Welcome to Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting & Management

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What Makes Our Healthcare Consulting Services Unique

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What Makes Our Healthcare Consulting Services Unique

In the fast-paced and multifaceted world of healthcare, choosing the right consulting firm can feel overwhelming. The landscape includes diverse sectors such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, and private practices. Amid this breadth, it’s crucial to find a healthcare consultant who specializes in your specific area of need.

Our Specialized Focus on Medical Practices

While many healthcare consulting companies offer a broad range of services, our focus is clear and precise. We specialize in consulting for medical practices, providing a depth of expertise that sets us apart:

Starting New Practices

Launching a new medical practice is no small feat, and it requires a nuanced understanding of both medical and business operations. We offer end-to-end support to ensure your start-up is successful from day one. From choosing the right location and negotiating leases to setting up electronic health records (EHR) systems and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements, we cover every aspect to get your practice off the ground smoothly.

Fixing Existing Practices

Even well-established practices encounter challenges. Whether it’s inefficiencies in workflow, financial struggles, or patient retention issues, we bring targeted solutions to the table. Our team conducts thorough assessments to identify problem areas and implements strategies tailored to your needs, ensuring your practice operates at its full potential.

Running Practices Efficiently

Running a practice efficiently requires ongoing attention to detail and strategic planning. We don’t just offer one-time fixes; we can provide continuous support to ensure long-term success. Our services include:

  • Operational Management: Enhancing day-to-day operations to improve patient flow and staff productivity.
  • Financial Oversight: Implementing robust billing and coding systems to maximize revenue and ensure timely reimbursements.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Keeping your practice updated with the latest healthcare regulations to avoid costly penalties.

Medical Billing Expertise

Efficient medical billing is the backbone of any successful practice. We offer comprehensive billing services that reduce administrative burdens and improve cash flow. Our team is proficient in handling all aspects of billing, from claim submissions to follow-ups and appeals, ensuring you receive timely and accurate payments.

Why Private Medical Practices Need Our Expertise

Private medical practices face unique challenges that require specialized support. Today’s healthcare environment is more complex than ever, with increasing regulatory demands, financial pressures, and competition. Bringing in a consulting firm like ours doesn’t imply a failure of your Practice Manager. Instead, it provides an ally who can take on tasks they may not have time for or areas where they lack complete expertise.

Supporting Practice Managers

Practice Managers are the unsung heroes of medical practices, juggling multiple responsibilities daily. By partnering with us, they gain access to:

  • Expertise in areas they may be less familiar with, such as advanced data analytics or marketing strategies.
  • Time to focus on their core responsibilities without being overwhelmed by additional tasks.
  • Resources and tools that enhance their ability to manage the practice effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, partnering with our consulting firm can transform the operation of your medical practice. We bring a wealth of experience, specialized knowledge, and the latest resources to bear on your unique challenges. This collaboration not only alleviates the administrative and operational burdens on your Practice Manager but also positions your practice for sustained growth and success. In an increasingly competitive and regulated healthcare environment, having a knowledgeable ally can make all the difference. Let us help you navigate these complexities with confidence and peace of mind, ensuring that you can focus on providing outstanding patient care.

Independence in Medicine: A Case for Private Practice

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Independence in Medicine a Case for Private Practice

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, the debate between the efficiency and effectiveness of privately owned medical practices versus health system-owned practices has become more relevant than ever. While each model presents its own set of advantages, it is the former—privately owned practices—that truly embody the essence of patient-centered care and the spirit of medical independence.

The allure of large health systems, with their sprawling networks and comprehensive services, is undeniable. However, beneath the surface of these healthcare behemoths lies a complex bureaucracy that often dilutes the patient-physician relationship and stifles the autonomy of medical professionals. In contrast, privately owned practices offer a beacon of independence and personalized care, shining brightly in an industry increasingly dominated by consolidation.

Personalized Care at Its Best

At the heart of privately owned practices is the unwavering commitment to personalized care. These practices thrive on the close-knit relationships developed between patients and physicians, fostering an environment where care is not just a service but a partnership. In these settings, patients are not mere numbers in a system; they are individuals with unique stories, concerns, and health goals. This personal approach ensures that treatment plans are not only tailored to the specific needs of each patient but are also delivered with a level of compassion and understanding that is often lost in larger health system settings.

The Autonomy to Innovate and Adapt

Independence in medicine is not just about the freedom to provide care in a personalized manner; it is also about the ability to innovate and adapt swiftly to the changing healthcare landscape. Privately owned practices operate with a level of agility that is seldom found in their health system-owned counterparts. Without the burden of navigating through layers of bureaucracy, these practices can quickly implement new technologies, adapt to emerging health trends, and refine operational processes to enhance patient care and satisfaction.

Furthermore, this autonomy empowers physicians to make clinical decisions that are in the best interest of their patients, free from the influence of external pressures that often accompany health system affiliations. This independence is crucial for preserving the integrity of medical practice and ensuring that patient welfare remains the paramount concern.

Cultivating Community and Continuity

Privately owned practices are not just healthcare providers; they are integral members of their communities. By serving a more localized patient base, these practices cultivate a sense of community and belonging, contributing to the overall well-being of the areas they serve. This community-focused approach also facilitates continuity of care, enabling physicians to follow their patients through various stages of life and health challenges. Such continuity is essential for creating comprehensive health histories that can inform better healthcare outcomes.

A Sustainable Model for the Future

Critics of privately owned practices often cite financial sustainability as a concern, especially in an era where healthcare costs are rising, and regulatory demands are increasing. However, the resilience and adaptability demonstrated by these practices, even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscore their potential for sustainable operation. Through innovative care models, such as direct primary care, and leveraging technology to optimize efficiency, privately owned practices are charting a path toward a sustainable future in healthcare.

In conclusion, while the healthcare industry continues to grapple with the challenges of providing high-quality, accessible care, the case for privately owned practices remains compelling. Their commitment to personalized care, autonomy in clinical decision-making, community involvement, and adaptability not only positions them as a preferable choice for patients but also as a vital model for preserving the essence of independent medicine. As we look toward the future of healthcare, it is imperative that we support and champion the role of privately owned practices in maintaining the health and well-being of our communities.

Considering starting your own private medical practice? Let us assist you. Reach out to us today to begin your journey.

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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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.

  1. 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!

How to Open a Medical Practice

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

New Physicians Choosing Private Practice Again

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As the workforce evolves and younger generations are entering into the mix, there has been a big push for independence and working for oneself. This is true in every industry, and especially so in the healthcare world. Many younger physicians and medical specialists are looking for options involving private practices, not wanting to be tied down or restricted by big hospitals and healthcare systems.

Melissa Starowitz, Founder of Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting and Management, specializes in helping practitioners make the jump into private practice and expects to see a lot more of them popping up in the next few years. This is in part due to patterns she sees that resemble what happened a few decades ago, and due to the business and healthcare management environment of today.

As Starowitz explains, this draw towards opening private practices stems in part from younger generations entering the workforce, and not being satisfied with the status quo. Many people now want to go into the entrepreneurial space, while still working one-on-one with patients.

Some physicians feel reluctant to get into a contract with a big healthcare system because they are limited in how they can practice, these systems often have patient quotas, specific treatment timeframes, and treatment limitations. In other cases, it is simply a practitioner wanting to focus on a more customer-centric model, and wanting the freedom of owning their own business.

Start-ups of any kind are easier now more than ever, without the requirement of a brick-and-mortar space there is no limit to how practitioners can connect with patients. Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting and Management has a turnkey solution that can get private practices up and running quickly, with everything they need to provide the best patient care.

They also work with practitioners looking to purchase or partner into an established practice, going through all the pros and cons, helping them decide which route forward best serves their needs.

Starowitz has been in the business a long time and has herself started multiple successful private practices in the Greater Philadelphia Region and New York area, so she knows what it takes both from the management side of it and the owner side. She is not a practitioner, she is an expert in healthcare systems management, and knows the industry inside and out.

Because part of her business is working with practices looking to sell, or improve their sustainability, she knows all the different areas where things can go wrong or need improvement. Her company helps with every single phase of the process, she will do everything from the ground up, including scouting out retail space, coordinating the website, installing the phone system, literally everything.

Starowitz is so successful because she never loses sight of the objective, providing the best care and making things better for the patient. She strives to be cutting edge and on top of trends in the industry, looking at all the new methods and business models that are working.

An example of that is telemedicine, which she was offering well before the COVID-19 pandemic made it so popular. As an entrepreneur herself, she knows exactly what struggles and challenges these practitioners will face and has a ready-made way to approach it.

Starowitz is an incredibly positive and insightful person, deeply committed to helping both physicians and patients. As a single mother, and woman in business, she understands how important work-life balance is and incorporates that into everything she does.

Visit the Cornerstone Healthcare Consulting and Management website to see how they can help get your private practice started.

New Physicians Choosing Private Practice Again