepreneurs start and operate Private In-Home Care agencies, Personal Care Homes and other related businesses. We provide done-for-you startup tools, including business planning guidance, state-specific documents, branding packages, and expert consulting to help you launch with confidence.

Q: What’s the difference between a Private In-Home Care business and a Personal Care Home?

A: A Private In-Home Care business sends caregivers to clients’ homes hospitals or assisted living facilities, while a Personal Care Home provides housing and care for residents in a licensed facility, usually a converted residential home. Both require licensing, but regulations and setup differ by state.

Q: Do you help in all states?

A: Yes! We support entrepreneurs across most U.S. states. Our team stays up to date with state-specific regulations, including licensing, policies and procedures, zoning, and documentation requirements.

STARTUP PROCESS FAQs

Q: What’s included in your startup package?

A: Our startup packages include:

State-specific policies & procedures

Customized business documents

Licensing application guidance

Branding (logo, website, marketing materials)

Business planning tools (including referrals to financial advisors)

Optional 1-on-1 consulting

Q: Do I need a medical background to open a care business?

A: No medical background is required to own the business. However, some states may require you to hire or contract a licensed nurse or administrator as part of your operational team.

Q: How long does it take to get licensed?

A: It varies by state, but most clients complete the setup and licensing process in 2 to 6 months, depending on readiness, state response times, and inspections.

DOCUMENTATION & COMPLIANCE FAQs

Q: Do you provide policies and procedures that meet state requirements?

A: Yes. We provide state-specific policy and procedure manuals that align with licensing regulations, including staffing, admission, care plans, medication management, and emergency preparedness.

Q: Can you help with inspection prep and compliance?

A: Absolutely. We guide you through what to expect during licensing inspections and help ensure your documentation, staffing, and operations are inspection ready.

FINANCIAL FAQs

Q: How much does it cost to start a care business?

A: Startup costs vary by state and business type. On average they are between $5,000–$15,000

Q: Who pays for the filing fees?

A: You, the client, are responsible for all state filing fees, business registration costs, and other government or third-party expenses. These are not included in Bag Related’s service fees, as they vary by state and license type.

Q: What does your fee include?

A: Our flat service fee includes:

Customized, state-specific policies and procedures

Step-by-step licensing application guidance

Business document templates (intake forms, client agreements, etc.)

Access to our startup checklist and onboarding support

Optional upgrades like branding (logo, website, marketing tools)

We handle the documentation and strategy — you handle the actual filings with your state agency.

Q: Apart from your fees, what other costs can I expect?

A: Here are common startup costs (not included in our pricing):

State license application fees ($100–$1,500+, varies by state)

Business registration or LLC filing fees

Background checks and fingerprinting

Insurance (liability, worker’s comp, etc.) – Not required in every State

CPR/First Aid training for staff (if required)

Office setup or home workspace upgrades

Inspections or zoning approvals

We’ll provide a budget template to help you plan for these costs based on your state and business type.

MARKETING & OPERATIONS FAQs

Q: Do you help with getting clients or staffing?

A: We provide marketing tools (branding, website, social media setup) to help you attract clients. While we don’t directly hire staff, we guide you on recruitment strategies and required HR documents.

Q: Do you offer ongoing support after startup?

A: Yes. We offer optional consulting packages for operations, compliance, marketing, and scaling your business as you grow.

BUSINESS STRUCTURE & OPERATIONS

Q: Do I need an office for a Private In-Home Care business, or can I operate from home?

A: In most states, you can operate a Private In-Home Care business from home, especially when starting out. However, you must have a dedicated workspace and meet any state-specific requirements related to secure storage of records, signage, or client access. Some states may require a physical office—Bag Related will guide you based on your location.

Q: Do I need any software when I’m starting?

A: While not always required at the beginning, we recommend starting with basic client management and scheduling software. As you grow, using a HIPAA-compliant system for documentation, billing, and communication becomes essential. We can provide recommendations for startup-friendly platforms.

TIMELINES & TURNAROUND

Q: What is the turnaround time?

A: For document delivery, our standard turnaround is 7 to 14 business days, depending on the scope of services. Licensing timelines vary by state but typically take 2 to 6 months, including application submission, review, and inspections.

 PAYMENT, BILLING & CERTIFICATION

Q: Do I need to be Medicaid certified?

A: No, Medicaid certification is not required to start your care business. You can begin with private pay clients, which are often simpler to manage. If you plan to accept Medicaid in the future, we can guide you through the certification process.

Q: How does one get paid in a Private In-Home Care or Personal Care Home business?

A: Most providers begin with private pay clients, collecting payments via check, card, or online invoicing. You may also work with long-term care insurance or VA benefits. With Medicaid certification, you can bill state programs directly. We’ll help you understand your options and set up a payment system.

POLICIES & SUPPORT

Q: What is your refund policy?

A: We have a fair refund policy which is available in our service contract. We are committed to your satisfaction and will work with you to resolve any issues or adjust when necessary.

Q: What happens if an application is returned by the state?

A: If your application is returned due to documentation or formatting issues, we’ll help you revise and resubmit at no additional charge. Our goal is to support you through to approval, and we anticipate many of these issues in advance to reduce delays.