PRACTICE STARTUPS
Over the past 7 years, Pinnacle Practice Achievement has played an instrumental part in allowing physicians who are currently employed or right out of residency to take the leap and "Hang their own Shingle." No other consulting firm offers podiatry specific start up programs that encompass such a high level of detail and expertise at affordable prices.
At several points throughout the process of practice development, a much more intense level of involvement is required compared to working with existing practices. For this reason, Cindy and her physician advisors limit the number of start up clients who may be on a similar timeline in order to provide the one on one attention they need.
The dream of owning your own practice can become a reality. They did for these DPMs!
Startup Services to include:
Professional Services (Introducing/Securing):
- Legal Counsel
- Accountant
- Architect/Interior Designer/General Contractor
- Billing/Revenue Cycle Management Company
- Credentialing Firm Compliance Services to include but not limited to
- OSHA, HIPAA and Cyber Security
Financial
- Drafting of 3-5 year financial projections to aid in:
- Securing of Financial Backing
- Creating Budgets
- Introduction to investment planning and wealth/asset management for practice growth
Location/Space Planning
- Introduction to Commercial Real-Estate Agent (based on):
- Location Analysis (State, City and County)
- Demographic Analysis
- Spatial Needs and Considerations/Plan for Future Expansion
- Office Layout/Best use of Space for flow and efficiency
- Touring of commercial properties with representative RE Agent
- Assistance with Negotiating of Commercial Property/Space (rent, lease or purchase) through RE Agent
- Execution of lease or Securing of Mortgage
- Commencement of Office Build out vs. Leasehold Improvements
- Coordination of Move In
Organizational
- Entity Formation/Business Registration, etc.
- Business Plan Development and Implementation
- Protection of Assets
Finding/Securing:
- Malpractice Insurance/Broker
- Business Related, Health and Disability Insurance
Credentialing/Privileging
- Obtaining of state license (and county where necessary)
- Obtaining of Federal and State Narcotic Licenses
- Credentialing for Insurers (including Durable Medical Equipment)
- Applications for hospital and surgical center privileges
- Discussion of Options for affiliation with hospital IPAs for improved fee schedules
- Applications for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Outpatient facilities (if desired)
Personnel
- Assistance with:
- Ad placement for staff
- Interviewing tips and techniques
- Personality testing and metrics
- Hiring of Staff
- Employee Handbook Development (see below)
- Training Staff through
- Online lessons and exams
- Video Meetings and Training Sessions
- Probationary Period Recommendations and Assessment Tools for Performance Reviews
- Recommendations for hiring and training Physician/Practice Liaison
Equipment/Supplies
- Finding/Securing Electronic Medical Record (Charting) and Practice Management (Billing, Claims Submission, Receivables) Software
- Coordination of Staff and Physician Training to Optimize Charting and Claims Submission Efficiency and Minimize Claim Rejection Rates
- Providing complete lists of medical/surgical supplies and equipment for initial stocking of office
- Assistance with Initial Ordering/Purchasing of:
- Office Furniture (selected to maximize efficiency and time)
- Electronics and Ancillary Equipment (digital x-ray, etc.)
- Office (Administrative) and Clinical Supplies
Operational
- Creation of Office Policies and Procedures (Employee Manual/Handbook)
- Development of Office Procedures and Treatment Specific Protocols
- Protocol Menus provided for ease of development
- Introductions to preferred vendors/service providers
- Assistance with:
- Development of Financial Policies and Collections Procedures
- Coordination of Payroll Services
- Finding/Securing of Merchant Services Vendor
Marketing
- Finding/Securing:
- Web Developer
- Development of Practice Logo
- Suggestions for Branding through Print and Media through consistent Graphics and Practice Mission Statement
- Building Practice Website
- Design of Print Collateral/Marketing Materials to include:
- Stationary, Business/Appointment Cards, Office Forms, Patient Condition and Treatment Educational Pieces, Practice
brochure, Patient Give a Ways and Promotional Items
- Stationary, Business/Appointment Cards, Office Forms, Patient Condition and Treatment Educational Pieces, Practice
- Commencement of Marketing to potential patient and referral base
- Suggestions for “Shoe Leather Marketing” within your community
- Commencement of Online Marketing/Social Media Presence
- Blogging Services with highest unique content for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Claiming and Optimizing all directory listings to increase organic search results
- Staying connected with your patients through email/drip campaigns and newsletters
- Optimization of patient testimonials and online reviews
- Monitoring and Analysis of Referral Sources
- Tracking ROI of Marketing Efforts
Additional Explanation of Program Services and Special Notations:
- A customized timeline will be provided based on practice “open date” goals.
- Program includes bi-monthly conference calls to monitor progress during planning and development phase (more if required as grand opening date approaches) and for 60 days following practice commencement.
- Please note: Fees do not include services and goods recommended by Pinnacle Practice Achievement (PPA)
- Examples:
- Online Marketing Services
- Website Development
- Electronic Health Record Software and Implementation
- HIPAA Compliance Services
- Supply and Equipment Purchases
- Legal Counsel Fees for Employee Manual review.
Many of the recommended vendors and service providers will extend/offer preferred pricing due to your practice’s affiliation with Pinnacle Practice Achievement.
There are no formal requirements to utilize the products or services of any vendor or provider recommended by PPA, however, it is advisable. This allows our team to remain actively involved as imperative decisions are made and action item are accomplished (as they relate to the future success of your practice).
Consultation and Management Continuum
Following practice commencement and completion of active credentialing with all carriers (approximately 90 days into active practice), custom consulting programs are available and strongly recommended at a varying rates (depending on number of providers, staff members and locations) to include:
- Bi-monthly conference calls to address concerns and areas in need of increased attention
- Continued suggestions for Internal and External Marketing/Promotion of practice
- Monthly video Staff Training sessions/meetings to review and reinforce details of office policies/systems and treatment specific protocols including:
- Scripting of explanations and role-playing exercises to assure comprehension of products and services provided
- Collections processes, handling of difficult patients/situations
- Team (staff and physician) efforts as they relate to development of practice benchmarks/goals
- Other specified areas in need of special attention
- Continued access to online (password protected) lessons and quizzes (as new/additional employees are hired)
- Monthly reporting (working with revenue cycle management vendor/biller) to include:
- CPT analysis, DME and cash product dispensing, and patient visit value
- These reports will serve to measure team performance, effective
utilization of protocols and to identify areas of the practice that
may require modification or additional attention in order to meet
practice goals. Metric measurement is essential to practice growth.
- These reports will serve to measure team performance, effective
- CPT analysis, DME and cash product dispensing, and patient visit value
The Pinnacle TEAM looks forward to helping your new practice achieve and exceed your expectations!
As I was researching the prospects of either purchasing an existing practice or starting my own, a close and trusted colleague introduced me to Pinnacle Practice Achievement. After the initial consultation with Cindy Pezza, the path became more clear. She helped me navigate through all the aspects and complexities of achieving my goal. Many said that it would take me eleven to thirteen months to establish my practice. However, Cindy kept me on my target date and I was able to achieve my opening in eight months. Thank you, Pinnacle Practice Achievement for helping me make my vision a reality.
Dr. Rico Visperas
KINETIC FOOT AND ANKLE, LLC
The life of a busy medical professional is hectic. The life of a busy medical professional that also owns their practice is arguably more so. There is only so much time in a given day. If one wants to see a full schedule of patients, manage the business, and somehow get home early enough to spend quality time with family, they’ve got to be focused on efficiency. Cindy has helped me achieve this efficiency, and for that I’m forever grateful.
David Applegate, DPM
Texas Foot and Ankle Specialists
My experience with Cindy has been phenomenal! When I first decided to start my own business (after working for someone for the first nine years of my career) I realized I knew absolutely nothing about starting or running my own practice! Though guidance from Cindy I was able to not only hang my first shingle, but I was able to do so in any organized, systematic approach and in the utmost professional way. She set me up for success and I gained a great friendship during the process as well!
Jennifer Somers, DPM
Somers Foot and Ankle, Clarkston, MI
My business partner and I were associates of different practices for many years. When we started thinking about our future, we decided to consider our options in terms of starting our own podiatry practice, specializing in sports medicine and performance arts. We had an informal conversation with Cindy and knew immediately that she would be worth her weight in gold in terms of her knowledge and experience. Cindy not only gave us the encouragement we needed to start our practice, but also practical application and resources to physically get started. Starting your own practice is a very big, very daunting task, but I am so pleased that this is the path we have chosen, and we couldn't have asked for a better person to steer us in the right direction.
Supna Reilly, DPM
Performance Podiatry Partners, Chicago, IL
I came straight out of residency knowing I wanted to start up my own practice. I was given Cindy’s contact information and she was able to help me get the ball rolling and make sure that I was compliant with many different aspects of running a practice. I was able to sleep much better at night knowing that my practice was set up correctly. I am not about 3 years out from starting my own practice and thanks to her it continues to grow and produce.
Dallin Greene, DPM
Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute, Butte, MT
After interviewing a couple different consultants, I started working with Cindy during my last year of residency. She has been extremely instrumental in getting my practice up and running. She gave me a playbook on how to open my practice from scratch. She provided me with the tools to be successful every step of the way. While looking for an office space she walked through with me virtually and gave me good questions to ask. Because I was fresh out of residency I did not have any experience with running a business. Cindy taught me all the steps to operate a business. Every facet of the practice Cindy has advice on products to office documents and equipment. Cindy is also a great communicator and I never thought I was bothering her with questions. I highly recommend her for a start up or if you need to revitalize your business. I will continue to work with her as I find her advice invaluable.
Dr. Stephanie Tine
Flamingo Foot & Ankle, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
As I was researching the prospects of either purchasing an existing practice or starting my own, a close and trusted colleague introduced me to Pinnacle Practice Achievement. After the initial consultation with Cindy Pezza, the path became more clear. She helped me navigate through all the aspects and complexities of achieving my goal. Many said that it would take me eleven to thirteen months to establish my practice. However, Cindy kept me on my target date and I was able to achieve my opening in eight months. Thank you, Pinnacle Practice Achievement for helping me make my vision a reality.
Dr. Rico Visperas
KINETIC FOOT AND ANKLE, LLC
The life of a busy medical professional is hectic. The life of a busy medical professional that also owns their practice is arguably more so. There is only so much time in a given day. If one wants to see a full schedule of patients, manage the business, and somehow get home early enough to spend quality time with family, they’ve got to be focused on efficiency. Cindy has helped me achieve this efficiency, and for that I’m forever grateful.
David Applegate, DPM
Texas Foot and Ankle Specialists
My experience with Cindy has been phenomenal! When I first decided to start my own business (after working for someone for the first nine years of my career) I realized I knew absolutely nothing about starting or running my own practice! Though guidance from Cindy I was able to not only hang my first shingle, but I was able to do so in any organized, systematic approach and in the utmost professional way. She set me up for success and I gained a great friendship during the process as well!
Jennifer Somers, DPM
Somers Foot and Ankle, Clarkston, MI
My business partner and I were associates of different practices for many years. When we started thinking about our future, we decided to consider our options in terms of starting our own podiatry practice, specializing in sports medicine and performance arts. We had an informal conversation with Cindy and knew immediately that she would be worth her weight in gold in terms of her knowledge and experience. Cindy not only gave us the encouragement we needed to start our practice, but also practical application and resources to physically get started. Starting your own practice is a very big, very daunting task, but I am so pleased that this is the path we have chosen, and we couldn't have asked for a better person to steer us in the right direction.
Supna Reilly, DPM
Performance Podiatry Partners, Chicago, IL
I came straight out of residency knowing I wanted to start up my own practice. I was given Cindy’s contact information and she was able to help me get the ball rolling and make sure that I was compliant with many different aspects of running a practice. I was able to sleep much better at night knowing that my practice was set up correctly. I am not about 3 years out from starting my own practice and thanks to her it continues to grow and produce.