- Who handles it
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which licenses home health agencies
- What you file
- Seller's written notice of the change, and the buyer's application for a new license
- When
- The seller gives written notice at least 60 days before the change, and the buyer applies in step with it
Easy to miss: Leaving anything out about the new owners can lead to a denial. Disclose every owner and officer.
Why It Takes Time
Florida licenses health care providers through the Agency for Health Care Administration, known as AHCA. When ownership changes, the state wants to review the new owners before they care for patients.
That review is the longest step in most home health sales, and it drives the schedule more than negotiating price does.
The Seller's Notice
State law asks the seller to tell AHCA in writing at least 60 days before the date of the change. Start the clock as soon as the contract is signed. A late notice can lead to fines or a delayed closing.
Keep proof of the date you sent the notice and who received it.
The Buyer's Application
The buyer applies for its own license, since a license does not simply pass along to a new owner.
The application asks about every owner, officer and manager, including past ties to other health providers. Those details are checked against state and federal records.
In a notable Florida case, an appeals court upheld a denial because an application did not fully disclose a prior role. Complete answers are not optional.
Other Approvals to Line Up
- Medicare and Medicaid enrollment for the new owner
- Managed care contracts and payer credentialing
- Accreditation changes, if the agency holds one
- Insurance, workers' compensation and payroll accounts
Payer steps can run longer than the state license, so ask your attorney which ones need advance filings.
What Sellers Should Prepare
Gather survey reports, complaint files and billing audits so that buyers see problems from you first.
Keep patient records organized and confirm who will hold them after closing. Pay close attention to unemployment tax, as in the reemployment tax succession report.
Building a Closing Calendar
Work backward from the date you want to close. Give 60 days or more for the license steps, add time for payer enrollment and leave a few weeks for the unexpected.
Many agencies sign the purchase agreement early, then close only after the license is ready. The contract should say what happens to the price and the deposit if approval is denied.
Records and Patients
Decide before closing who keeps patient charts, how patients are told about the new owner and how care continues without a gap. Regulators and payers both expect a smooth handoff, and families notice quickly when nurses change.
Write the plan into the purchase agreement, with names and dates, so no one is guessing on the first Monday.
Sources and Advice
AHCA's website lists its health care licensing units and the rules for each provider type, and health care attorneys know the current forms.
This page is general information, not tax or legal advice, so confirm with your CPA or attorney. See also the home health valuation brief, then ask for a private estimate.