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.
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry... Read More
If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard... Read More
Writing a business plan for your Solo Entrepreneur business doesn't... Read More
As a specialist in getting restaurants open, it is surprising... Read More
Every business plan book tells you how the Executive Summary... Read More
It's the dream of every person who starts a business... Read More
If an organization lacks a mission statement, it is worthwhile... Read More
That's right ? are you making enough mistakes in your... Read More
The success of your business is critically dependent on how... Read More
You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
Starting a business? For many people, the bravery to venture... Read More
How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
As the owner or an employee of a small-to medium-sized... Read More
If you really want to earn more money with your... Read More
Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often... Read More
You bet it's worth it. Publicity via news releases, along... Read More
Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More
One of the greatest pitfalls in e-commerce is Field of... Read More
Am I the only one that does not have an... Read More
Introduction: This article is written as a general discussion on... Read More
Pet Transportation Services are needed as the number of pets... Read More
Franchising companies often use Business Broker to help attain sales... Read More
If you interviewed business owners of failed businesses, a majority... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..We're birds of a feather, public relations and small business.... Read More
The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More
The efficiency of debt collection is the difference between a... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission is upgrading the franchise law and... Read More
Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More
Like most regulatory bodies in the United States, the Federal... Read More
When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big... Read More
Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More
BioTechs even with the latest news had shed over 1000... Read More
Many mobile pressure-washing companies turn to government contacts to make... Read More
So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More
If you are a small business you know that you... Read More
A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More
Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
Is it right for you?If you decide to advertise your... Read More
I meet and talk to hundreds and hundreds of business... Read More
As small business owners we're in business to make money... Read More
Increase your profit potential by identifying ? and avoiding ?... Read More
How do you find groups that are in need of... Read More
The book, "Become the Squeaky Wheel," by New Hampshire author... Read More
Incorporation in Nevada has become an attractive option for savvy... Read More
Do you own a franchised business? Over 400,000 franchised businesses... Read More
Yes, that IS security when nobody can downsize you because... Read More
Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More
Small Business |