Issue 2 - January 2003

Take care if setting up M-D practice

Chiropractors can run into problems if they take shortcuts and incorrectly structure and run their multi-discipline practice, says Marc H. Sencer, MD, who has set up six multi-discipline practices. Here are the steps he recommends taking if you are considering expanding into this type of practice:

1. Understand your motives. Why do you want to get into this type of practice? “Are you sure you are ready to make the commitment in time and money?” Sencer asks. That should be a prime question to ask yourself.

2. Hire experts to help. Sencer recommends a knowledgeable healthcare attorney, an accountant and a consultant.

To evaluate a consultant, Sencer advises interviewing the consultant thoroughly to make sure “you make a good match. Be sure the consultant knows your vision for your practice and he is able to provide you with the services you need.”

Take time to find a qualified healthcare attorney, he says. “You will need a good healthcare attorney who is experienced in setting up this type of practice in your state. This is not a job for your brother-in-law who helped with the closing on your house!”

3. Create your corporate structure. Answering this question will help determine the types of specialists you will want in your practice.

4. Hire the specialists and additional staffing. You may already have specialists in mind, but if you don’t, consider using a medical staffing service. “All professionals must be screened, interviewed, trained in your office protocols and undergo rigorous background checks,” says Sencer. “Make sure your consultant can help you with these things.”

5. Learn the new systems. Running a multi-discipline practice is different from running a chiropractic practice. Everyone needs to master the new systems and charts, says Sencer.

Source: Marc H. Sencer, MD, owns and manages a multi-specialty pain management group practice with offices in Pompano Beach and Boca Raton, FL. He is also the founder of MDs for DCs, a medical staffing company. He can be reached at 800-916-1462 or mdsfordc@cs.com.