Become a Medicare Provider

Become a Medicare Provider

A federally funded health-care program, Medicare provides affordable health-care services to qualified U.S. residents. In addition to meeting certain requirements, Medicare recipients must also visit an approved physician or medical facility. These health-care providers in turn receive reimbursement for the services they provide. Although physicians must complete a lengthy application to become a Medicare provider, the process is relatively simple once you have the required documentation.

1. Review the Medicare guidelines. In addition to the federal regulations, each state also has its own regional policies. You should be aware of both. http://www.cms.gov/ 

2. Learn the differences between the types of Medicare policies. Generally, if you work in a nursing home or hospital, you'll need Part A Medicare, while private doctors and group practices will most likely require Part B Medicare. 

3. Obtain an NPI number. A requirement for any Medicare provider, this 10-digit number ensures Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) compliance. 

4. Contact the Medicare carrier in your area for a Medicare-provider application. As the point of contact for all Medicare issues, your carrier is also useful if you have any questions or concerns about the enrollment process. 

5. Complete the application in its entirety. You'll also need to include a copy of your drug-enforcement administration (DEA) certificate, IRS form W-9, Medicare provider letter and a copy of your state business license.

6. Review the terms of your Medicare certification. Before you become a provider, you must agree to a non-discrimination standard, maintain a valid business license and comply with all of the program's reimbursement terms. 

7. Mail copies of all your forms to your local Medicare carrier. It can take up to seven weeks to process your application.

Business Banking

Setting up a business account is a little different then a personal account. First you want to find a small business friendly bank. These are usually local banks and credit unions. Avoid the bigger backs as they have more fee and won't under some of the issues that new small business owner my face. You also want to create a relationship with the staff at the bank.

When setting up the actual accounts you will need a few different documents. Outside of you personal identification documentation you will also need your LLC documents and EIN number.

Also set up multiple checking and saving accounts for example; an account for monthly marketing, account for payroll, account for petty cash etc.

Note: When making any purchases in relation to your business, that can be gas to get to a client house, passing out material, lunch while your meeting someone etc. You want to be using your business cards. This will make doing taxes a lot easier at the end of the year.

Home Care Business Logo

Your logo is very important to your company's identity. It's the first impression a potential client will get. Your logo must communicate your company's values and intentions. You want to use inviting and soft colors and images that are comforting. There are different types of logos.

There are basically three kinds of logos. Font-based logos consist primarily of a type treatment. The logos of IBM, Microsoft and Sony, for instance, use type treatments with a twist that makes them distinctive. Then there are logos that literally illustrate what a company does, such as when a house-painting company uses an illustration of a brush in its logo. And finally, there are abstract graphic symbols-such as Nike's swoosh-that become linked to a company's brand.

Take your time and really think about it, this is a very important decision for your brand.

Note: Fiverr.com and Elance.com are great sites to find very good logo designers.

We have covered quite a bit of information at this point and we want to hear from you. Feel free to reply to this email with your questions and comments. Let us know if this is helpful to you and if there is anything else we can do to make it better. Remember we are here to ensure that you have all the tools and resources to become a successful home care business owner.