In the dynamic world of running a practice, Dr. Sandy, the owner of Freedom Health & Wellness, found herself at an impasse. Over the past six months, her meetings with the practice team—consisting of Maria, John, Diane, and Rob—had turned into echo chambers.
To cultivate an expansive state of mind versus a contracted state, you can take specific action steps that influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
As chiropractors, we understand the importance of alignment—not just in the spine, but in our mindset and approach to practice management. Today, I want to delve into two crucial concepts that can shape the trajectory of your chiropractic practice: expansion vs. contraction thinking and abundance vs. scarcity mindset. These paradigms significantly impact how we operate, grow, and ultimately succeed.
As chiropractors, our mission extends beyond mere physical alignment; it’s about fostering holistic wellness for our patients. In these turbulent times, when the weight of the world seems heavier than ever, I want to introduce a transformative concept that has the potential to uplift not only our patients but ourselves as well: the practice of delight.
As chiropractors and practice managers, we are constantly striving to elevate our practices to new heights of success and patient satisfaction. One of the most powerful frameworks to help us achieve our goals is OKR+Ps, a refined approach to goal setting that integrates Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) with Projects (Ps). This framework not only ensures we have clear targets but also outlines the actionable steps to achieve them.
As chiropractors, we are dedicated to improving the health and wellness of our patients. However, the success of our practice relies not only on our clinical skills but also on our ability to manage and grow our practice effectively. At Breakthrough Coaching, we emphasize the importance of the three “Rs”: Reactivations, Retention, and Referrals. These core elements are essential for maintaining a thriving practice and ensuring long-term success. Let’s delve into each of these key components and explore how you can integrate them into your practice management strategy.
One fundamental financial practice that often gets overlooked, yet holds immense importance, is the separation of personal and business finances. By maintaining distinct bank accounts and credit cards for business transactions, small business owners can streamline bookkeeping processes, ensure accurate expense tracking, and foster clarity in financial management.
In the hustle and bustle of daily operations, it’s easy for chiropractic practice owners to focus primarily on traditional compensation packages—salary, health insurance, and retirement plans. Yet, with the average person spending one-third of their life at work, it’s crucial to create environments that not only provide financial stability but also foster emotional and psychological well-being. This broader view of compensation, known as the “emotional paycheck,” is becoming increasingly vital in attracting and retaining top talent.
In today’s chiropractic practices, fostering a harmonious and effective work environment is crucial. With four generations—Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers—making up the majority of the U.S. workforce, communication and behavioral norms vary widely. Understanding how to deliver critical feedback across these generational lines can enhance team cohesion and improve patient care.
In the dynamic world of chiropractic care, the journey from a solo practitioner to a successful practice owner ready to sell can be both exhilarating and challenging. As the CEO of Breakthrough Coaching, I’ve had the privilege of guiding countless chiropractors through this transformative process. One key principle I’ve observed is that the foundation of success lies in building robust systems. These systems pave the way for effective delegation, foster specialization, enhance team building, and ultimately enable scaling and selling your practice.
As chiropractic employers, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest regulations affecting your practice. One significant update is the Final Rule on Independent Contractor classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This rule helps determine whether a worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor. Here’s what you need to know to ensure compliance and make informed decisions for your practice.
In the pursuit of building high-performing teams and nurturing exceptional leadership, one book stands out as a beacon of insight and guidance: Patrick Lencioni’s “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.” Within its pages lies a roadmap to not only understanding the intricacies of team dynamics but also to unlocking the true potential of collective greatness.
In the realm of your practice and business in general, it’s a well-worn adage that change is the only constant. Yet, despite its inevitability, implementing change within a team can often feel like trying to navigate a stormy sea. Resistance to change is a natural human response, akin to the instinctive recoil from a sudden gust of wind. However, as leaders, it’s our responsibility to not only weather these storms but to guide our teams through them with grace and purpose.
Today, I want to delve into the cornerstone principles that can truly elevate your chiropractic practice to new heights. These principles are not just theoretical concepts but actionable strategies that can transform the way you engage with your patients and colleagues. I call them the Three Cs: Communication, Collaboration, and Consistency.
The Final Rule becomes effective 120 days after publication in the Federal Register. During that time, we expect trade associations and businesses across the country to challenge the Final Rule and seek an injunction against it. In fact, two lawsuits have already been filed. We expect at least some of the challenges to be successful because any final rule in which the FTC claims authority to ban restrictive covenants is not likely to withstand constitutional scrutiny. We recommend waiting at the minimum 120 days post publication of the Final Rule and the results of the lawsuits against it.
CMS published the calendar year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Many clinicians will realize a 3.37% cut in reimbursement fees for 2024. In addition, the 2% sequestration fee cut is still in place. The Medicare Part B deductible is $240. The AMA and ACA have filed complaints with CMS, saying that inflation, rising overhead costs, and COVID-19 fallout have created a burden for physicians. Historically, Congress has intervened at the beginning of the calendar year to lessen the looming cuts. Congress is convened until January 9, 2024, and has not addressed this problem before going into recess. We don’t know if they will address this, but even if they do the results may not come until late January or early February. Due to the current uncertainty, we are recommending the following: Participating Providers: If you are a participating provider for Medicare, we encourage you to continue to bill Medicare at your normal fees. Your bills will be processed based on the appropriate fee schedule once it is released. Non-Participating Providers: You CANNOT opt out of Medicare. If you are NOT a participating provider for Medicare, we recommend that you either wait to submit your bills until we know if Congress will intervene, or submit your claims for services after January 1, 2024, using the currently published 2024 rates and inform your patients that additional amounts may be owed or require refunding.
Have you ever heard the saying “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”? This holds true for marketing your chiropractic practice as well. After the rush of the holiday season, take time to sit down outside of your regular office atmosphere and make a plan. Make a list of what you plan to do to build your practice in the upcoming year and check it twice. A well-thought-out plan is your best strategy to get exactly what you wish for in the year ahead.
Utilizing social media such as Facebook and Twitter will not bring new patients to your practice immediately, but not utilizing these marketing tools is definitely a way to turn off the new patient light bulb. Promote your Facebook Fan Page during holidays and make it personal by including the input of your practice team members. Take turns sharing personalized “healthy holiday” messages. This is an easy conversation to have, as the holidays are already at the top of everyone’s mind.