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Considerations for a Micropractice
If you don't want to wear ALL the hats, then having a micropractice is not for you.
A micropractice clinic essentially has no staff; you are the receptionist, data entry clerk, biller, contract reviewer, inventory & supply manager, nurse, MA, office manager...and physician.
WHY
So why would you consider having a micropractice?
You're just starting out
To save on payroll & tax
To avoid HR issues & have complete control and compliance on office policies
To communicate with patients directly and succinctly
To have more flexibility i.e. having a part-time schedule, have a telemedicine-heavy practice
You're financially OK with a smallish patient panel
HOW
Follow STARTING A DPC PRACTICE CHECKLIST
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS for the Micropractice:
It's very important to set patient expectations up front about your available hours and how patients may communicate with you.
Will you allow non-secure emails & texts?
Have this in your patient Agreement and / or a welcome FAQ handout.
OFFICE HOURS
Based on personal or family needs, do you want 2 hr lunches/ admin time? a half-day off? extended early morning or late evening hours?
OFFICE SPACE
How much space do you actually need?
Do you want the public to know (on your website or social media) that you have no staff?
Install extra security features in your clinic & surroundings.
GROUP MEMBERSHIPS
On-boarding new members of a group is more time intensive initially.
EFFICIENCY
Automate. Automate. Automate.
Maximize tech tools to your benefit
Get a robust EMR system with integrated fax & eRX and patient portal.
Patient portal self service includes scheduling, bill pay, encounter summaries, refill requests, documents, secure messaging.
ADMIN DUTIES
Create admin duties for front & back office staff (should you later hire for these positions), and how often they need to be done.
Block recurrent times on the schedule for these duties.
EXTRA SERVICES
You may or not want to provide and fit these into your schedule, without assistance:
Housecalls
Medication dispensing
Phlebotomy
PFT / diagnostic testing/ POCUS
Aesthetics
ROLES to OUTSOURCE, or not
Housekeeper
Landscaper
Bookkeeper
Contract reviews
Marketing
WHEN IS IT TIME TO TRANSITION?
Set your criteria to close your panel or add staff or a partner, i.e. when you're unable to respond to patients' needs within 48-72 hrs?
Or you find someone you can depend on 100% to hire.
VARIATIONS on the Micropractice:
micropractice with a Virtual Assistant
micropractice in a group practice (physicians only and no staff)
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Considerations for a Micropractice
If you don't want to wear ALL the hats, then having a micropractice is not for you.
A micropractice clinic essentially has no staff; you are the receptionist, data entry clerk, biller, contract reviewer, inventory & supply manager, nurse, MA, office manager...and physician.
WHY
So why would you consider having a micropractice?
You're just starting out
To save on payroll & tax
To avoid HR issues & have complete control and compliance on office policies
To communicate with patients directly and succinctly
To have more flexibility i.e. having a part-time schedule, have a telemedicine-heavy practice
You're financially OK with a smallish patient panel
HOW
Follow STARTING A DPC PRACTICE CHECKLIST
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS for the Micropractice:
It's very important to set patient expectations up front about your available hours and how patients may communicate with you.
Will you allow non-secure emails & texts?
Have this in your patient Agreement and / or a welcome FAQ handout.
OFFICE HOURS
Based on personal or family needs, do you want 2 hr lunches/ admin time? a half-day off? extended early morning or late evening hours?
OFFICE SPACE
How much space do you actually need?
Do you want the public to know (on your website or social media) that you have no staff?
Install extra security features in your clinic & surroundings.
GROUP MEMBERSHIPS
On-boarding new members of a group is more time intensive initially.
EFFICIENCY
Automate. Automate. Automate.
Maximize tech tools to your benefit
Get a robust EMR system with integrated fax & eRX and patient portal.
Patient portal self service includes scheduling, bill pay, encounter summaries, refill requests, documents, secure messaging.
ADMIN DUTIES
Create admin duties for front & back office staff (should you later hire for these positions), and how often they need to be done.
Block recurrent times on the schedule for these duties.
EXTRA SERVICES
You may or not want to provide and fit these into your schedule, without assistance:
Housecalls
Medication dispensing
Phlebotomy
PFT / diagnostic testing/ POCUS
Aesthetics
ROLES to OUTSOURCE, or not
Housekeeper
Landscaper
Bookkeeper
Contract reviews
Marketing
WHEN IS IT TIME TO TRANSITION?
Set your criteria to close your panel or add staff or a partner, i.e. when you're unable to respond to patients' needs within 48-72 hrs?
Or you find someone you can depend on 100% to hire.
VARIATIONS on the Micropractice:
micropractice with a Virtual Assistant
micropractice in a group practice (physicians only and no staff)