Start Up Consulting
Starting an ABA practice takes more than just clinical expertise, it requires a solid business structure, a compliant setup, and a clear roadmap for growth. At Helping Hands Training & Consulting, we guide new and aspiring ABA providers through every step of launching their business the right way, from formation and licensing to payor readiness and compliance documentation.
Who This Is For
This consulting service is designed for solo BCBAs transitioning into group practice, new ABA business owners, and entrepreneurs entering the behavioral health field who want to start their practice on the right foot. Whether you’re opening a home-based, mobile, or center-based agency, we’ll help you set up your business, licensing, and compliance processes so you can operate legally and scale with confidence.
What’s Included
Business Formation & Ownership Structure
We’ll discuss the best legal and business structures for your ABA practice, such as LLCs, corporations, or partnerships, and how ownership percentages can affect AHCA licensing, Medicaid compliance, and future scalability. You’ll learn which entity type best supports your long-term goals, tax considerations, and potential growth into a multi-provider or multi-location practice.
Licensing Options: Health Care Clinic vs. Exemption
Our consultants will walk you through Florida’s Health Care Clinic (HCC) licensing and exemption requirements under AHCA, helping you determine which category your business falls under. We’ll review ownership qualifications, applicable forms, and how your chosen structure impacts compliance with both state and Medicaid regulations.
Payor Readiness & Network Strategy
We’ll help you identify which payors to apply with first based on your practice model, geographic location, and network availability. You’ll understand how to strategically build your credentialing timeline, starting with Medicaid Managed Care plans like Sunshine Health, Simply, and Molina, and progressing to commercial networks such as Aetna, Cigna (Evernorth), Optum (UnitedHealthcare), and Lucet (Florida Blue).
Compliance Documentation & Business Registrations
We guide you through the essential documents and registrations required to remain compliant as a healthcare business. This includes maintaining your Sunbiz active status, renewing your county and city business tax receipts, securing liability insurance, completing E-Verify registration, and understanding other regulatory obligations such as background screening and NPI updates.
Operational Setup & Scalability Planning
We’ll help you map out your administrative and billing systems, from benefits verification and authorization workflows to claim submission readiness. You’ll also learn how to structure your operations to accommodate future staff growth and service expansion while maintaining Medicaid and payor compliance.