How did you get into the industry?
FeldCare Connects is a family owned and operated business. CEO Randi Peled is passionate about helping others heal, and several years ago she saw a gap in home health care – that is the vital rehabilitation care that is vital to ensuring recovering patients regain their quality of life. While there are many competent speech, occupational, and physical therapists working in the United States, many are working in schools, hospitals, and clinics. The Peled team came up with the idea of connecting under-resourced home health agencies with PRN clinicians who can work as freelancers, outside of their existing job.
This model has worked so successfully that we now have multiple branches open across the United States, and are now offering franchise opportunities.
What’s New in the Business or in the Franchise Model?
FeldCare Connects has documented the processes required to become a connecting service between home health agencies and PTs, OTs, and SLPs who are qualified and willing to work on contract in the home health space. We have set up extensive training and support, provide a successful business model for the franchise to utilize, connect them with a recognized brand, and give the opportunity for franchisees to make an impact in their community.
Where do you See Opportunities or Challenges for the Franchise/Business Moving Forward?
The healthcare space is ever-growing, with those who qualify for home healthcare often underserved. This provides both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is recruiting qualified therapists who want to work on-contract. The opportunity is that the population of those who qualify for home health is growing, meaning that once a franchise is established, they have plenty of opportunities to connect home health agencies with PRN clinicians who are fully qualified to help rehab patients.
What is your Goal for the Business Moving Forward?
We would like to see new franchises utilizing our proven business model throughout all fifty states, with multiple locations in states that have multiple large cities like Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, we would love to see franchises that help those in rural areas improve access to in-home rehabilitation services.
As we have spent years working with our community at FeldCare Connects, we are excited to take this next step in providing franchisees with the opportunity to connect with their community and provide much-needed rehabilitation services.
Talk to us About the Feldcare Training and Support, How Do You Deliver?
We have an entire training system that we put in place and is available for all franchises. The consists of teaching new franchise owners the ins and outs of everything that makes up the Fledcare Franchise system including Human Resources, Home Health Therapist Training, Marketing, Finance, Intake, Assigning, Admissions, Care Coordinator training and much more. By the time a new franchise owner has completed the training program they will be fully ready to launch and open a FeldCare franchise business.
Define your FeldCare Franchise Model:
A. Training and Support Model?
We have a structured training program for new operators, which is a total of over 600 hours. The training is comprehensive and fully immersive. Ongoing, we will be heavily involved in all aspects of the business, supporting franchisees in every aspect of the operating business.
B. What is the Fee Structure?
There is a initial Franchise Fee of $50,000 and a ongoing Royalty Fee of 6% of Gross Sales.
C. Territory Definition?
The Territory is based on a minimum of 2 Million population or 400 Home Health Agencies, whichever is less.
D. Day in the life of a Franchisee?
Running a referral agency involves several key responsibilities. Here are some important aspects to consider for each area you mentioned:
- Follow-up with home health agencies: Maintaining strong relationships with home health agencies is crucial. Regularly communicate with them to understand their specific needs, ensure the referrals you send align with their capabilities, and address any concerns or issues that may arise.
- Marketing: Develop and implement effective marketing strategies to promote your referral agency. This could involve creating a website, utilizing social media platforms, attending industry events, and establishing relationships with healthcare professionals who may refer patients to your agency.
- Finance: Manage the financial aspects of your business, including budgeting, invoicing, and payment processing. Keep track of expenses and revenue, and ensure timely payments to the therapists and home health agencies you work with.
- Care coordination: Facilitate the coordination of care between the referring healthcare professionals, therapists, and home health agencies. This involves ensuring that the appropriate therapists are assigned to each patient based on their needs and preferences, and that all necessary paperwork and documentation are properly handled.
- Recruitment: Continuously recruit qualified PTs, OTs, and STs to meet the demands of the referrals you receive. Develop relationships with educational institutions, professional organizations, and online job boards to source potential candidates. Conduct interviews, verify credentials, and ensure that the therapists you hire meet the necessary qualifications and standards.
Remember to stay up to date with industry regulations and best practices to ensure compliance and provide high-quality services. Adapt your strategies and operations as needed to meet the evolving needs of healthcare providers, therapists, and patients.
Who is the Ideal Franchise Candidate?
Somebody who is a go-getter and entrepreneur. They must enjoy building relationships and be excited to create a new business. They don’t have to be a therapist, though having an understanding of home health and the rehab world will make it easier. We love working with people who are passionate about helping others and who share our mission, which is To connect compassionate, quality rehab therapists to home healthcare agencies, and make a difference for the better in the home health and hospice industries.
What Goals Do You Have for the Franchise Model in the Future?
We would love to see our franchises expanded to all fifty states, with franchises helping underserved populations in both large cities and rural areas.
For more information on the FeldCare Connects Franchise system, visit the corporate site:
https://feldcareconnects.com/franchise/