Author Topic: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.  (Read 4740 times)

melissa_2004

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New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« on: September 14, 2010, 07:47:07 PM »
Hi all,

I was contacted by a new physical therapy clinic in my area that are opening their doors and looking for patients.  Has anyone every helped a new client/new clinic/new provider find patients?  Where would you begin to help them?

PMRNC

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2010, 08:49:34 PM »
Ah... very tricky scenario.. If you are doing their billing or consulting involving their practice revenue's YOU CANNOT market for them in anyway, shape or form as it would violate anti-kickback statutes.  I kid you not this is a big no no for us.  Best bet is to refer them to a professional medical marketing company, there are tons of them out there. There is one big one that comes to mind that's got a great reputation I think their name is Medi-Bid or Medi-Market..?
Linda Walker
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melissa_2004

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2010, 08:51:55 PM »
Ouch.  That's good to know.  I will refer them to a service and see how it goes.  I wish I could do more.  They are struggling to get the ball rolling with the new clinic.

Michele

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2010, 08:52:22 AM »
Linda is right, you cannot help them market, but is it ok to give them suggestions on things they may or may not want to use?  I've never been in this position, but I just wondered after reading the post.

Michele
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PMRNC

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2010, 10:42:14 AM »
It's still tricky because the statute basically says that splitting fees from referral's with any NON provider etc etc etc is strictly prohibited.  While you might think your not "referring" patient's, entering into the marketing arena of any practice COULD lead to referral's...  You can read more detail on this under the Federal Anti-Kickback statute as well as Federal Stark Regulations, in addition to those, states have their own statutes setup on what defines a fee-splitting arrangement.   This is just my opinion along with my own attorney's opinion but don't go there as it could be a slippery slope.  Even in some states right now they are going as far as saying credentialing is a form of patient referral's / kickbacks!   ???
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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2010, 10:42:14 AM »

jcbilling

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2010, 04:18:27 PM »
Where can I find out the specifics of the anti kick back statutes? How do I know where the line is drawn.

I have a practice that is interested in us (the billing company) calling patients who haven't been in for a physical this year to get them in...does that violate the kick back law?

melissa_2004

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2010, 04:52:09 PM »
OK wow, this is opening a whole can of worms.  I guess I have some research to do. 

PMRNC

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2010, 05:35:45 PM »
Quote
I have a practice that is interested in us (the billing company) calling patients who haven't been in for a physical this year to get them in...does that violate the kick back law?

I am only going to pass along what my attorney advises.."Don't get involved in anything that brings patient's to the practice"

You can find the Federal Anti Kickback Statute here: http://oig.hhs.gov/
Additionally you will want to review Stark (I and II) http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/enforcement/cmp/kickback.asp

Linda Walker
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jcbilling

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2010, 06:11:38 PM »
I read the statutes online and it is very vague as to what it might cover.

Definitely, if a physiican receives monetary compensation for referring a patient to another physician - I could see that.

But, I'm going to continue to offer my recall services and helping new providers market their practice to build their patient base.

Just my thoughts...

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #9 on: September 17, 2010, 08:57:27 AM »
Quote
But, I'm going to continue to offer my recall services and helping new providers market their practice to build their patient base.


Actually it's NOT that gray or vague.. you are a "non" provider. Bringing patients into the practice and being reimbursed for the billing..you are sharing in fees "Fee splitting".   VERY basic example:  You bring on a group of patients from a small business in the area to your client..  when you are doing the billing you are getting compensated for that billing, you are being compensated from those patient's brought it.. Again.. FEE Splitting.  It's NOT vague at all when you look at it from a very basic and common sense point.  Now the recall services part might be gray..but then that is where Attorney's come in. If it were my business and something seemed gray or not right.. I would get my physician to advise me, no question about it. Also if you go to Gooogle and type in Practice management companies sharing in referal's or fee-splitting, go look how many PM companies have gotten into trouble for this very issue.
Linda Walker
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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #9 on: September 17, 2010, 08:57:27 AM »

Alice Scott

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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2010, 11:01:54 AM »
Linda,
Thanks for the good advice.  What you say makes sense and opens our eyes up to an important issue.  And you back your information up with researchable facts.  I didn't reasize the importance of this but I do now.   
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Re: New physical therapy clinic trying to find patients.
« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2010, 11:01:54 AM »