Paul Niemuth, PT, DSc, OCS, SCS, ATR treats a patient.

One unique benefit that physical therapists can use to create an exceptional guest experience is the collaborative approach of sharing information about their treatment techniques. This collaboration can help other therapists form their treatments and increase the likelihood of successful patient outcomes.

One clinic in our Wisconsin market is benefitting greatly from this information exchange. Amy Greenfield, PT, Clinic Director of Spooner Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists, is soaring due to networking with a close academic and professional mentor. Paul Niemuth, PT, DSc, OCS, SCS, ATR once owned and operated his own private practice clinics, and even convinced Amy to attend PT school at the College of St. Catherine, where he is a faculty member.

Now, their relationship has come full circle. Amy now operates her own clinic, and Paul is a part-time staff member who teaches new and different treatment techniques to the Spooner staff. He continues to remain current on the latest treatments, and presents a dynamic curriculum on spinal mobilization, ankle sprains and sports medicine. In fact, Paul's teachings have led Spooner to offer a tool-assisted myofascial release.

Amy said she appreciates the evolution in their relationship, from her time as a high school student to an actively practicing physical therapist. "It's a unique situation that I feel fortunate to have," she said. "It's been really cool to follow in his footsteps, and pay it forward."

 

An ergonomic garden in Nancy Nesbit, DPT, LAT, CSCS's neighborhood is shown.

One opportunity to market a practice is for a therapist to present themselves as an expert in the eyes of their consumer. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including performing a guest lecture, doing in-person demonstrations or authoring articles and columns in local media outlets.

Simply enough, a recent walk through her neighborhood helped a therapist in our northern Wisconsin market develop content for a published article. Nancy Nesbit, DPT, LAT, CSCS, Clinic Owner and Director of Back-n-Action Physical Therapy in Park Falls, was getting some exercise in her neighborhood when she spotted an interesting looking object. It turned out to be an ergonomic garden - essentially a garden inside a raised box that allowed the homeowner to not have to bend over and strain their back while working.

Knowing her local market, Nancy realized this new method of gardening would be well received in her community. She leveraged an existing relationship at her local newspaper and Chamber of Commerce and authored an article on how ergonomic gardening can be beneficial to patients with back, knee and hip problems, as well as arthritic and post-surgical patients. Nancy also posted literature in her clinic that explains the benefits of an ergonomic garden, and she makes patients who would benefit aware of the activity.

Richard Saia, PT, DPT displays his diploma.

The process of learning for any profession never stops, and the same is true for physical therapists. And with Vision 2020 on the horizon, all new providers will be held to an extremely high standard. This puts physical therapists at the forefront of medicine as being the most current and credible among their medical peers.

One therapist in our Illinois market recognized the value of continuous improvement and education for his patients. That led Richard Saia, PT, DPT, Clinic Director of Ace Physical Therapy, to recently earn a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Saint Louis University. Richard completed his coursework at night, in addition to running a busy practice full time. Richard said his motivation was being able to pick up new ideas and techniques, as well as improve his knowledge base for the benefit of his patients.

Now, Richard's education is helping him offer more to his community. As a result of his training, he reports a better understanding of clinical findings that he has seen over the years. Richard also says he looks at patients more holistically than ever before, a direct result of the paradigm change that accompanies a DPT education. As the PT profession moves more toward the goals of Vision 2020, Richard says he understands the change in thinking that must accompany the increase in DPT degrees - to PTs thinking more as being the first provider, not an ancillary one.

And the advice he would give to any therapists thinking about obtaining their DPT? "Go for it," he said. "It's fantastic to be able to complete and improve your knowledge base."

 

Contract audits ensure strong reimbursement

Hi, ! This Issue's Theme is: Go M.A.D. (Make a Difference)

 

Through their profession, therapists make a difference everyday. Whether it's changing patient's lives for the better, impacting their community or growing their clinic, therapists are in a unique position to influence the lives of others in a positive way.

 

Throughout our family of talent, we see much evidence of making a difference. Therapists continue to help each other set themselves apart in the community, as well as position themselves as experts and advance their knowledge. It is this dedication that truly makes a difference.

Nanovation: How a Little Car Can Teach the World to Think Big and Act Bold by Kevin Freiberg, Ph.D., Jackie Freiberg and Dain Dunston 

 

Click the book to purchase on Amazon.com

 

It's no secret that nationwide, there's a shortage of physical therapists. The explosion in demand for the profession has been seen as a positive opportunity to connect with consumers like never before and educate them on the benefits of physical therapy. Yet the growth in the ranks of PTs also can present some challenges when it comes to finding and hiring the best talent.  

 

 

It is no secret that the vitality of cash flow is dependent on the critical success factor of upfront collections. Upfront payments on patient co-pay and money towards the deductible is the patient's responsibility and obligation to the clinic, and is an expectation set by the patient's insurance carrier. However, a large volume of billing balances directly owed by patients has grown at an alarming pace.

The driving force in the rise of patient pay responsibility is the increase of insurance plans with high deductibles and high levels of co-insurance. Due to this, it is best to take a proactive stance of upfront collections at time of service versus pursuing patients for large balances in past due accounts several months later. 

 

Collection of money at the time of service is a critical indicator of good practice management and benefits both the patient, as well as the provider. It not only helps the patient manage a smaller, more affordable bill after graduation, but also assures the provider will obtain timely reimbursement.

Here are some tips on increasing upfront collections:  

 

* Patients are well informed of their co-pay or co-insurance responsibility from their employers; the verification of their benefits should be confirmed by the Front Desk Coordinator (FDC) on the first visit. Explaining a patient's Physical and Occupational benefits, as well as outlining the amount that will be expected at each visit, is very important in the success of upfront collections. FDCs should take the time to clarify the expectations proactively therefore reducing confusion through the billing and collection processes.  

 

* Another best practice is to put the expectations of the financial plan in writing, which can be accomplished nicely with a "Welcome Letter" on the patient's first visit.

* When scheduling for repeat visits, remind patients of their co-pay expectations.

* Stay consistent and compliant with the collection of up-front money to ensure prompt payment and to create good-standing with the patient. Patients will be pleased to know you are actively helping them stay out of larger medical debts by collecting upfront on services rendered.

Upfront collections are here to stay, and showing the value of physical or occupational therapy is important when asking patients to pay. The role of the front desk team for this task is key to the practice success. 

 

Should you like more information on this topic, view the web event "Effective Collection Techniques for the Non-Collector, Tips for Increasing Collections at the Front Desk" originally presented on August 9, 2011. The link to the recording can be found at www.RMSEducation.com.