Need a little extra help

[Donna E]

I recently finished MT school and I am awaiting to take the NCE. I am also a PTA and I want to open my own practice. I've had enough of working under someone else's supervision. I found a great space, use to be a Psychologist clinic. It has 4 rooms and will be 385/mth- that includes utilites and janitorial services 3x/wk. The MD-that I worked with at the rehab center where I am employed PRN said that he could refer some clients to me, as well as talk to some other MDs about using my services. As well as some of the other hospital staff have stated they would come.I will be taking CEU's immediately in Fibromyalgia as well as Myofascial Techniques as I want to mainly work with pain relief/management. Long story short, not quite sure how to get started. My business class was two weeks and didn't learn anything. Will I need to get a Employee ID # since I would like to have a office assistant, the rehab center is letting me buy the old reception furniture since they recently remodeled. I am borrowing from my 401K to help get started. Looking at renter's insurance, I'm a member of AMTA and will be using there liability insurance. I have a family member that works at Office Depot and will be giving me a discount on cards and flyers. So, what else do I need to prepare?

 

[Mr. Samsa]

Need a little extra help

I recently finished MT school and I am awaiting to take the NCE. I am also a PTA and I want to open my own practice. I've had enough of working under someone else's supervision. I found a great space, use to be a Psychologist clinic. It has 4 rooms and will be 385/mth- that includes utilites and janitorial services 3x/wk. The MD-that I worked with at the rehab center where I am employed PRN said that he could refer some clients to me, as well as talk to some other MDs about using my services. As well as some of the other hospital staff have stated they would come.I will be taking CEU's immediately in Fibromyalgia as well as Myofascial Techniques as I want to mainly work with pain relief/management. Long story short, not quite sure how to get started. My business class was two weeks and didn't learn anything. Will I need to get a Employee ID # since I would like to have a office assistant, the rehab center is letting me buy the old reception furniture since they recently remodeled. I am borrowing from my 401K to help get started. Looking at renter's insurance, I'm a member of AMTA and will be using there liability insurance. I have a family member that works at Office Depot and will be giving me a discount on cards and flyers. So, what else do I need to prepare?

Wow, that space and price sound GREAT, and overall it sounds like you've got a lot of good things falling into place.

Now you need a plan. Envision the practice you want to start with, and then what you would like it to become in 5-10 years. There are several books on setting up massage businesses, and many more on setting up different types of medical practices. As a PTA and NCTMB, you might combine both elements, or just focus on one. That's why you need to figure out what services you plan to offer and how you wish to structure them in your practice. How do you want to schedule your clients? How do you want them to find you? Will you offer insurance billing? Will you hire more MTs? If so, as employees or as ICs? Will you offer any non-massage (but perhaps related) services?

You also need to decide what kind of business you plan to be: Sole proprietor, LLC, S-Corp, etc. Each has pros and cons. Don't pick at random - research the differences and consider talking to a business counselor about which might best fit your plans. You can get free help from any SCORE chapter in your area. Some will even help you write up a business plan and teach you how to project expenses and income so you can reasonably estimate how different choices might impact your business. You need to know what kind of business you will be before you can register as a business with your state to get your Tax ID number. Learn about the reporting requirements for business taxes, payroll taxes, etc. Consider whether to have a bookkeeper/accountant and/or payroll service to help take care of these things.

Find out what kind of business/practice license(s) you need to have from your municipality, county, and state. Learn what kinds of insurance are required. Talk to a business insurance agent about what kind(s) of coverage you might need. Look at the building lease to see what kinds of damage would be taken care of by the landlord and which kinds would be your problem (hence requiring insurance). Your AMTA liability insurance only covers a small fraction of the issues that might arise, so getting a good business insurance policy is a must for the kind of space you describe, especially when you have employees/ICs there. Your personal AMTA coverage should also list your business as an "Additional Insured" and so should the policies of any MTs who share the space with you (whether as employees or ICs).

Do you plan to have music? How will you obtain it, and will it be the same throughout your business or different in each room? Having the same in all rooms means you need some speakers wired in, an amplifier to send music to those speakers, volume controls in each room, and a source of music. This is more difficult (initially) than having separate stereos in each room, but it works well in multi-therapist practices.

I could go on, but that's a good start... being a small business start-up is tough, but you will learn a LOT.

You have a LOT of work left to do, but it sounds like you have a great reason to do it! Best wishes for your success!

 

[jake long]

Need a little extra help

VistaPrint will probably be cheaper that anything at Office Depot.
And while it's nice to have high quality printed material it may have to wait until you have some income.

I am not aware of any MT's that have been successful at gaining MD referals, but it's worth a shot.

Since you have some down-time now, do some reading about marketing, see if there is a local SCORE (small business assistance - free resource), and practice skills.

I admire your drive in jumping in with both feet!
Going into debt is a risky step, so hopefully you won't take too big of a hit with your start-up costs.
It's not that easy to start a business, whether or not you are a skilled practitioner. So you will need to put a LOT of energy into marketing. Check into on-line resources too, webinars, blogs, etc.

 

[ohblueberry]

Need a little extra help

I am not aware of any MT's that have been successful at gaining MD referals, but it's worth a shot.

As a positive note, for the original poster regarding s_b's quote: I get MD referrals from the following: neurologist, orthopedist, diagnostician and general medical practitioners. I have better reception from the specialists than the general MD's, but you may find just the opposite.

I also get referrals from a Fellow of Applied Functional Science - Kinesiologist in Sports Performance Enhancement (that's a mouthful!), acupuncturist, other MT's, a chiropractor (other than myself) and regular clients.

Referrals can be received. It takes time (many many years sometimes) to build those kinds of relationships, but if you stick with it and fan the small flames, eventually wonderful things can happen.

Good luck!

 

[Kelsi]

Need a little extra help

I thank you all for the great advice. I had a meeting with my School Director/Owner, and he suggested that I start as a LLC. I would like to offer, Performance Massage, Deep Tissue, NMT, Energetics,Swedish.I asked him about the insurance billing and he suggested I get Massage Professional Software as it has forms that I can give to my future clients to submit to their insurance company for reimbursement. A fellow classmate of mine-whom happens to be a licensed Esthetician would like to rent a room from me, so she could be an IC and I just collect rent from her. As for advertising and marketing, I will be utilizing social media-creating a Facebook page, as well as advertising in local news outlets here. My parents are wanting to help me and my Dad suggested that I advertise at the local movie theater during the previews as well as sending flyers and postings through out the neighborhoods and medical offices. My parents have their own Respite Center, so they are firm believers that it takes a little money to get your business started.

I am also planning on going to Physician Assistant school and specialize in Pain Management-that way I can incorporate it in my practice. My Director gifted me QuickBooks Payroll Software since I finished top in the class, and my sister has volunteered to be my office assistant until things get rolling. I have prayed on this and think I am one step closer to making my dream a reality.
Again, thanks to all of you and please, please, keep the advice coming.

 

[Casey Jane]

Need a little extra help

I know that regs vary state-to-state...

Are MT's able to bill insurance as a provider in MS? PTA's?
Even if they are - do you have the appropriate education to provide the level of care and modalities that you plan to offer?

Maybe as a PA that would be different - but maybe you should look into that further.

Have you ever dealt with insurance companies? There are many threads in these forums discussing the pros and cons of insurance.

Insurance billing is not the "cash cow" that some educators are (still) claiming.

Good move bringing on an esthetician - but you will be offering spa services - which is a different environment from a clinic. So be sure that this is the direction that you wish to go. You can't be everything to everybody.

Licensing laws very state to state with esthetics too.
In our state "booth rental" is not allowed, and spa owners are required to have the appropriate licensing themselves in order to offer services in their facility, or designate an on-ste manager who will be on-site whenever the services are provided...which negates having IC or renters instead of employee. You will need to make sure that you are compliant with your state regulations.

Just playing a little devil's advocate here...
I think it is important to go into any business venture with full knowledge and eyes wide open.
While I think it's "nice" that others offer encouragement, they also have at the very least, a moral obligation to be honest about the realities. For someone who is focused and determined this is far more valuable than being hit with "surprises" when it is too late.

 

[MissWink-adink]

Need a little extra help

While I think it's "nice" that others offer encouragement, they also have at the very least, a moral obligation to be honest about the realities. For someone who is focused and determined this is far more valuable than being hit with "surprises" when it is too late.

s_b, is this meant to be in response to my post? I ask, because I am am not sure and I want to be able to respond properly if it is.

 

[seesen9]

Need a little extra help

I wouldn't bill the insurance company myself, but he stated that there is a form that he gives his clients to submit to the insurance companies themselves for reimbursement-if they have a prescription for massage/bodywork from a doctor.Not sure about the "spa services", don't think I wanna go that route, so for right now I'm gonna focus on building My practice and building up clientele before bringing someone else in. Unless, can get a LMT that already has a steady clientele.

 

[Olivia]

Need a little extra help

Jason says most of what you need.

A lot of cities have "loan" or tax breaks for new small businesses. check your chamber (which you really should join)

There are a few computer software programs that will help you - but I think in this day and age, you should check with a lawyer - even before you sign the contract..

A lot of coffee houses will let you put out your card. I used to do free back/chair massages at the local Earth Fare and built up a client base quick. Some gyms will let you too. Gave alot away of my time at the Earthfare - but made a lot of friends doing so.

Ads: Backpage has a "massage' separate from bodyrubs, but depending on your city alot of the massages are questionable. Same for Craigs. With the right language in your ad, you can eliminate alot of those folks.

Good luck

 

[tbunny1us]

Need a little extra help

While I think it's "nice" that others offer encouragement, they also have at the very least, a moral obligation to be honest about the realities. For someone who is focused and determined this is far more valuable than being hit with "surprises" when it is too late.

s_b, is this meant to be in response to my post? I ask, because I am am not sure and I want to be able to respond properly if it is.

FWIW, I did not read this as being directed at your post.

Angie

 

[Russell M]

Need a little extra help

Well,since there was only JasonE, myself and s_b who had responded up to that point, I don't think s_b was commenting to herself. And, it is obvious that JasonE had time to speak about the pros and cons of business. So, that really only leaves little ole me, as the person who she thought would have a moral obligation to do more than just add encouragement.


Since I only have so much time in a day to respond to posts, I can't always respond with extra realities. :irked:

/*taking a self-imposed time out, due to my irritation*

 

[Erin N]

Need a little extra help

While I think it's "nice" that others offer encouragement, they also have at the very least, a moral obligation to be honest about the realities. For someone who is focused and determined this is far more valuable than being hit with "surprises" when it is too late.

s_b, is this meant to be in response to my post? I ask, because I am am not sure and I want to be able to respond properly if it is.

FWIW, I did not read this as being directed at your post.

Angie

I also did not read it as being directed at you, Pueppi. Until I read your question, I assumed she was perhaps aiming her comment at people like her parents, who are encouraging her to go into debt to start up her business, etc.

Here's to hoping you enjoy your self-imposed time-out, Puepp!
:throwpc: t056 :beerchug:
We'll leave the light on for when you return...

 

[bellz_chick]

Need a little extra help

While I think it's "nice" that others offer encouragement, they also have at the very least, a moral obligation to be honest about the realities. For someone who is focused and determined this is far more valuable than being hit with "surprises" when it is too late.

s_b, is this meant to be in response to my post? I ask, because I am am not sure and I want to be able to respond properly if it is.

I understood this part of SBs post to be referring to the insurance billing part not being the "cash cow" it is sometimes made out to be. Wasn't there fairly recently a hot topic regarding that $100,000 per year mt who wrote the book? That is what immediately came to mind.

Especially since pueppi, you did say that it can take many, many years to cultivate relationships with other professionals who might refer to you regularly.

 

[walt17jr]

Need a little extra help

Referrals can be received. It takes time (many many years sometimes) to build those kinds of relationships, but if you stick with it and fan the small flames, eventually wonderful things can happen.

I agree here, it can take a long time to get referrals but when they start coming in it is a wonderful thing! As a Reflexologist with several population specialties I am frequently sent patients from pediatricians (I have a great track record with unusual or stubborn pediatric diagnoses), as well as other medical specialists. When appropriate, I like to offer a complimentary treatment to select physicians that I feel would benefit from experiencing an hour in my chair.

 

[Tibiman]

Need a little extra help

When appropriate, I like to offer a complimentary treatment to select physicians that I feel would benefit from experiencing an hour in my chair.

t023

Me too.