Author Topic: RE: Practice Start up  (Read 3988 times)

DavidZ

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 79
RE: Practice Start up
« on: October 21, 2009, 11:54:34 AM »
Any sample contract language to be used for practice start up?
Things to be included in the contract.

Pay_My_Claims

  • Guest
Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2009, 04:02:07 PM »
if you think it COULD happen, it will.........cover all areas. no 2 contracts are the same.

PMRNC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4562
    • One Stop Resources & Networking for Medical Billers
Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2009, 09:25:32 PM »
Hee Hee that's exactly what I did when I created my first real contract.

Step 1.  IGNORE, Throw Out Or use as bird cage lining, all the sample contracts floating around the internet.. IMO it's Irresponsible to have them up there to begin with No contract under 4 pages is going to cover you it's just bird cage lining. sorry to be so blunt.

Step 2. I created all the possible Pessimistic Situations I could come up with in a list of sorts.[Hint] my list was 7 pages long.

Step 3. Contacted a friend who referred me to a great contract lawyer (does not have to be healthcare, good contract lawyers KNOW contracts) He loved my list and said most of his clients live in bubbles but that when you go into business you have to think like a Pessimist and be aware of all possible situations.

Step 4   Never haggle or waiver.  My contract is what it is with the exception of modifications needed PER client I contract with. It's not to be negotiated with and if any of my clients mind that it's 11 pages, I don't want them as a client anyway.

Tip: You won't believe how much your contract will actually help in drawing up your compliance and policies & procedures for your business!

Tip:  Have an air tight ESCAPE clause which allows you to WALK away in cases of suspected fraud or abuse, mine even says I don't have to give any notice, it's deemed effective when I say so. That allows me to follow the laws and guidelines for even suspicion.

Tip: Spell out EVERY service to the leter. BE AS SPECIFIC as you can in all aspects of the contract!
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

MBP

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 84
Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2009, 12:09:01 PM »
thank you for sharing this!

DavidZ

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 79
Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2009, 01:38:13 PM »
Linda as always, great info.
Our billing contract is also 12 pages.
The start up consulting is not, that is why the need to update it.

Medical Billing Forum

Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2009, 01:38:13 PM »

PMRNC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4562
    • One Stop Resources & Networking for Medical Billers
Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2009, 02:00:55 PM »
Yeah, I have two different types of contracts because I also do consulting, I contract them separately.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

DavidZ

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 79
Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2009, 02:52:29 PM »
How do you state the term(duration) on the practice start up project?
In some cases credentialing part will take over 4 months?

PMRNC

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4562
    • One Stop Resources & Networking for Medical Billers
Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2009, 09:21:33 PM »
I don't put in completion date, instead the contract is worded so as to reflect that I will work until the "project" is complete, but then I also have a contingency clause that will allow me to back out in certain situations (provider non compliance, breach of contract, etc)  If I am doing JUST credentialing the provider is given a contract that reflects the services of just that, there are requirements on their part ot fulfill the requirements of the contract for them and me. If I am doing billing plus credentialing the credentialing is included in my full practice management contract and if they breach any part of that contract the contingency clause is also there to allow me "out" even if the problem is with the billing. For example, let's say I find out the office is upcoding or routinely waiving patient out of pocket balances, my fast "out clause" is then exercised which allows me to OPT out of the entire contract. Same would apply if I'm doing other tasks with credentialing or just credentialing, if their requirements are not met I can get out.  When I do consulting I either charge flat rate for certain amount of hours and it's payable in intervals, so let's say I am 2 months into a contract with a provider I am doing credentialing with and according to the payment terms his second payment was due and he didn't pay me, that contract allows me to get out, of course I don't always exercise the OUT clause right away, I might ADMINISTRATIVELY decide to give him a warning first. If it's not anything to do with fraud, suspicion of fraud or anything like that I usually try to work with the client to make things right on either end. But the best thing about that clause in my contract is that it allows me the freedom to make that decision administratively I'm not bound to do that, I can legally cut them off as soon as their payment is late.  Now in situations where you are billing by other means you will have to set your own guidelines as to what administrative means. For example if you charged the provider a flat fee of $1000 for credentialing, your contract has to make available the terms of breach of that contract as well as what happens if they paid you and what happens if they don't. It depends on when you get the payment. That's why I like to get my money at set intervals for consulting. If I do training I expect payment on the day I am there to train and they know this up front.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

DavidZ

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 79
Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2009, 12:15:07 PM »
This is great info Linda.
Thank you.

Medical Billing Forum

Re: RE: Practice Start up
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2009, 12:15:07 PM »