Chiropractic Patient Care Plan
Monday, August 24th, 2009The first step for converting a Prospex into a Patient is the first visit: CONP Examination and Full Spine X-rays. This visit is critical to determine the care your patient will need in other to enjoy a healthier and more active lifestyle.
After you have reviewed the “test” results and read the x-rays, the next step is to determine the care the patient will need to optimize their desired outcome.
Now, most people would like a single adjustment… delivered by mail. But, the reality is that most people who visit your office have spinal health issues that have been building over years… often since childhood.
Once you know what the patient needs, the next step is to create a plan for all products and services the patient will need to live a life free of pain.
Depending on your philosophy, this could include chiropractic adjustments, stem therapy, massage therapy, rehabilitation sessions, orthotics, decompression, nutrition and back/neck products from pillows to mattresses.
Once you have developed a plan, next is to assign your fee schedule to the program of care. Next, after verification of benefits, you apply the expected insurance reimbursement. The balance is the responsibility of the patient.
At this point, you have a decision to make. Offer the patient a fee for service plan allowing the patient to pay as they go or a plan payment option.
If you want to deliver the best results for your patient, the plan payment plan is your best option. With a fee for service mindset, the patient can elect to drop our of care “when they feel better.” If your PVA is below 40, then you are probably using a fee for service model of care.
People vote with their feet and as soon as they feel better and getting a good night’s sleep, they begin to miss appointments and become unresponsive to your recall efforts. You lose the insurance benefits and the co-payments, co-insurance and optional patient services.
On the other hand, “package” the plan to include your recommendations and collect the plan balance from the patient… offering an incentive for prepayment… and you greatly enhance the probability that the patient will remain under care for the optimum care that you have created.
If the patient does not have insurance benefits, then a care plan is your best option.
By having patients “purchase” the plan, you have improved patient compliance and have less difficulty holding the patient accountable to their agreed program of care.
Not everyone will accept a prepayment care plan, but, more will than you imagine. But, you must offer it to enjoy the benefits of moving from fee for service to a program of care plan.
By: Lawton Howell
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