Why the Connecticut HCA License is a Hidden Opportunity — and How to Get It Right

 

Thinking about starting a home care business in Connecticut? You might have heard about all the red tape, slow Medicaid approvals, or confusing state rules. And while those things can be true, let’s not miss the big picture: there’s still a lot of opportunity for savvy entrepreneurs who know how to play the game.

Yes — Connecticut calls it a Homemaker Companion Agency (HCA), not a Home Care Agency. But this license gives you plenty of room to operate if you understand the rules, lean into private pay, and stay in your lane.

Want help getting licensed? Grab my Connecticut DIY Licensing Kit — it walks you step-by-step through the entire process, includes templates, and gets you up and running faster.

The HCA License: “Personal Care” Opportunity

The CT Homemaker-Companion Agency license allows you to provide non-medical services such as:

• Light housekeeping

• Laundry and linen care

• Meal prep and clean-up

• Grocery shopping and errands

• Help with dressing and hygiene (within scope)

• Safety supervision and fall prevention

• Accompanying clients on walks or outings

• Companionship and emotional support

So, if you want an example of what kind of care you can provide, here’s a sample scope of services description:

“We provide non-medical companion and homemaker services including assistance with daily living activities such as light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, grocery shopping, errands, personal hygiene support (assisting with bathing/showering within non-medical scope), transportation to appointments and recreational outings, social and engaging activities (conversation, walks, card games, puzzles), and supervision to promote safety at home.”

🚨 Important: Stay away from anything involving special diets, dementia or memory care, or administering medications unless you’re properly licensed as a home health or skilled nursing agency. DCP is watching closely.

 Private Pay Opportunity — and Realistic Revenue Math

 Let’s look at this realistically — and with clarity.

• ✅ Going billable rate: ~$33/hour for non-medical home care in Connecticut

• 💼 Average caregiver pay: $17–$20/hour depending on experience and market

• 🧮 Let’s say your very first client books 6 hours/day, 5 days/week:

  • 6 hours x $33 = $198/day

  • $198 x 5 days/week = $990/week

  • $990 x 4 weeks = $3,960/month gross revenue from ONE client

If your caregiver costs you $18/hour for the same schedule:

• $18 x 6 hours x 5 days = $540/week → $2,160/month

• That’s over $1,700/month gross margin before overhead, from just one client.

🔥 This is why private pay is your best bet in the early stages. Don't wait on government contracts to start building income.

Medicaid Waiver Programs in Connecticut

Yes, Connecticut does offer several Medicaid waivers — and they can be great long-term revenue sources. But the approval process is slow, often confusing, and sometimes downright discouraging.

Here are the main waiver programs to know:

1. CT Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE)
   For seniors (65+) needing help at home and meeting nursing home-level care.

2. Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Waiver
   For adults (18–64) with physical disabilities who need help with daily living tasks.

3. Individual and Family Support (IFS) Waiver
   For individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), starting as young as 3 years old.

4. Comprehensive Supports Waiver Also for adults with IDD, but with broader service needs.

5. Katie Beckett Waiver For medically fragile children (0–22) with long-term disabilities and hospital-level needs.

6. Mental Health Waiver
   For adults with serious mental illness needing ongoing support at home.

7. Autism Spectrum Services Waiver
   For individuals with autism who require home and community-based services.

Note: Most of these programs have waitlists or complex application processes. They’re not fast cash — but they can be worth it down the line.

🧠 Smart move? Start private pay → stabilize your business → layer in waivers later.

 Franchises + Market Activity in CT

Wondering if this model works in Connecticut? It absolutely does. Here are examples of national franchises with active presence or availability in CT:

• Comfort Keepers – multiple locations and still expanding.

• Executive Home Care – franchise territories open in CT.

• Right at Home – has done well in several CT markets.

💡 And yes — some independent home care agencies have been sold recently for six-figure and even seven-figure deals, especially those with strong private pay and waiver contracts.

When big brands are buying and selling in CT, it’s a signal: the business model works here, if you follow the rules and have a plan.

Final Thoughts: Be a Long-Hauler, Not a Fly-by-Nighter

Let’s be real — success in home care doesn’t happen overnight. Between state delays, documentation, and staff challenges, it’s easy to feel frustrated. But the CEOs who stay consistent, focused, and show up even when it’s hard are the ones who win.

🚨 Don’t get tired of showing up for your business. This industry rewards the long-haulers, not the fly-by-nighters.

👉 Ready to Start? Here's Your Next Step:

🎁 Download the Connecticut DIY Licensing Kit and get:

• Step-by-step instructions for registration

• Pre-written policy templates and forms

• Consumer brochure template and website checklist

• Tips for marketing and setting your private pay rates

• BONUS: Video walkthrough of application process

📥 Get the Kit Now