Ask Lisa: Want to Sell or Grow? How to Elevate Your Practice’s Value Now

how to elevate your practice's value now

In today’s healthcare landscape, practice value is a complex blend of operational effectiveness, modern technology, financial health, and clinical reputation. Whether a practice owner is looking to sell, partner with, or simply build a sustainable business, several areas can significantly enhance its market value.

Keep reading as I delve into a few of these areas with you.

  1. First, maximizing financial and collections management and diversifying revenue streams remains critical. Practices that depend on a single payer, service, or a narrow patient demographic are viewed as high-risk and are rare nowadays. Enhancing value requires rigorous billing and collections processes to minimize days in accounts receivable.
  2. Integrating ancillary services and hiring non-DC providers can boost revenue per patient while providing comprehensive, whole patient care one-stop. Group chiropractic practices are getting more on board with implementing a hybrid model by hiring PTs, LMTs, Acupuncturists, MDs, PAs, as well as continuing to perform ancillary services such as custom orthotics, ultrasound, EMS-Interferential, Laser, EMMS, Nutrition Counseling, Exercise and Rehab Education, ergonomic and backpack checks, and Shockwave therapies. Yes, all of these are billable and some are insurance payable.
  3. Clean, auditable financial records and practice statistical reporting are the foundations of a high-value practice. I’ve been there and have helped clinicians and managers with this while working at offices to help improve collections and revenue.
  4. Adopting robust, user-friendly digital systems and procedures. A modern (EHR) system that integrates seamlessly with billing and patient portals is a significant asset. Offices and clinic owners need and want systems that reduce administrative burdens. I’ve seen this – the better and more open staff are to learning the plethora of features in your practice management and EHR programs, the better collections are. Newer technologies in advance scheduling, automated appointment reminders, and digital intake forms minimize costly no-show rates and maximize physician utilization. The EHR-rating website Capterra just updated its list of top-rated, and compliant, chiropractic software programs. Click [Here] for details. Insert hyperlink with here as link name.
  5. A tech-forward practice signals to prospective buyers that the business is built for the future. For example, technology to administer and record a precise adjustment can help prevent wear and tear on your body, and includes devices such as the Activator, Impulse Adjuster, Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) Blocks, Impulse Adjusting Instrument, ArthroStim Adjusting Tool, PulStar FRAS Adjusting Instrument, and the Atlas Orthogonal Percussion Instrument.
  6. Patient retention and brand loyalty serve as powerful indicators of value. A practice with a high volume of recurring, satisfied patients represents predictable future cash flow. On the other hand, a steady flow of new patients under the pain relief only model can also prove a powerful indicator of value-based services. Implementing structured patient feedback systems and maintaining a strong online reputation can drastically lower patient acquisition costs.
  7. Additionally, standardizing clinical and operational workflows ensures that the practice can function smoothly without relying entirely on the founding physician. When operational knowledge is documented and transferable, the practice becomes far more attractive to external buyers.
  8. Cultivating a positive workplace culture reduces staff turnover, which is notoriously expensive in the healthcare sector. A practice staffed with skilled people demonstrates operational leverage and shows revenue generation is diversified across the clinical team.
  9. Ultimately, improving a healthcare practice’s value is about reducing risk and proving scalability. By implementing and maintaining solid financial workflows, embracing modern technology, and fostering patient and staff loyalty, practice owners can maximize their business worth and ensure long-term clinical success.

Now through October 31st I’m offering a complimentary 30-minute consultation on how you can boost your particular practice’s value and answer any questions you may have

Complete the easy form below for details on this complimentary offer.

Complimentary Offer

And just ask…
Lisa

*Offer does not apply to current active PM&A clients. You’re already getting the best bang for your buck in Abbondanza with us anyway!!  😉

Ask Lisa: What exactly goes into valuing a chiropractic practice?

Why in the world would one want to get their chiropractic practice appraised?

I’m glad you asked!

Having your practice appraised is an investment in both you and your practice’s future. Even if you are not ready to sell your practice, having your practice appraised is important and sometimes required to fulfill legal obligations, for example in divorce, bankruptcy; estate settlements; and buy-ins or buy-outs. You may simply want financial peace of mind from having a valuation done.

What exactly goes into valuing a practice? Several components are used to create a comprehensive valuation and report. These components over a certain time period, say three years of data, include:

  • Gross income
  • Net income
  • What type of insurance and/or payment is accepted (e.g., PPO, HMO, Medicare, and Medicaid insurance participation)
  • Total number of active patients
  • Number of new patients a month
  • Techniques specializing in, and therapies utilized
  • Patient and area demographics
  • Accounts Receivables and Collections
  • Market trends
  • The practice’s goodwill

We do practice appraisals! Want to learn more?

Just Ask Lisa, 920-334-4561, lisa@pmaworks.com

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Lastly for today, *AN URGENT MESSAGE* I was not planning on including the below information regarding the recent AND significant cybersecurity attack to UHC Change Healthcare, but since this is significant and since the cyberattack may have impacted you or your practice, it is worth including an update. Below is a nice summary from Dr. Chris Anderson from Chiropractic Society of Wisconsin. The most recent full HHS article follows.

Summary of HHS article

  • Cyberattack Impact on Change Healthcare: Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group, experienced a cyberattack in late February, affecting healthcare operations nationwide.
  • HHS Coordination Efforts: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prioritizes coordinating efforts to mitigate disruptions in healthcare services. It is in constant communication with UnitedHealth Group leadership, state partners, and external stakeholders to understand the impact and ensure an effective response.
  • Immediate Steps by CMS: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking immediate steps to assist providers in serving patients. This includes providing flexibilities such as expediting electronic data interchange enrollment, relaxing prior authorization requirements, and encouraging advance funding to affected providers.
  • Encouragement for Other Payers: CMS urges other payers, including state Medicaid and CHIP agencies, to waive or expedite solutions for claims processing, and to consider offering advance funding to providers.
  • Accelerated Payments and Paper Claims: Providers facing cash flow issues due to system outages can request accelerated payments from Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and submit paper claims if necessary.
  • Cybersecurity Resiliency: The incident underscores the need to strengthen cybersecurity across the healthcare sector. HHS released a concept paper outlining a cybersecurity strategy focusing on resilience, accountability, and coordination within the healthcare ecosystem.
  • Continued Communication and Collaboration: HHS pledges to maintain communication with the healthcare sector, monitor response efforts, and work with industry stakeholders to address cybersecurity gaps. It emphasizes the importance of heightened cybersecurity measures for all stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.

Full article: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/03/05/hhs-statement-regarding-the-cyberattack-on-change-healthcare.html

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We have received questions from you regarding how to send claims in that won’t go. Consider pushing your claims to paper and either mailing or faxing them to the payer if you are not able to send them electronically, until a resolution is completed.

Please reach out to Lisa or Dave if you have follow-up questions.