By Joseph Costello, DC, DABCO
Despite physicians’ dedication to their profession, there are still financial and clinical challenges that must be met.
In these challenging economic times, addressing declining insurance reimbursements and finding better outcomes for patients has become a main concern.
Properly integrating a laser program into your practice using High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) on a cash basis can not only help deliver better outcomes, it could enhance your bottom line and help heal your financial worries.
The emerging field of HPLT offers you the ability to transform your facility into a specialty practice. HPLT also offers the ability to treat medical conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, disc pathology, spinal stenosis, severe degenerative joint disease, and even nonhealing wounds.
In order to reap the benefits of a cash-based therapy, you need to deliver results equal to the rewards you are seeking.
Basic scientific principals
HPLT is an actinotherapy that results in chemical and metabolic changes at the cellular level, which enables you to accelerate the healing of human tissue.1 Provided it’s delivered in a safe and precise manner, HPLT delivers virtually no side effects.
When looking at HPLT, another factor to look at is the wavelength of the energy emitted. A study from the University of Toledo Medical School documented using a 980nm wavelength of energy, which, according to the study, is best-suited to stimulate tissue regeneration and proliferation.2
Using sophisticated computer models, they also determined how laser energy penetrated through human tissue. From this and other studies, it was proved that 60 percent to 70 percent of all laser energy is absorbed in the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Because every layer of tissue absorbs more and more laser energy, it is important to start a treatment with a high enough dosage of energy so there will always be a bio-stimulatory dosage available at every level of tissue you are trying to heal.
Fundamentals of success
A successful cash laser practice needs to be built on technology that can function as a stand-alone modality, and at the end of the day also deliver results. Remember, patients will pay out of pocket to get results.
Most doctors who move in this direction eventually learn that the cash-paying patients expect results almost immediately because they are responsible
for payment. In order to meet this expectation, you not only need the appropriate laser, you also need proper training. That’s why it’s recommended that you and your staff attend seminars and seek out practice management solutions in order to move forward.
With HPLT, other than a warm sensation, the treatment is painless. Once a patient sees an improvement, they will likely stick with the treatment plan, and, as a result, will be eager to refer friends and family.
Economic factors
Revenues generated from laser patients can be substantial and can typically exceed those generated by traditional insurance practices. The national average for laser specialty practices ranges between $5 a minute to $10 a minute, with treatment times ranging from 10 minutes to 20 minutes for the majority of conditions, but can be as long as 30 minutes for peripheral neuropathy.
Treatment plans generally range from six to15 visits, which can potentially generate $750 to $5,000, depending on the case.
Despite best efforts, some patients require maintenance doses periodically in order to keep chronic intractable pain manageable. Maintenance doses can range from one visit a month to four visits per year.
Because of HPLT’s effectiveness, safety, and ability to treat a wide range of conditions, you can discover success in treating and marketing to an abundance of patients. In order to draw patients, however, advertising is essential.
Also remember, cash-based therapies in practices are not at the mercy of insurance companies which means 100 percent of services billed
can be collected — so your time can be better spent in practicing and getting the results you and your patients expect.
If you’re looking for a program which can change the way you practice as well as potentially give you financial freedom and success, consider implementing HPLT into your practice.
Joseph Costello, DC, DABCO is the chief of clinical services for Avicenna Laser Technology as well as clinic director of the Avicenna Laser Therapy Center of Excellence — a patient treatment center in West Palm Beach, Fla. He can be reached at 561-248-7120 or laserdoc2@mac.com.
References
1. Skopin, Mark D. and Molitor, Scott C. “Effects of Infrared Laser Exposure in a Cellular Model of Wound Healing”; Department of Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio.
2. Skopin, Mark D. and Molitor, Scott C. noted as in Reference 1.
Bookmark this page
Comments