How To Start a Home Care Business in Wyoming in 2026

Why Wyoming ?

Wyoming is aging faster than the U.S. average: 19.2% of residents were 65+ in 2023. Rural distance, winter travel, and limited local facilities make in-home support essential — creating opportunity for high-quality agencies that keep people safely at home.

Need a head start? Get expert guidance and turnkey documents: book a licensing consultation or secure custom state-ready policies & procedures.

Pick your service model

• Skilled Home Health (licensed by HLS): Nursing, therapy, wound care, medication administration, and related clinical services. You must obtain a Home Health Agency license from the Wyoming Department of Health’s Healthcare Licensing & Surveys (HLS).
• Non-medical Personal Care / Homemaker (HCBS): Often funded through Wyoming Medicaid’s Home & Community-Based Services, especially the Community Choices Waiver (CCW), which covers services like personal support, respite, home health aide, and more. To bill Medicaid, agencies must meet program standards and maintain current agency licensure as applicable.

Practical tip: Many providers start with non-medical (HCBS/CCW) and add skilled home health later. Maintain separate policies, competencies, and QA tracking for each line of service.

Business formation & tax accounts

1. Choose entity & register with the Wyoming Secretary of State (e.g., LLC Certificate of Formation / Corporate Articles). Appoint a Wyoming registered agent.
2. Get your IRS EIN (free).
3. Sales & Use Tax license with the Department of Revenue via WYIFS; the state charges a $60 sales tax license fee.
4. Unemployment Insurance & Workers’ Compensation: register with the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). Wyoming is a monopolistic workers’ comp state — coverage is through the state fund.
5. Local permits/zoning as required by your city/county.

Pro resources: During formation, save time with ready-to-use documents: licensing consultation • custom P&P for any state licensure.

Wyoming HLS licensure — Home Health (skilled)

• Application: Submit the HLS Home Health Agency application with required documentation; pay the $100 license fee. Expect a survey/inspection for compliance.
• Typical documentation: Ownership and administrator information; policies (infection control, emergency operations, clinical care); staffing plans/credentials; QA/PI program; sample clinical records; staff background checks; readiness for initial survey.
• Renewal: Annual, with continued compliance and updated information as required.

Medicaid & HCBS (non-medical operations)

If you plan to serve waiver beneficiaries, enroll with Wyoming Medicaid HCBS (CCW). Covered services may include home health aide, personal support, respite, homemaker, case management, and related supports. Maintain agency licensure, staff qualifications, and waiver-specific training and documentation standards to remain payable.

Workforce compliance basics

• Hire per state/federal criteria: I-9, role-appropriate background checks, TB screening for direct care, professional credentials as applicable.
• Maintain workers’ compensation coverage (DWS) and track training/competencies aligned to each service line (skilled vs. non-medical).
• Document orientation, in-service education, supervisory visits, and competency validations in personnel files.

Marketing & referral development (Wyoming-specific)

• Rural care pathways: Build relationships with critical-access hospitals, discharge planners, rural health clinics, senior centers, and Area Agencies on Aging.
• Veteran referrals: Partner with VA Cheyenne Health Care System and VA Sheridan Health Care System plus their CBOCs for post-discharge support and respite coordination.
• Digital footprint: Prioritize local SEO for the towns/counties you can reliably staff in winter. Keep service pages, on-call contact, and payer participation (Medicaid HCBS, VA community care where applicable) clear and current.

Document packs: Ask during your licensing consultation about complete operational forms and handbooks for Wyoming agencies.

Free help

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers no-cost advising, market research, and lender-ready planning templates for startups statewide.

FAQs

Do non-medical home care providers need an HLS facility license?

Wyoming HLS licenses Home Health Agencies for skilled services. Non-medical providers serving Medicaid members typically participate through HCBS (e.g., CCW) and must meet Medicaid and program standards. Verify any additional HLS licensure requirements for your specific service scope before launch.

What’s the difference between non-medical home care and home health?

Non-medical home care focuses on activities of daily living and homemaker support, while home health includes skilled nursing and therapy under clinical oversight.

Where can I get expert help with Wyoming-specific documents?

You can book a licensing consultation for one-on-one guidance on Wyoming licensing, HCBS participation, and operations.