If you have a busy private practice, chances are you also have pockets of cash lying around available for the plucking. It simply hasn't been collected yet, and may even have been overlooked. Here are 10 ways to increase your cash flow over the next 30 days.
Collect at the Time of Service
Include in your upfront discussions your expectations on payments. Establish that you are paid at the time of service. For services where payment plans are appropriate (for example, payments at key milestones), be clear from the start as to your expectations, then include them as part of your written agreement.
Step-Up Your Invoicing
There is really no reason to wait until the end of the month to bill, or for that matter, the end of the week. Get your invoice into the mail the day you provide the service. That includes insurance billings.
Follow-Up on Late Payments
Clients can get into the habit of paying late ? 30, 60 or even 90 days ? if they know that you will tolerate it.
Outsource Delinquent Payments
Payments that are overdue by 90 days are more than just "late". They are delinquent. Outsource these receivables and don't let them occur again.
Follow-Up on Potential Appointments
Do you have clients who "intend" to schedule an appointment but haven't called yet to do so? Perhaps they left your last meeting with a sincere intention to call back, or maybe whenever you see them they say "I've been meaning to call?" Call them now and get them on your appointment schedule.
Finish the Project or Service
Sometimes, all that's between you and a check is finishing the project, mailing the report, getting the signature or conducting that last routine visit so you can bill for it.
Re-Visit Your Appointment Scheduling Procedures
If you are one of those offices that routinely schedules the next appointment two weeks to four weeks away ? why? Eliminate time lapses. If you can handle everything in one visit ? and if there is no good reason for not doing so ? do it. If you need to have two or more separate appointments to finish providing the service, schedule them as close together as possible. It will keep the momentum going with the project?and make your billing date sooner.
Handle Appeals and Requests for Reviews Weekly
Sure, these things take time and talent to handle properly, but putting them off for weeks just delays your income from a service that's already been provided.
Consider Down-Payments
Retainers, down-payments or other forms of upfront payments can boost your cash flow while securing a real commitment from your client to follow-through with the full service to which they have agreed. And don't forget to collect your co-pays at the time of service.
Promote Your Products
If you have a product that you make available to your clients, don't keep it a secret. Display it, talk about it, recommend it and, where appropriate, use or demonstrate its use during the visit. This goes for everything from dental care kits to nutritional supplements, to office supplies, special workbooks, kits, tools, books, forms or any other product that you sell.
Tighten Your Financial Policies
Use these ways to increase your cash flow, and while you are at it, go ahead and tighten your financial policies so that these things become the norm. Pockets of cash lying around don't add to your bottom line. You have to pick them up in order to count them in?or to spend them.
For more articles like this on Marketing and Business Development for your private practice, visit the Private Practice Marketing Roundtable at http://www.privatepracticemarketingroundtable.com.
About the Author
Dianne E. Dawson, M.A., has worked with business owners worldwide to develop and implement strategies to bring in new clients and to increase business profitability.
She works with self-employed professionals who believe that their private practice has reached a plateau ? it's stuck! ? and what they really want is to make their business "top of mind" and achieve greater profits and financial reward. She can be reached at http://www.privatepracticemarketingroundtable.com.
You may download free Marketing Strategy Tools to grow your business when you visit the Private Practice Marketing Roundtable.
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..1. Leadership Is Learned ? While many people appear to... Read More
When working from home, it is usual to find that... Read More
The key to organizational focus and helping those who need... Read More
How do you know when an alliance needs to be... Read More
One of the biggest fears people have about starting a... Read More
Many experienced auto detailing professionals who have started out using... Read More
Am I the only one that does not have an... Read More
Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More
In the summer, I can't drive two blocks without seeing... Read More
Traditional advertising methods are still being used for almost 90%... Read More
Many pressure washing companies will be glad to take on... Read More
No matter how small your small business is, it is... Read More
Due to the over regulation in the Franchising Industry and... Read More
If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More
Think of your business as a living, breathing, organism. It... Read More
In my 18 years of consulting I have heard it... Read More
Do you have all the customers your business can use?The... Read More
You make the decision to go into business and for... Read More
Your product is dying. With the same inevitability that we... Read More
Aircraft Interiors of personal and corporate jets have hundreds of... Read More
There are countless ways to save your business money. Unfortunately,... Read More
Treat your business as a serious, full-time business and be... Read More
There are almost as many opinions and views on marketing... Read More
Increase your profit potential by identifying ? and avoiding ?... Read More
Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
"So what?" is a lovely question.It can lead to a... Read More
KEEPING INTEREST HIGH: Supervision is key to the success of... Read More
Experts urge small business owners to "brand" their business ?... Read More
It's just like a marriageTo expect a bank manager or... Read More
The air in my client's office nearly crackled with her... Read More
Search Engines account for almost 90% of all web traffic!In... Read More
Many have not experienced a fire up close. One year... Read More
As an entrepreneur you can learn a lot by following... Read More
Remember the training programs, seminars, and workshops you had to... Read More
Becoming a contractor or sub-contractor for the U.S. government can... Read More
How do window cleaning franchise businesses start? It is a... Read More
As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More
You bet it's worth it. Publicity via news releases, along... Read More
Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More
Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to... Read More
Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More
Do you have all the customers your business can use?The... Read More
Sexual Harassment is a disturbing part of employment life in... Read More
If you're just ramping up your small business email newsletter,... Read More
1. Have A Strong Constitution ? Justices deliver decisions by... Read More
You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of... Read More
Some of the greatest words of wisdom for any man... Read More
Increase your profit potential by identifying ? and avoiding ?... Read More
Many companies wish to expand and a few wish to... Read More
Small Business |