Practice Start-Up Services

Practice Operations

In the current environment of declining reimbursement it is highly important that practice operates efficiently. During the practice start up phase Sterling Medical Consultants will work with the physicians to ensure that their office is designed to run efficiently and that the practice is opened on time. Our Operational staff will perform the following tasks during the start up phase

Tasks

• Determine required office size
  
• Review optimal office locations
  
• Negotiate lease and secure site
  
• Manage site remodel or build-out
  
• Coordination of marketing efforts
  
• Coordination of health plan credentialing
  
• Obtain Medical licenses
  
• Obtain DEA permits
  
• Obtain hospital privileges
  
• Obtain DME numbers
  
• Determine required staffing levels
  
• Determine level of services offered in practice (e.g. x-ray, labs, procedure based services)
  
• Assess medical equipment needs and prepare RFP
  
• Assess office equipment and furniture needs and prepare RFP
  
• Assess medical/office supplies needs and prepare RFP
  
• Prepare workflow assessment for policy and procedures documentation
  
• Determine need for encounter forms and other forms that will need to be developed.
  
• Develop OSHA, CLIA, HIPAA policy and procedures.
  
• Train staff on OSHA, CLIA, HIPAA policy and procedures.
  
• Develop appointment templates
  
• Develop and mail practice announcement letters
  
• Install equipment and furniture
  
• Order medical and office supplies

Financial Management

Sterling Medical Consultants has designed the Financial Management service to ensure that the physicians are continuously aware of the financial position of their practice. During the start up phase our staff will work with the physicians to prepare financial budgets and comply with all government and regulatory requirements for a new practice. Additionally, we will work with all local health plans to obtain reimbursement contracts. Our staff will work with the physicians to establish regular financial reporting options.

Tasks

• Finalize practice organization type (PSC, PLLC)
  
• Determine practice trade name
  
• File Articles of Organization with state
  
• Obtain Federal Tax Identification Number
  
• Review level of services offered by practice and review pricing and reimbursement
  
• Prepare 3-year pro forma financial statements
  
• Prepare an operating and capital budget for first year of operations
  
• Register organization with local governments agencies
  
• Determine banking needs and most cost effective provider
  
• Develop fee schedules
  
• Design and implementation of physician productivity based compensation models
  
• Secure health plan contracts
  
• Obtain malpractice insurance quotes and secure policy
  
• Obtain general liability insurance quotes and secure policy
  
• Arrange vendor contracts for on-going services and supplies
  
• Determine accounting and financial resources for on-going activities (within practice or outsourced)
  
• Determine medical claims billing and collections vendor.
  
• Determine employee benefits and obtain pricing.
  
• Establish petty cash and related policy and procedures

Computer and Telecommunications Management

In conjunction with the Operational and Financial staff our Technology staff will design the optimal computer and telecommunication system that will help the physicians' office to work efficiently.

Tasks

• Determine level of computer needs
  
• Determine size and scope of telephone equipment
  
• Determine billing system requirements
  
• Prepare RFP and order computer equipment
  
• Prepare RFP and order telecommunication equipment
  
• Install and test computers and networking
  
• Supervise installation and testing of telecommunication systems
  
• Train staff on computer systems
  
• Train staff on telecommunications systems

Human Resources

Having the right staff members to represent your practice to the public is essential to a successful practice. During the start up phase our Human Resources staff will work with the physicians to recruit the right staff members to the practice.

Tasks

• Develop job descriptions
  
• Place classified ads for staffing needs
  
• Conduct initial interviews of staff candidates
  
• Facilitate physician interviews of staff candidates
  
• Develop office policy and procedures
  
• Develop benefit summary and employee handbook
  
• Develop personnel files and record keeping policy

Sterling Medical Consultants has extensive management experience with large and small physician groups and we can leverage this to help physicians start up a new practice.