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.
post construction cleaning Deerfield ..-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More
Franchising is the fastest way to build small businesses, provide... Read More
To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
The American system of business management has been admired and... Read More
Where would a business be without a business plan? A... Read More
A successful joint venture marketing effort is the goal of... Read More
How often has someone thought of starting a business based... Read More
Auto detailers are often asked to clean boats and detail... Read More
All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More
At one point or another, almost every business runs short... Read More
Database Problems in MarketingI have been working on a direct... Read More
In the book Women and Small Business author gives all... Read More
Why does consistency in the message have an effect on... Read More
The home-based business market, sometimes called the SOHO (small-office/home-office) market,... Read More
Are the promoters and consultants destroying the market for Reverse... Read More
In general, all of us know how to accomplish the... Read More
Congratulations, you are starting a small business! You are taking... Read More
Let me get right to the point. The single most... Read More
How do you make sure you have the business solutions... Read More
As a home business proprietor, you may already realize why... Read More
You can provide affordable health care plans to your employees.... Read More
As you may know, there are many ways to incorporate... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
First, we need to define the different kinds of skip... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..A career coach could be simply defined your job seeking... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
Many ventures are faced with the challenging task of raising... Read More
When we speak of branding most of the time people... Read More
Where do you find more customers?How do you compete with... Read More
The Workers' Compensation situation in this country is unbelievable. Why,... Read More
When is it a good thing to say no to... Read More
Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More
One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More
There's been a recent rise in the number of elderly... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
Business card size works well for invitations to special events.What... Read More
Many self employed professionals find themselves overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused... Read More
It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
Every home business has the same problem of how to... Read More
When is advice free and when should you charge for... Read More
You may be in Mail Order, Direct Mail, or you... Read More
Have you been searching for the perfect home-based business? I... Read More
How do window cleaning franchise businesses start? It is a... Read More
If you run a pressure washing business it is a... Read More
Do you know what your genius work is? It's the... Read More
Here are just a few ways to increase and diversify... Read More
Announcements can be handed out as a business cardAnnouncements can... Read More
Small Business |