Not only must the pediatric provider deal with tight-fisted insurance companies and Medicaid funding cuts, but they and the equipment they provide must be endlessly adaptable to serve the constantly changing needs of pediatric clients. From creating sophisticated wheelchair and seating system solutions that can grow with a child to helping physicians implement new ways to monitor the lung function of pediatric patients from afar, the pediatric home health care providers we contacted for this section know how to combine flexibility with profitability.

“You have to always remember that you are creating something that is never exactly the same from one client to the next, because every child’s situation and needs are different,” explains pediatric rehabilitation and mobility equipment provider Paul D. Rice, CRTS, ATP, in the article “Committing to Kids” beginning on page 26.

And while the requirement to be flexible may drive away from the pediatric niche those who favor a simple, large-volume, one-size-fits-all formula for providing home health care products and services, it should not, says Terry Hull, CRT, RCP, in “Everyone Wins” starting on page 30. “You can do volume and still manage case by case,” he says.

So whether pediatrics is a big or small part of your business, we hope the examples of the successful pediatric companies in the following articles may provide you with ideas and solutions for your company.

Once you overcome the risks, the rewards of pediatric home health care cannot be beat.