The Benefits of a Non-Medical Home Care Franchise

In-home care services can provide either medical or non-medical services. Though both have their own unique benefits, there are distinct pros and cons for franchisors to be aware of. 

The main difference between a medical franchise versus a non-medical franchise involves the type of services being provided, according to Griswold Home Care COO Steve Turner. 

In a non-medical home care business, clients are treated by caregivers who provide hands-on services to help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and cooking, and who often stay with clients for longer visits. Medical franchises, however, hire nurses and therapists to provide short, medical visits. 

The Top Non-Medical Franchise Benefits 

One of the benefits of a medical franchise is that, in terms of staffing, you are able to put people to work for longer periods of time, Turner noted. “That is a huge advantage when there is a caregiver shortage. More services, less people.”

Additionally, non-medical franchisees can also recruit similar types of caregivers over and over, as opposed to having different types of medical practitioners, such as certified nurse assistants. 

Reimbursement is also a huge distinction: Who’s paying for the services? “Usually, on the medical side, a lot of those services are being paid through Medicare or commercial insurance, which is very complicated and cumbersome to manage as a franchisee,” said Turner. “Versus the non-medical side – private pay, non-medical insurance, VA hospitals, Medicaid. The players are a lot easier to manage.”

Overall, it is less financially burdensome to get into the non-medical business. The medical industry requires becoming Medicare-certified, which can double or triple the cost of starting the business, Turner added.

“Plus, medical business operations are much more complex,” said Turner. “Non-medical is a much easier way to get a business up and running. You can really get going fast in most markets. The compliance is very straightforward and, with a company like Griswold, we have everything in place already set for you — it makes it even easier.” 

The Downsides to a Medical Franchise

A major downside to a medical franchise is dealing with the federal government, Turner explained. “They can change reimbursement and lower reimbursement on a whim.”

Compliance is also a strain on medical businesses. “That can be a huge financial burden, especially for people getting a new business loan,” said Turner. “You have to worry about all the clinical burdens you have to meet …  it really distracts from growing a business.” 

Additionally, if you don’t already have experience in medicine, you have to hire someone who does to help operate the business. “That means hiring more employees at additional costs,” Turner added. 

The Ideal Non-Medical Franchisee

If you’re interested in franchising with a non-medical home care brand, such as Griswold, now is the time. Over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an even greater need for in-home care brands. That need has been further increased by a rapidly growing senior population in the United States. 

“The demand for non-medical care is growing every day because of the aging population as well, one of the very few industries that get bigger every day. That's incredibly unique,” said Turner. 

A 2022 Administration for Community Living report found that, in 2019, there were 54.1 million people aged 65 and up in the country, and that number is expected to exceed 80 million by 2040. 

So, who is a good fit for franchising in a non-medical setting? “It really looks like anybody who wants to be in the home care business,” Turner shared. “They can have experience, as a nurse, for instance, but you can also just be someone who has never been in a care-related the medical field before. Maybe you’ve been in real estate, or you’ve been a manager at a big business. All of those folks are just as valid, just as good owners for us.”

Franchise opportunities range from $95,850 to $174,100 including a $49,500 franchise fee. For more information about franchising with Griswold, please visit https://www.griswoldhomecare.com/franchising/investment-info/.