A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 5 9
We see our clinic as a way to offer convenient care to patients. At the same
time, the model can be quite lucrative, as it acts as an ongoing source of revenue
for surgical referrals and follow-up care. If patients come in with fractured wrists,
you stabilize them, treat their pain and triage them to an orthopedic specialist
who can provide them with the appropriate care. Considering the profit potential,
it's easy to see why orthopedic urgent care has become so popular, but running
one successfully requires a lot of planning and introspection. My suggestions:
• Have a plan. First, examine your target market closely, as some markets
might not welcome the addition of an urgent care center due to either oversatu-
ration or unique market dynamics. Also, start the contracting process with pay-
ers as much as 6 months before the planned opening. You'll find that payers
are
increasingly requiring certification and/or accreditation as part of their contract-
ing process.
Consultants who specialize in this area can lead you through everything from
navigating the regulatory rules to billing in order to maximize collections. Also,
some urgent care franchisors offer turnkey marketing and operational guidance,
but if you go that route, expect to spend several hundred thousand dollars on fran-
chise fees and other related costs.
• Secure funding and staffing. The Urgent Care Association of America rec-
ommends earmarking about $800,000 if you're building an urgent care from
scratch. This should account for startup costs, as well as 3 months of operating
expenses until you start receiving reimbursements from payers.
For staffing, you'll need experienced physician assistants, supervised by a
team of orthopedic surgeons. The PAs will likely see and treat all nonsurgical
patients, supported by a team of medical assistants, cast technicians and X-ray
technicians, as well as front-desk personnel. The square footage adds up, too.
Figure on a footprint of 2,300 to 3,000 square feet, with dedicated space for
exam rooms, casting and on-site imaging (X-rays and MRIs).
• Develop a marketing strategy. Being an ortho-only urgent care center
