Family doctors are very special providers within a community. They typically treat patients of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. You’ll find them everywhere from big cities to rural areas. They offer a variety of services, from prenatal care and vaccinations to screening tests and advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Experts agree that everyone should see a doctor once a year at minimum.
Perhaps you were inspired to become a family physician by watching the plethora of television doctors we all see who make it look so easy. The reality is that being a family doctor, while rewarding, can be a long process to get off the ground. Let’s review a few tips for starting a family doctor’s office.
- Ensure You Have Enough Funding
Family doctors wear many hats, including being a business owner. When starting, you’ll need to ensure you have enough funding to cover everything. This includes real estate (whether you choose a building, office suite, or home office), equipment, software, malpractice insurance, and staff. If you don’t have enough capital, you’ll need to consider a loan. You can also cut costs by taking on a partner, splitting the costs with another doctor, or renting out the space to another professional (massage therapist, chiropractor, etc.) at night or on weekends.
- Have the Proper Credentials for Insurance Companies
A large portion of your income will likely come by way of insurance companies. To accept patient insurance, you’ll have to show the companies that you are properly credentialed. This process could take several months and includes you proving to them that you are licensed, have malpractice insurance, and that you’re complying with the rules and regulations of your state.
For example, proof that you have contracted a company to properly disclose medical waste will be needed. Fines for improper disposal of hazardous waste can cost medical practices up to $37,500 per incident. This fine will be charged each day that the situation is not remedied.
- Have a Good Practice Plan
One of the keys to a successful family doctor’s office is to have a great practice plan in place before even opening the door. You don’t want the office to appear chaotic or messy when patients start coming. A few things to solidify include staffing (office manager, medical assistant, etc.), janitorial/cleaning services, secure vendors for supplies and equipment, ensuring you have easy-to-use, secure software to manage patient files and have services in place for diagnostics (lab work, MRIs, etc.). You’ll also want to consider your patient policies (cancelation, payment options), how you will bill, and have clear expectations for the duties of staff. Be sure to communicate with staff both verbally and in writing.
- Market Your Practice
As much as you love being a doctor to your patients, you must always keep in mind that your practice is a business, so it’s important to market your practice and yourself so that you can attract new patients. The good news is that with the wonders of technology, marketing has never been easier (and more cost-effective). The even better news is that if you’re good at what you do, over time, your patients will be your best marketing tool.
But in the meantime, get started by hiring pros to create a website and design a nifty logo to represent your practice; don’t be afraid to showcase your talents and skills as a physician on social media. You can also hire marketing experts to start an email or direct marketing campaign that revolves around specific seasonal issues, like allergies or the common cold. It’s estimated that about half of common cold cases occur in the spring and fall, so consider running a special incentive or promotion for patients to come in during that time.
As a doctor, starting a family practice can be a very rewarding experience. You get to help those in need, but you’ll get to build relationships and watch as your patients grow and add to their families. It’s never easy to start a new business, but with some careful planning, you can make a difference in the lives of many people!
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