Table of Contents
Starting a business can be difficult enough without factoring in all the specifics of healthcare. We understand that starting a practice can be stressful, so we’ve gathered a list of your top priority tasks to get the ball rolling. Let’s start with the basics.
To begin, research the local healthcare market in your preferred areas. You’ll want to assess how many providers there are in those areas and identify any potential gaps in service. This will help you determine if there’s enough demand for the practice you want to open.
You need to have a business model in place once you’ve decided where you want to set up; this model should include the following:
- Which services you will offer
- Potential costs for services
- How to handle billing and payments
- How much capital do you need to start your practice?
- Potential sources of funding, including grants and loans
- A business plan
- Projections for the first three years of operation (projected revenues and expenses, details about how the practice will be managed, etc.)
Find the Right Location
You’ll need to consider a few factors to find the right location. First, identify a site that is accessible to your target patients. Consider their age, income level, and lifestyle habits (i.e., do they walk or drive?).
Next up is assessing local infrastructure like roads, sidewalks, and bike lanes, as well as researching any zoning or other restrictions (e.g., does the building allow for medical offices).
Develop a Team
The first step in building your team is identifying the roles you need to fill. This can be done by creating job descriptions and using a healthcare staffing agency to find qualified candidates.
A good place to start is with a general manager responsible for overseeing operations. Next, consider hiring a front-end manager to help schedule appointments, answer phones, and assist patients with questions or paperwork when needed.
You may also want someone with experience in insurance billing so they can act as an intermediary between patients’ insurance companies and yourself or other providers involved in their care (if applicable).
Finally, consider adding one or two nurse practitioners or physician assistants as part of your medical team— they’ll be able to provide direct patient care while freeing up space on busy days when appointments are booked solid!
Choose Technology and Suppliers
After setting up the basics and assembling your management team, it’s time to choose the technology and suppliers to help you run it. You’ll need to research and select the right equipment and software for each area of your business, including:
- Electronic health records (EHRs)
- Medical billing software
- Physician scheduling software
- Clinical documentation improvement solutions (CDI)
You should also consider how these tools will work together with other systems in place at your practice, such as patient portals or electronic prescribing systems, and ensure that they comply with local and state regulations.
As for suppliers, let your office manager handle the initial research into local prescription representatives and medical supply providers. Be sure to review their prescription suggestions to approve or deny them, as you’ll need to check the science behind each.
Develop Policies and Procedures
Once you’ve established the practice, develop policies and procedures for patient care, billing, privacy, and other areas of your practice. These will help ensure that your patients receive the best possible care. They can also help prevent lawsuits against you or your staff if something goes wrong in one of their treatments.
Involve your managers in putting this together, as they can supply different viewpoints from their areas of expertise.
Create a Professional Website
The first step in marketing your private healthcare practice is creating a professional website. A well-designed and optimized website can be the difference between attracting new patients and missing out on potential opportunities to grow your business.
To create an effective site, start by defining who your target market is and what they need from their doctor. Then, write content that speaks directly to that audience and ensure it’s easy for search engines (like Google) to understand what’s on offer through SEO best practices.
Develop an Effective Marketing Plan
Identify Your Target Market
First, determine who is most likely to use the services offered by your private healthcare practice. For example, if one of the specialties at your clinic is orthopedics (i.e., treating broken bones), then focus on reaching people who have recently sustained injuries or chronic conditions related to bone health, such as arthritis or osteoporosis.
Develop a Brand Identity
Once you have identified your target market, develop a brand identity that appeals to them. This includes creating a logo, color scheme, and other visual elements that will help patients recognize your practice and differentiate it from other healthcare providers in the area.
Create a Marketing Plan
A solid marketing plan will help you reach your target audience and build a strong brand. This can include tactics such as online advertising, social media, email marketing, and events. Then, track your results and adjust your approach as needed to ensure you get the best possible return on investment.
Spread the word about your practice through local advertising. For example, you can post flyers in local businesses, hand out business cards and brochures, or create a website with a blog that shares valuable information about healthcare topics.
Online Marketing and Social Media
Use online marketing to reach a wider audience than you could by relying on word-of-mouth referrals alone. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are great ways to connect with potential patients interested in learning more about what you have to offer.
You can also use Google ads or other paid search services to target people searching for the treatment options you offer in your office’s area.
Focus on Patient Experience
Finally, focusing on providing an exceptional patient experience is crucial. This includes everything from how you greet patients when they walk through the door to the quality of care you provide and the follow-up you offer after their appointment. Happy patients are more likely to refer their friends and family to your practice, which can help you grow your business over time.
