Opening a new chiropractic office: a survival guide

Unless you are experienced in opening a new chiropractic office, consider hiring a consultant or coach

Congratulations! Now that you’ve successfully graduated from chiropractic college and are about to embark on your new career, it’s time to open a new chiropractic office. But beware: It is vital to avoid making mistakes at this stage.

Opening a new chiropractic office is analogous to a poker tournament, where you go to the window and exchange your hard-earned cash for a stack of chips. When you sit at the table, everyone at that table, the table next to you, and the table 14 over from you are all eyeing and wanting your chips. And if you lose all of them, you are done and out of the tournament.

Starting a practice is much the same. You have a limited bankroll and everyone wants it: your accountant, lawyer, business coach, advertising partners, equipment manufacturers, the phone company, and all the people who want to sell you something.

So above all else, protect your bankroll as if your life depended on it. Because unless you have an endless source of funds, your practice will only survive as long as you can afford to maintain it.

Also, unless you are experienced in opening or buying a practice, consider hiring a consultant or coach to help you. The following tips will keep you pointed toward success.

Practice launch do’s:

Retain a business attorney

Hire a certified public accountant

Subscribe to professional journals to stay abreast of happenings in the profession

Hire a consultant or coach to guide you through the process

Use an insurance agent (for business, malpractice, business interruption, and own occupation-disability insurance)

Try to bank a minimum of one year’s expenses as working capital

Learn how to use accounting software like QuickBooks

Learn how to read profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and budgets

Make a checklist of all needed supplies when you’re opening a new chiropractic office

Ensure that your licenses are active

Use a realtor to find a location

Hire a coding and compliance expert

Consider purchasing an established practice instead of opening a new chiropractic office

Consider becoming an independent contractor

Practice launch don’ts:

Go into business being under-capitalized

Sign anything without first having an attorney review it

Be your own accountant or lawyer

Listen to well-meaning friends and family instead of hiring professional help

Be afraid of taking calculated risks

Go into your own practice if you don’t feel ready

Rush into a partnership

Discuss your dreams with anyone other than your trusted advisers

Allow your overhead to get too large

The professionals you hire can help you limit or avoid costly mistakes. You are entering the profession at the best of times and the worst of times. The best because people need and desire your care, and the worst because of new health care rules and regulations.

But as long as you can help sick patients get well, people will beat a path to your door. If you lack clinical certainty, take more courses and seminars until you do.

Measure twice, cut once

Opening a new chiropractic office can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life. The takeaway from the above is to do it correctly the first time.

Never be afraid to say you do not know something; and never be afraid to seek help. Never engage in any deal where you feel pressured to make a decision. Live by the motto: “There is another train every day.” In other words, opportunity will always present itself; you never have to fear missing out.