How to Start Treating Private Patients Without the Fear of Making a Mistake
Treating patients is easy- you know that. You have graduated from graduate school and have been working successfully in your chosen field. Now you’re ready to take it a step further, but it’s the fear of making a mistake that is slowing you down. That’s why I’m going to take you step-by-step, lead you by the hand and walk you through every process you need to do to set up and run your private patient business.
When you’ve followed what I’ve laid out for you here, you’ll be on your way to helping more people… making more money… and having more time and energy for yourself and your family.
Think of every risk you’ve ever taken in your life:
- learning how to drive
- going off to college
- taking your current job
With every risk, you educated yourself on the pro’s and con’s and made the most informed decision you could. In this case, I want you to weigh the pro’s and con’s again- but what I want you to closely examine is your con’s list. What is on there? Are they realistic fears or can they be conquered by education, planning in advance and being organized about your practice?
If I have the resources to teach you step-by-step about those fear areas:
- taxes
- liability insurance
- documentation
- billing
- getting referrals
You need to ask yourself, what is stopping you?
Remember, you already have the clinical skills, all you need is the information and confidence and that is what The Independent Clinician provides you with.
Here’s what you need to do…
You need to build your knowledge-base and confidence.
The best way to tackle any new situation is to learn as much as you can, then try it and learn how to do it better next time. I recommend that you use the available resources to learn more about treating private patients and then take on one or two private clients WHILE staying at your current job.
Decide for yourself how many patients you might want to see. It may just be a few per week or during the summer. Once you build your confidence and caseload, you will be better equipped to take on additional clients.
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Read The Book
When I was first interested in treating privately I had Rick and Kathryn to bounce ideas off of. I also wanted to have a step-by-step guidebook that would teach me anything that they might have left out.
To my surprise, no book on how to treat private patients existed, so I wrote one.
The Independent Clinician Guide to Private Patients is both a step-by-step guidebook for getting started and growing your private patient business AND a history of where I started and what my personal experiences has been.
eBook and Coil Bound Books Available
The Chapters contained in the book cover:
1. Professional Liability Insurance
2. Documentation 101
3. Marketing Your Private Patient Business
4. Business Skills & Mindset
5. Money! Set Your Hourly Rate & Track Your Income
6. Becoming a Health Insurance Provider
7. Taxes and Tax Deductions
8. Promote Yourself Online- For Free!
** PLUS Bonus Material **
***Both the eBook and Coil Bound Book will pay for themselves in ONE private treatment session***
Read the Blog
I started the website as a companion to the book. Each week, either I or a guest writer gives helpful suggestions, tips, inspirational stories or other information that is beneficial for you as you start or expand your private patient business. We also have links to connect with fellow SLP’s, OT’s and PT’s through our:
New posts come out each week, so make sure you’re on our mailing list- we don’t want you to miss any information about treating private patients!
Get Mentored By Jena
I was lucky to have Kathryn and Rick mentor me. I realize that not everyone has someone to bounce ideas off of and help them begin or expand their private patient business.
If you’re looking for someone to help you, let me help you. I realize that the fee might be steep for some people, but it will pay for itself in just a few sessions. If you have a special circumstance or situation that you want help with, paying for two mentoring sessions can lead to a lifetime of professional and personal rewards for you
Taking The Leap
If you’re just getting started and need a gentle push, here is some information that can help you get the information and confidence you crave:
o Private Patients: What Are You Waiting For?
o Inspiration to Start Treating Private Patients
o New Years Resolution: Start Treating Private Patients
o Goal Setting: What Are YOUR Goals for Treating Privately?
o Got a Question About Private Speech, Occupational or Physical Therapy?
Generating Referrals
You can’t treat private patients if you don’t have any to treat. These easy to implement suggestions will help with your marketing and referral efforts- and save you valuable time and money!
o 11 Ways I Market My Private Patient Business
o Business Cards for Private Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Providers
o Free Advertising: Add Your SLP/OT/PT Private Practice to Our Directory
o Setting Up A Private Practice in a New City
o Private Patient Marketing Tip: Post on PT/OT/SLP Forums
o Resources Jena Uses for Marketing
The In’s and Out’s of Private Therapy
You already know how to be a therapists- I’m not here to teach you anything about your clinical skills. These articles will help you learn more about how to actually conduct sessions, what materials to use, etc. to help you in your business.
0 Private Therapy Session Length
o “Myriad of Materials” For Your Private Patient Business
o A Simple “Thank You” For Your Private Patients
Money and Taxes
Everyone is afraid of setting their hourly rate and paying taxes. These posts will help you figure out the financial aspects of treating privately (these issues are covered extensively in the book).
o Results of Our SLP/OT/PT Salary Survey
o Therapy Materials are Tax Deductible!
o Tax Deduction Tip for Private Therapists: Learn How I Deducted $708.75 in 2010!
Need inspiration? Read these Success Stories
We all like to look to the successes of others to see what is possible. Many clinicians have shared their personal stories with Independent Clinician readers. These are everyday SLP’s, OT’s and PT’s who decided to change their lives by changing the lives of others. Be inspired- I am.
o My First Private Patient: Jena’s Story
o From School Speech Therapist to Successful Private Practice Owner: Rhonda’s Story
The next step…
Here are some posts for those who are more advanced and looking to expand their private patient business.
o Freshbooks: A Great Resource for Billing SLP, OT and PT Visits
o Billing Medicaid vs. Medicare
o How I Found a New Niche for My Private Patient Business
Each of the above posts have helped therapists just like you start and succeed with their private patient business. Make sure you don’t miss the next post by signing up for the newsletter today!
Rebecca,
Yes! The forms are general enough that they apply to all 3 disciplines. When you purchase (either the eBook or coil bound copy), I make the forms available in Microsoft Word format so that you can personalize them to your practice.
Pre-schoolers are a great market for several reasons:
1.) Parents are often very worried about their childs skills and what will happen when they get to first grade. Whether you're working on fine motor, sensory or other pediatric OT needs, this is a great time to help kids catch up or prevent them from falling behind
2.) This is a great time to help bridge the gap between EI and school services
3.) Depending on the parents work schedule, pre-schoolers may have parents with flexible schedules, which is nice for you :-)
Hope this helps. Best of luck!
Jena
I am interested in starting my own business: possibly telepractice. Are there any seminars I can attend to learn about setting one up or do you include that in your book?
Angela,
Thank you so much for your question! While the Independent Clinician Guide to Private Patients does not specifically address how to start your own telepractice business, it is part of the realm of treating private patients, so there is some overlap. I did write a post on my experiences with telepractice:http://independentclinician.com/telepractice-a-new...
Additionally, I'm not sure if you're an SLP, OT or PT, but here are a few links that you might find beneficial: http://www.asha.org/practice/telepractice/Teleprac... and www.coto.org/pdf/publications/Brochure_Telepractice.pdf
There are also several therapists who are active on the Independent Clinician Facebook page who are using telepractice as part of their practice- feel free to ask them about their experiences.
Best of luck!
Jena
I'm recently not working in the professional setting and I'm very interested in trying to "start my own business". I'm an SLP....and just looking for advice! I have my own NPI and I was at one point in time a provider for BCBS I believe. Would love any advice you could give me...THANKS!!!!
Tara,
Fantastic! If you already have an NPI number and have some experience as a private health insurance provider, you're already off to a good start! My advice is to start with 1-2 private clients and work up from there as time and referrals allow. You can start with private pay patients (easiest) but can become a health insurance provider if you're looking to generate additional referrals.
I'd suggest that you check out some of the suggestions listed above on the page How You Can Start for some helpful advice on getting your own private patient business up and running.
I wish you luck with your private patient success!
Jena
I am interested in purchasing this book, but will the forms be applicable for me as an o.t? Also I am thinking of marketing to preschools will this book still be helpful? Thank you for your help. Best, Rebecca
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