Practice Systems Review & Health Check
A recent practice review captured an income leakage of over $100,000 per annum (and this was just from one team). This was simply because staff were not checking patient details and updating information which attracts a Medicare Incentive Number.
It is crucial that practice owners keep up to date on the ever-changing conditions of the health care industry. But many practitioners simply don’t know what financial reports to look at or what systems to check. Studying financial data and developing a solid budget will help you better manage your cash flow, increase productivity and make your practice more profitable, however checking your management systems, workflow strategies and organisational structure may save you thousands of dollars and help you discover thousands of dollars.
A practice health check analyses 50+ different systems in your practice. These include financial, management and human resources. It also includes an in depth look at your medical software i.e. Best Practice, Medical Director or Pracsoft and how your staff are using the system. In most cases, the practice leakage is a result from unskilled staff or lack of proper training. So, what is the good news? The good news is that everything can be fixed!
If your revenue looks a bit “sluggish” but you are working hard, consider a practice review. It may change the way you practice forever.
Hear More About Medical Practice Health Checks…
Workshops And CDM Workflow
Nicky Jardine Health Training and Consulting can customise workshops for you and your team around a range of topics such as:
- Patient Triage
- Chronic disease Management
- How to deal with difficult patients
Chronic Disease Management Training And Workflow
Revenue is directly linked to patient throughput and the use of the appropriate Medical Benefit Schedule (MBS) items to support service provision. Practice revenue is decreased when GPs do not take up new models of care that are able to earn more for the practice, or when GPs do take up the new models of care but do not claim the appropriate MBS items.
New Medicare items, including Chronic Disease Management (CDM) items, have been progressively introduced which now provide rebates for services from a broader range of health professionals. Commonwealth and state governments continue to encourage primary care service providers to develop collaborative models of care for patients.
A training program can be implemented to ensure doctors and allied health professionals are aware of appropriate use of item numbers. Well trained staff and systems can systemise an increase in remuneration so the practice can be quite profitable.
It is also proven that a two management company approach to a medical centre is beneficial for the remuneration of the practice. For example the consumables (wound dressings etc.) are purchased for the medical centre so when a patient/company pays for the visit to the doctor, a percentage is retained for the management company who supplied these goods. There are several ways to set this up.
Payroll & Bookkeeping
Payroll and Bookkeeping: Direct and coordinate a practice’s financial and budget activities in order to fund operations, maximize investments and increase efficiencies.
- Contract review and negotiation i.e both Contractors and Serviced Office Agreements
- Bookkeeping services for medical practices
- Review and negotiation of contracts and agreements with suppliers
- Development of annual budget
- Expense review
- Monitor accounts receivable (A/R) including billing/collections process
- Prepare and review monthly YTD income/expense budget
- Explanation of budget variances
- Debt restructuring and review of loan terms
- Analysis of financial performance of ancillary programs
Buy And Sell Medical Practices
Whether you are selling or buying a medical practice, we can offer a right financial solution for you! At Nicky Jardine, we specialise in sourcing financial solutions for buying and selling medical practices. With our vast experience and knowledge, we can assist with a smooth and stress-free transaction. Being one of the leading financial brokers in the health industry, we understand that when buying a Brownfield site or looking to establish a Greenfield site there are many issues to consider, the main ones will be cost, location and lifestyle.
At Nicky Jardine, we specialise in medical business sale, financing and practice appraisal. Our team of practice appraisers and brokers provide complete guidance during the business selling process. Our practice purchase financing process is exclusively for health care professionals and doctors. We understand that buying or selling a medical business is a challenging process, from negotiation to the signing of the contract can be quite complicated. With our years of experience, we have helped and assisted a number of allied health professionals and doctors to buy their medical practice in both Brownfield and Greenfield sites.
We are accredited with the leading financiers in Australia and can provide guidance on completing a standard business plan to ensure you get a suitable and competitive funding structure.
Virtual Practice Management
Virtual Practice Management for General Practitioners, Specialists and Allied Health professionals
Whether you’re starting a new practice, you or your staff are on annual leave, or you are retiring, using the Virtual Practice Management services provided by Nicky Jardine Business Health Solutions can give you peace of mind and a first class professional service for your practice and patients.
Nicky Jardine’s team are excellent communicators and using the latest technologies and experienced talent, your patients, staff and practitioners are treated with care and respect. All of the Nicky Jardine staff are either currently working or have worked recently in the health industry.
A service is also offered to specialists where the team can organise appointments to meet General Practices in their area and organise a professional, ethical marketing campaign.
A virtual office can save you money in rent, staff wages and equipment. Contact Nicky Jardine today to discuss your office needs.
What’s Your Current Situation?
Click below to see what Nicky Jardine can do for your practice.
Starting Up
Where to begin?
There is much to consider before opening the doors of your practice and these are some of the things that you may need;
- Formation of business plans and selection of quality business services and material suppliers
- Interior design, fit-out and purchasing of medical equipment and furniture
- Credentialing process with APHRA and Medicare Australia as well as Medicare and Veteran Affairs agreements
- Formation of legal entity and assistance with all aspects of financial planning including loan assistance with banks and finance companies
- Registration of PIP, WIP and other Government Departments to acquire Grants
- Selection of practice management services, a workflow of office operation processes and establishment of a fee schedule
- Evaluation and coordination of IT, telephony, software and hardware needs
- Development of compliance policies, online practice manuals, encounter forms and all applicable forms
- Assistance with recruiting/selection of medical and support staff with the right skill sets
- Staff training with medical software and practice policies and initiation of payroll and bookkeeping services
- Broad marketing campaign for practice opening, and creation of online and onsite presence through website and signage
- Organising of hospital privileges if required
Read more about medical practice setup here.
Just Opened
Off to a smooth start
Opening the doors of a medical practice brings with it the reality of running a medical centre, so the following can be utilised in the initial stages of your business;
- Hands-on training and mentoring of all reception staff
- Prompt problem-solving support for the office manager and staff members
- Liaising with staff and IT to resolve software and hardware issues
- Assessment and adjustments to office operation processes
- Paid advertising campaigns through Google Ads and Social Media
- Expanding of website content and SEO activities
- Physical promotional material to introduce services to public and local businesses
- Organising design, construction and approval from council for building signage
Read more about practice management here.
Growing Quickly
Time to Consolidate
It’s great that the practice has grown and everyone is busy, but keeping up with the pace will require working smart rather than just hard;
- Studying financial data and developing a solid budget to help better manage cash flow
- Organising and offering of ongoing professional development for staff
- Implementation of mentoring and coaching groups
- Assist management in the preparation and steering of meetings
- Process and procedures streamlining based upon groups and meeting feedback
- Monitoring waste management and disposal to develop strategies for improvement
- Medical supply cost reduction and setting up of orders, deliveries and returns tracking
- Assessment of current marketing for redistribution of advertising budget
Read more about GP practice consulting here.
Needing Growth
Room To Improve
Even an established medical practice can have its client base or caseloads plateau but there are ways to move forward;
- Analysis of business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
- Practice audit for financial leaks and revising management of cash-flow
- Monitoring of accounts receivable including billing and collections processes
- Surveying of current patients to determine the potential of new services and to meet patient needs
- Create a point of difference through supporting GP’s in expanding their skills and qualifications
- Initiate one on one evaluation of all staff with ongoing feedback and support
- Investigate areas to refresh such as software, decor, practice processes and customer skills training
- Review of current marketing and seeking promotional opportunities
Read more about GP practice consulting here.
Ready To Expand
How To Build?
When a practice is moving along nicely it’s wise to take that breathing space to formulate a plan for the next steps towards profitable growth;
- Review and negotiation of contracts and agreements with suppliers
- Research and offering of new or improved services
- Prepare and review monthly income/expense budget
- Increase effectiveness and efficiency of on the job training
- Invest in external clinical education and training teams
- Market the success of the practice to attract new doctors and big quality support staff
- Marketing to new geographic areas via social media and Google advertising
Read more about GP practice consulting here.
Looking to sell
Succession Planning
Selling a medical business is a challenging process and requires a variety of professionals throughout the process for a stress-free transaction;
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- Assistance and advice from negotiation to the signing of the contract
- Engaging practice appraisers and brokers to provide complete guidance
- Organising legal advice for the sale process
- Assisting with the finalising of financial matters
- Transferring or closing down of social media and online presence
Read more about GP practice consulting here.
GP Jobs
Taking That Next Step Or Striking Out On Your Own?
With over 30 years of health industry experience, Nicky and her team are well-placed for medical practice recruitment.
Nicky has a range of GP jobs and medical practice positions available, while those looking to set up a medical practice can choose from a range of commercial leases.
A full list of jobs and lease opportunities is available here.