Florida Home Health Agency Hit Medicare Certification in 9 Months

The challenge

An RN with 15 years of hospital experience wanted to launch a Medicare-certified Home Health Agency in Tampa. She had clinical expertise but no compliance program, no accreditation pathway, and no understanding of the 3-patient survey rule.

Our approach

• Drafted a complete Conditions of Participation policy and procedure manual covering all 484 series CoPs.
• Coordinated AHCA Home Health Agency license application and bonding requirements.
• Selected ACHC accreditation pathway and prepared the agency for survey.
• Filed CMS Form 855A with capitalization proof and ownership disclosure.
• Managed the 3-patient onboarding to meet the 7 completed skilled visit minimum.
• Quarterbacked the ACHC on-site survey — zero condition-level deficiencies.

The outcome

AHCA license issued in 105 days. ACHC accreditation granted in 220 days. CMS CCN issued at month 9. Agency was billing Medicare by month 10 and reached 45 patients on service by month 14.