Is a Brightstar Care franchisee allowed to participate in programs funded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Health Administration (VA)?
Brightstar_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Your Franchise Agreement prohibits you from participating in Medicare or other governmental payor programs, with the exception of programs funded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Health Administration (VA). You may
participate in State Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver programs, as well as Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits personal care service programs, under certain conditions; however, you may not participate in Medicaid programs that require a Medicare number or require billing through Medicare, and you alone are responsible for complying with the state Medicaid requirements, which may include compliance with CMS policies and procedures and stand-alone technology required by the state or to meet the state's requirements. See Exhibits D and E for a summary of some of the applicable laws that may apply to your Agency. However, Exhibits D and E do not include all laws that may apply to your Agency. You should also be aware of pending legislation that may affect your Agency in the future.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Brightstar Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is permitted to participate in programs funded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Health Administration (VA). However, the Franchise Agreement prohibits participation in Medicare or other governmental payor programs, with the VA programs being the exception.
Brightstar Care franchisees can also participate in State Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver programs, as well as Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits personal care service programs, under certain conditions. However, franchisees may not participate in Medicaid programs that require a Medicare number or require billing through Medicare. It is the franchisee's sole responsibility to comply with state Medicaid requirements, which may include compliance with CMS policies and procedures and stand-alone technology required by the state or to meet the state's requirements.
Prospective franchisees should carefully review Exhibits D and E of the FDD, which summarize some of the applicable laws. However, these exhibits do not include all laws that may apply to the Brightstar Care Agency. Franchisees should also stay informed about any pending legislation that could affect their agency in the future.