Medical Office Start-Up Checklist
By Joy Hicks, About.com Guide
Welcome to the Start-Up Medical Office Checklist! Here you will find some tips to help you start-up a new medical office or reorganize an existing one.
- Before you begin....
- Medical Office Assessment
- Office Policy & Procedures
- Health Information Technology (HIT)
- Human Resources
Before you begin....
The process of starting a Medical Office can be a difficult task but with the proper planning, you can have your Medical Office up and running effectively and efficiently. The decisions you make now are crucial as you set your goals regarding every aspect of your Medical Office.
- The Startup Business Plan
- Develop a Strategic Plan
- Insurance Credentialing
- Obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI)
- Provider Enrollment
Medical Office Assessment
Usually managers and administrators only consider performing an assessment when the medical office is in financial trouble, however, an assessment can be done any time to evaluate your overall performance. Performing an assessment now can prevent costly consultant fees later.
- Patient Flow
- Workflow and Productivity
- Managed Care Contracts
- Occupational and Environmental Safety
- Adverse Medical Events
Office Policy & Procedures
There are many aspects of business and operational processes that are necessary for the proper function of your Medical Office. Although your Medical Office has its own unique needs, there are some that are essential to providing quality care.
Health Information Technology (HIT)
The utilization of health information technology will assist the medical office in improving the overall quality of health care by providing more effective administrative processes, reducing health care costs, and improving the privacy of patient information.
- Billing Software Features
- Selecting Electronic Health Record (EHR) Software
- Medical Office Related Product Reviews
Human Resources
As everyone knows, first impressions are lasting ones. The first impressions your customers receive about your medical practice are often from your office staff making them crucial to the success of your organization.