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To Start or Not to Start: A Doctor’s Dilemma in the Healthcare Labyrinth

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To Start or Not to Start: A Doctor’s Dilemma in the Healthcare Labyrinth

The labyrinth of healthcare can be a maze of frustration for many physicians. There comes a point in the career of some doctors where the systemic constraints, bureaucracy, and sometimes even ethical quandaries of institutional medicine prompt a serious question: should I start my own medical practice? It’s not just about pursuing the dream of independence; it’s a vision of healthcare that aligns with the Hippocratic Oath, the doctor’s conscience, and the community’s health needs. In this blog post, we’ll explore the considerations that doctors must assess when contemplating the leap into entrepreneurship and the potential pathways to success.

1. The Call for Change

The genesis of considering private practice often emerges from deep-seated dissatisfaction with the status quo of healthcare. Policies affecting physician autonomy, reduced face-time with patients due to administrative tasks, and the increasing pressure to ‘do more with less’ are common grievances that lead some physicians to take a stand or seek alternative paths.

The Current State of Healthcare

  • Assessing the challenges within the existing healthcare system such as insurance complexities, high overhead, and cumbersome EHR systems.
  • Understanding the impact of regulatory burdens on clinical decision-making and patient care.

The Power of Dissatisfaction

  • Reflecting on the aspects of institutional medicine that no longer align with personal or professional values.
  • Sharing anecdotes of when red tape impeded the provision of timely treatment and care to patients.

2. Counting the Cost

Starting a medical practice is not just a professional decision; it is a financial and personal commitment that requires deep reflection on the trade-offs involved. From patient load and potential earnings to work-life balance and risk mitigation, preparing a thorough assessment of these costs is critical.

Financial Feasibility

  • Breaking down the set-up costs of a new medical practice, including real estate, equipment, and staff.
  • Discussing the complexities of billing, insurance, and overhead in a private practice model.

Return on Independence

  • Weighing the potential benefits of increased control over patient care, practice management, and earnings.
  • Delving into the potential for broader impact on patient health and community wellness through an independent practice.

3. The Entrepreneurial Mindset

Transitioning from a purely clinical role to the multifaceted one of a physician-entrepreneur requires a shift in mindset. It demands a willingness to engage with business concepts, from marketing and finance to legal and HR considerations.

Preparing to be a Business Owner

  • Evaluating the need for a business advisor/consultant.
  • Recognizing the importance of branding, marketing, and patient experience in a private practice.

Putting Patients First

  • Discussing strategies for maintaining a patient-centric focus in a private practice environment.
  • Exploring the potential for more innovative and personalized care delivery models in an independent setting.

4. Overcoming Adversity

The entrepreneurial path is rarely without its hardships, and for physicians starting a private practice, this journey can be particularly fraught. Navigating regulatory hurdles, dealing with unexpected challenges, and weathering the uncertainties of self-employment are all part of the process.

Regulatory Resilience

  • Gaining insight on how to stay informed and compliant with the myriad of healthcare laws and regulations.
  • Understanding the importance of building a strong network of legal and financial advisors.

Acknowledging Risk

  • Exploring risk management strategies and the role of insurance in a private medical practice.
  • Addressing the fear of failure and the psychological toll it can take on a physician-entrepreneur.

5. Community and Collaboration

Building a successful medical practice doesn’t happen in isolation. Engaging with the community and forming partnerships with other healthcare providers can multiply the impact and reach of a new practice.

Strengthening Ties

  • Fostering relationships with local community organizations, patient advocacy groups, and other healthcare professionals.
  • Exploring collaborative care models and the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach in private practice.

Leveraging Technology

  • Harnessing the power of digital health solutions to enhance patient engagement, streamline operations, and improve outcomes.
  • Discussing the opportunities presented by telemedicine and other virtual care platforms in a modern medical practice.

6. Ethical Considerations

The prospect of starting a private practice raises ethical questions for many physicians. How can one maintain ethical practice in a for-profit environment? How can patient trust be preserved in the face of financial interests?

The Hippocratic Ethos

  • Revisiting the Hippocratic Oath and its relevance to contemporary medical entrepreneurship.
  • Developing a clear set of ethical principles to guide decision-making in a private practice.

Transparency and Trust

  • Establishing clear communication with patients about the financial aspects of their care.
  • Exploring pricing models that foster transparency and trust, such as direct primary care or concierge medicine.

7. The Path to Patient-Centered Care

Ultimately, the decision to start a private practice should be driven by a commitment to delivering the highest standard of patient care. This section will explore how an independent model can offer more opportunities to put the patient at the center of the healthcare experience.

Reducing Administrative Burdens

  • Implementing systems and processes that minimize paperwork and maximize face-time with patients.
  • Examining the potential for increased patient comfort and satisfaction in a private, unencumbered practice environment.

Innovating for Better Outcomes

  • Highlighting the role of innovation in addressing patient needs and improving health outcomes.
  • Reviewing examples of successful private practices that have introduced novel care delivery methods or treatment options.

8. Learning from Experience

The best way to prepare for the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a private practice is to learn from those who have gone before.

Case Studies

  • Talking with physicians who have transitioned to private practice and the lessons they’ve learned.
  • Learning about the variety of practice types, including small independent clinics, specialty centers, and concierge services.

Mentorship and Networking

  • Understanding the value of mentorship and the power of professional networks in the entrepreneurial process.
  • Seek out and learn from the experiences of established physician-entrepreneurs.

9. The Future of Independent Medicine

Looking ahead, what does the future hold for independent medical practices? How can they thrive in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape? Anticipating future trends and preparing to adapt will be crucial for the longevity of any practice.

Predicting Healthcare Trends

  • Discussing the potential impact of policy changes, technological advancements, and shifts in patient expectations on independent practices.
  • Identifying emerging areas of opportunity, such as personalized medicine or holistic approaches to health.

Sustainability and Growth

  • Reviewing strategies for sustainable growth in a private practice, including expansion, succession planning, and development of ancillary services.
  • Considering the potential for independent practices to lead in areas of healthcare innovation.

10. Making the Decision

Finally, we circle back to the pivotal question: should you start your own practice? Armed with the insights and perspectives covered in this blog post, you’ll be better equipped to weigh the pros and cons, understand the challenges, and envision the benefits of such a venture.

The Personal Reflection

  • Conduct a deep self-assessment and consider your motivations, values, and aspirations.
  • Possess a decision-making framework that takes into account professional, financial, and personal factors.

Taking the Plunge

  • Review a step-by-step guide to the process of starting a medical practice, from business planning to patient outreach.
  • Addressing common fears and doubts.

Starting a medical practice is not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires vision, courage, and a commitment to the highest ideals of medicine. By engaging with the considerations outlined in this blog post and learning from the experiences of others, physicians can chart a course that leads not only to professional fulfillment but also to positive change in healthcare delivery.

Considering taking the leap but require assistance? We’re here to help! As your medical practice startup consultants, we offer comprehensive turnkey solutions. Eager to begin? Reach out to us for a complimentary consultation today!

How to Open a Medical Practice

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Medical Practice Startup

Starting your own medical practice can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, but it also requires careful planning and execution. Here are a few things to consider in order to successfully open a medical practice:

1. Setup Legal Entity

Each state has their own laws on what is required with respect to the type of legal entity required for a medical practice. Additionally, these laws also specify who can legally own a practice.

2. Choose a Location

Select a convenient and accessible location for your practice. Consider factors like demographics, competition, zoning laws, and the availability of necessary infrastructure and resources, as well as whether you intend to own or lease the space.

3. Complete Payor Credentialing

Research what the insurance companies require for credentialing. Complete and submit required applications well in advance of opening. Approval can take up to 6 months!

4. Set Up Your Finances

Determine your startup costs, secure funding through investors or loans, and establish business banking and accounting systems. Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage as well.

5. Hire and Train Your Team

Recruit qualified medical and administrative staff to support the day-to-day operations of your practice. Provide comprehensive training to ensure a smooth patient experience.

6. Invest in the Right Equipment and Technology

Equip your practice with the necessary medical equipment, supplies, and technology to deliver high-quality care and streamline your operations.

7. Develop Policies and Procedures

Establish clear policies and procedures for patient intake, appointment scheduling, billing, record-keeping, and other essential functions.

8. Market Your Practice

Develop a comprehensive marketing plan to attract new patients and build your brand. This may include a website, social media presence, local advertising, and community outreach.

9. Choose an EMR and Billing System

Implement a billing system to ensure that you can accurately bill patients and insurance companies for your services. This may involve hiring a billing specialist or using a third-party billing service. Choose an EMR that is right for you.

10. Continuously Improve and Adapt

Monitor your practice’s performance, gather patient feedback, and make adjustments as needed to optimize your operations and better serve your patients.

Opening a medical practice requires a significant investment of time, effort, and resources, but with careful planning and execution, you can build a thriving and successful healthcare business.

Does it feel a bit overwhelming? Looking for a startup medical practice consultant? We provide a turnkey solution for all your startup needs. Having experience opening multiple practices across various states and specialties, let us help you! We have established relationships with each of the vendors needed above.

Need help after opening? We can assist with that, too! Whether you need us to manage the entire back-office or just provide medical billing, we can help!

Interested in learning more? On our website, you can schedule a FREE consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!

Private Practice Finds New Hope with Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting

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LEROY, NY —Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting and Management is bringing private practice back for doctors across the country. The consulting firm provides a comprehensive solution to help physicians open and operate successful private practices.

After years of declining private practice numbers, Cornerstone aims to revive this model of care. The company currently has a presence in 17 states, managing all aspects of private practice operations. This allows doctors to focus on patient care rather than administrative burdens.

“We believe private practice provides the best care experience for both doctors and patients,” said Melissa (Missy) Starowitz, Owner of Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting. “Our goal is to make private practice a viable and rewarding choice once again.”

In 2023 alone, Cornerstone supported numerous new practice openings. The company has an ambitious expansion plan for 2024, with many more private practices in the pipeline across several new states.

“The response from doctors has been tremendous,” Starowitz said. “We provide everything needed to run an independent practice, from finding office space to hiring staff to managing billing. Doctors can finally practice medicine on their terms.”

Cornerstone’s unique model offers hope for the future of private practice in America. As the company empowers more physicians to open their own clinics, it’s bringing personalized care back to communities nationwide.

About Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting and Management

Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting is a physician-centric company with the experience, expertise, and resources to assist physicians in many aspects of their professional lives. They offer an array of services for individual physicians or entire practices including marketing and branding needs, sustainable organizational change, and opening new practices. For more information visit their website at cornerstonehealthcareconsulting.com

Contact

Cornerstone: Melissa (Missy) Starowitz, mstarowitz@cm-hi.com, 585.409.7624

Private Practice Finds New Hope With Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting

Buyout Should Be a Future Plan, Not an Emergency!

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It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is in a state of flux. Many things have led to changes in the way doctors and hospitals do business, and those changes are only going to become more widespread in the coming years. For many physicians, this means that now is the time to start thinking about buyout as a future plan, rather than an emergency measure. In the video embedded below, we’ll explore why buyout should be a key part of your long-term career strategy, and we’ll offer some tips on how to make it happen. So read on – your future may

depend on it!

Succession planning should not become a contentious debate among physician partners; however, at Cornerstone, we have frequently witnessed this happen with multiple medical practices. Sadly, the topic typically goes years of never being discussed, to suddenly coming up because of situations that require emergency planning, and/or junior partners possessing a feeling of being treated unfairly. With respect to the latter, don’t even think about joining a medical practice as a partner unless you’ve had the tough questions answered first. For example, ask about call schedule requirements, how money is dispersed, what happens when a partner begins to plan to retire, such as an OBGYN who discontinues doing OB, etc. Once your questions are answered to your satisfaction, then make sure they are in writing before you sign.

A part of the succession planning discussion should be physician partner buyouts, and how to plan for that. A buyout is not always the result of retirement. The discussion should also be focused on a partner becoming disabled, as well as if the need arose to terminate a partner prior to retirement. When it comes to buyout, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The first step is to sit down with your partners and hash out the details. In the video embedded below, we sat with Jim Ginnane and Alex Heringer from Planned Futures Financial to ask them a few questions for how to prepare for buyout. Here are the questions we asked them:

  1. At what point should the owners start exit planning?
  2. What are the different types of buy/sell agreements?
  3. What do you do when the potential successor (s) don’t have sufficient money to buy you out?
  4. What are the usual funding vehicles for buy/sell agreements?

As you can see, succession planning is important for any medical practice. By taking the time to develop a plan and put measures in place to ensure a smooth transition, your practice can survive – even thrive – after you retire or move on. If you are preparing for a buyout, make sure you work with an experienced team of advisors who can help guide you through the process and minimize disruptions to patient care. Want more tips like this? Check out our blog page! Need some guidance? Schedule a consultation today!

Buyout Should Be a Future Plan, Not an Emergency

Reduce Medical Practice Expenses

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Medical Practice Expenses

Are you struggling to keep your medical practice financially stable? Searching for effective ways to cut costs and boost your bottom line? You’re not alone. In this post, we’ll share our proven strategies to reduce medical practice expenses—including how we helped one practice save an impressive $260,000!

A frequent concern among physicians is the frustrating reality of working harder while earning less. On one hand, declining reimbursements and relentless claim denials from insurance companies are well-known challenges. But what about the other side of the equation? Have you taken a closer look at your practice’s spending—where the money is going and how it’s being used?

When Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting and Management evaluates your practice, one of the first items we request is a detailed expense report from the past 12 months. This report provides valuable insights into areas where you may be overspending, allowing us to identify quick wins for cost savings.

For instance, we prioritize analyzing your medical supply and medical waste expenses. In the case of medical waste, one vendor in particular has a reputation for overcharging medical practices. By addressing this issue, we have helped clients save thousands of dollars on waste management alone.

To illustrate, here’s an example from a former client with two locations. Their original vendor was significantly overcharging for waste services, but after switching to a new vendor, they achieved substantial savings. The comparison below highlights the costs under the previous vendor versus the current one, along with the total savings realized.

This case represented significant cost savings for the client, and while it might seem like an isolated incident, it was far from unique. Time and again, when we encounter this particular vendor, it’s clear the client is overpaying. Many medical practices are simply unaware that alternatives exist. Even when they suspect other vendors might be available, they often have no idea where to begin their search.

Compounding the issue, clients frequently find themselves locked into restrictive contracts, believing there’s no way out. This vendor has even faced a lawsuit in New York for breaching contractual law by failing to notify clients within the required 60 days that their contracts were set to renew. As a result, many practices were unknowingly locked into extended agreements at inflated rates. Thankfully, the lawsuit was resolved in favor of the clients, setting a precedent we’ve successfully used to help other clients break free from these contracts.

We always take a close look at the vendors practices use for their medical supplies, as some are notorious for overcharging. We recommend a preferred medical supply vendor that many physicians aren’t even aware of. In every instance we’ve worked with them, they’ve saved our clients over 20% on supply costs. In some cases, simply switching to this vendor has prompted the previous supplier to suddenly match those lower prices—proof that they were charging more than necessary all along. The problem is, if no one is monitoring year-over-year price increases or exploring alternative vendors, these overcharges go unnoticed, allowing suppliers to continue inflating costs.

Employee benefits present another significant opportunity for cost savings. As highlighted in our previous blog, The One-Stop Shop for Doctors, both retirement and health plans often require careful review and updates. Within the Cornerstone Network, we collaborate with trusted professionals who consistently deliver exceptional results for our clients.

For retirement planning, as well as life and disability insurance, we rely on Planned Futures Financial. Specializing in the medical industry, they’ve proven to be a valuable partner. In one notable case, they saved a client over $40,000 by reducing retirement plan expenses, lowering group disability insurance costs, and eliminating TPA fees.

For health insurance, Azeros Health Plans is our go-to solution. Co-owners Ron Zoeller and Kevin Gannon bring years of experience from running their own companies before founding Azeros together. Beyond optimizing health plans, we also work closely with Azeros on Direct Primary Care initiatives, further streamlining healthcare costs for our clients.

By leveraging these strategic partnerships, we help ensure our clients maximize savings while maintaining top-tier benefits for their teams.

Our primary goal is to help you save money, but we also believe in ensuring you have the right resources to run your practice effectively. If that means recommending a new vendor that might cost a bit more but provides the coverage you truly need, we won’t hesitate to do so. One example of this is your business insurance.

We work closely with Steinmiller Insurance, specialists in medical practice coverage. They have a deep understanding of HIPAA regulations and the critical importance of data protection. When reviewing your current insurance, they may be able to match your coverage and save you money. However, they might also identify gaps in your coverage and recommend adding essential protections. While this could increase costs slightly, it could save you from much larger risks down the road.

When analyzing your expenses, we go beyond just targeting the obvious or the biggest costs. Our approach is comprehensive—we meticulously review every detail, big or small. Beyond providing recommendations, we actively assist in implementing them. From expense analysis and vendor negotiations to executing changes, we’re with you every step of the way. Our experience spans everything from inventory audits and installing new phone systems to transitioning from server-based EMR to cloud-based solutions.

As insurance reimbursements continue to decline, reducing expenses has become a top priority for medical practices. Let us help you streamline your operations and cut costs. Schedule a consultation today, and let’s get started!

Medical Practice Marketing – Getting Started!

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As a physician, you are among the brightest individuals in the country! You have survived years of rigorous schooling and training, learning words most of us cannot even pronounce. But this new era of marketing has got you scratching your head in confusion. From social media to google reviews, and beyond, you don’t even know where to start. Good news! That’s where we come in!

As fellow healthcare professionals, we understand all that you are up against. In addition to providing marketing, we are working with physicians to help them sustain their medical practices; also, we are opening new medical practices, providing practice management support and more. Who better to be the voice for physicians than a company who is living in their world, slaying the same giants? Commonly, physicians will say things such as, “I don’t understand this social media stuff”; or “We never had to worry about marketing until now, we just worked really hard providing great care, and the patients followed”. That was the era prior to Google ads, social media, and private equity backed medical groups. Let’s talk about what that all means.

As a minimum, practices need a decent website, and a social media presence. That’s assuming you have a practice name and are not just using your legal name. It may sound silly to say that, but we had a client who never had a name beyond their legal name that used their last names. They sounded more like an accounting or law firm. Prior to retaining Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting, they retained a well-known, expensive marketing agency, with the intention of identifying a name and a brand. That consulting agency charged them $15,000 but never provided them a name they liked. So, the marketing agency made out quite nicely, and the practice walked away with $15,000 less in their bank and no name. When Cornerstone came on board, we ran a contest among the staff, allowing them to propose a name they thought the practice should adopt. Upon review of the staff suggestions, they ended up selecting one of them as the new practice name, without paying $15,000. From there, we were able to coordinate the design of a practice logo, website, social media, and more.

Most of the time, physicians recognize the need for a good website. They realize a website is the present-day version of the yellow pages. However, they don’t always grasp the importance of social media. Why is social media important? This is where potential patients are! When patients need a new physician, the first places they are likely going to are Google, and possibly Facebook. On Google they are checking out your reviews, and on Facebook, they are reviewing your photos to get a sense of who you are, what the environment is like, etc. Beyond that, content is king! While we are all looking for the quick easy fix to increase our website search engine optimization (SEO), it is often the same laundry list of tasks that need to be done to be successful in that endeavor, with one of the items on the list being content creation.

It’s not just potential patients who are reviewing your social media accounts, but also potential employees. Like potential patients, potential employees are checking out your Facebook pictures, attempting to gain a sense of what the environment is like, if the staff look friendly, etc. The social media pages can say a lot about the practice. One of the ways Cornerstone seeks to be different, is we shy away from boring “corporate-like” posts that have the look of desperation for just putting content out. We take pride in being personable, promoting the physicians and staff, and the amazing things they are doing. Also, because of our healthcare background, we actually have some knowledge for what we are promoting. This is especially useful when generating blogs, and how certain topics may create more patient questions than answers. Understanding the practice operations significantly helps as well. It allows us to consider how the marketing will impact the staff answering the phones, and other practice logistics. And let’s not forget about HIPAA! Yes, we are well informed of those laws, abiding by them regarding patient photos, information, etc. Working with a marketing agency that does not understand these laws can leave a practice vulnerable.

 We understand it is a big jump for most practices to agree to launch social media pages. The big question they often have is which pages are needed to get started. There are many ways to answer this question, such as based on specialty, target market, etc. First and foremost, a Google Business page is a necessity. If you want to keep it simple, a Facebook page is a great start. If your practice isn’t quite ready to spend the money on a marketing agency, there are lots of resources that are easy to use, and either very affordable, or even free. A few examples of these resources are as follows:

Canva – Allows you to create attractive content. There is both a free version, as well as a very affordable Pro version. There are already custom sized templates available per the size requirements of the social media platform you are posting on.

InShot and CapCut – Video editing apps for your phone that are very easy to navigate. CapCut even has a shortcut version that designs videos using the content you populate it with. Like Canva, they offer both a free version, as well as very affordable pro versions.

Hootsuite – Looking for efficiency, with the ability to post the same content across multiple platforms? Hootsuite is a great option. The free version allows you to add up to three of your social media platforms.

Later.com – When browsing Instagram, you may have seen the Link in Bio feature. To add this feature, you can do so for free on Later.com. Like Hootsuite, you can schedule and publish social media posts from this one location. Their free version offers up to 15 social media platforms.

MailChimp – In need of something to help you with email marketing? MailChimp provides a free version that allows you to have up to 2,000 contacts.  

Many of the above resources can integrate with other programs. MailChimp, for example, can integrate with Facebook, as well as Survey Monkey, who you may be using for your patient satisfaction surveys. If that all still sounds way too confusing, and you just want to outsource your marketing, give Cornerstone a call! We will work with you on a plan that complements your practice in all the best ways possible, including affordability.

Lastly, once medical practices make the decision to develop a marketing program, they tend to get a bit overzealous and want us to dive into everything immediately. While we love and respect your enthusiasm, you will hear us recite the need to first form a foundation for which we can build from. Marketing isn’t the only service we recite the need for a foundation. In fact, I think we recite that for all our service lines, because we think it’s that important. With respect to marketing, it must start with a website, then social media, so on and so forth. Google ads for example, can be very effective, but without an established website, you are limiting the effectiveness. In addition to Google ads, once the foundation is laid, we can work on patient satisfaction programs, physician referral programs, and more. Interested to learn more about how Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting can help you with your marketing needs? Click HERE to schedule a consult!

Medical Practice Marketing