How to Start a Speech Therapy Rehabilitation Business
It is estimated that approximately five percent of first-graders in the United States have a noticeable speech problem according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. With speech being an important part of communication, many children with speech impediments or other communication problems get discouraged when trying to talk with family members or peers. You can help these individuals overcome their speech problems by learning how to start a speech therapy rehabilitation business.
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Instructions
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Write a business plan. Create a plan for how to start and grow your speech therapy rehabilitation business by drafting a business plan that discusses financing, marketing and staffing. Determine what speech therapy needs exist in your community by conducting an analysis of your competition as well as the general population in your area. This will be useful later when marketing your business and getting clients since you can target underserved populations.
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Register your business. Obtain your license as a speech therapist from the professional licensing division in your state. For most states this requires earning a master's degree and receiving passing scores on the national speech-language pathology exam. Visit city hall to get a local business license, and register your business on the federal level by obtaining an employer identification number from the Internal Revenue Service.
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Seek out a facility. Contact a commercial real estate agent to get assistance in finding an office or commercial space to house your speech therapy rehabilitation business. Determine in advance whether you want to rent or buy the facility by weighing the pros and cons of each option. Make sure the space you choose has a room large enough to hold treatment sessions with clients as well as office space where records and personal information can be securely stored.
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Arrange for insurance. Find out who the prominent insurance companies are in your city or surrounding area. Call them to speak with a representative who works solely with providers such as doctors and therapists. Obtain the paperwork you need to become an approved provider with the insurance company and get trained in how to properly submit insurance claims.
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Employ staff. Hire a receptionist or administrative assistant to help you manage phone calls, scheduling, billing and other office functions, since as a speech therapist you may often be in meetings and sessions with clients. Add additional speech therapists to your business as the demand for services grows. When hiring, double check with the state licensing board to ensure the person you want to hire has a license in good standing from the state as a speech therapist.
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Promote your business. Advertise your services to the general public through the Internet, television, radio and newspaper. Network with pediatricians and personal physicians who cater to children and seniors, since speech therapy services are sometimes required for children as they learn to talk as well as older individuals after they experience a stroke. Develop contracts with schools, nursing homes, hospitals and other organizations that may need the services of a speech therapist but are unable to employ one full time.
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