How to Manage a Successful Pain-Management Clinic
A pain management clinic handles patients who suffer from chronic and often debilitating pain from injuries, cancer (or the aftereffects of radiation therapy), arthritis or a host of other diseases. A pain management clinic staff may consist of many different types of medical professionals, from occupational therapists to nurses to psychiatrists. A manager in charge of this type of medical clinic hires and oversees clinicians and office staff. A pain management clinic may be closely associated with a nearby hospital or medical center, or it can be an independent facility.
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Instructions
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Decide on your clinic's focus. A pain management clinic may handle patients who suffer from everyday chronic conditions from migraines to sciatica. Others specialize in managing pain for people with serious or even fatal illnesses. Whether you've replaced the previous clinic manager or are running a startup clinic, discuss the medical focus of the facility with the owner and the staff. Hire additional practitioners, if needed, to expand the clinic's specialties.
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Communicate with the patient's primary doctor. When a physician recommends visits to a pain management clinic as partial treatment for a patient's chronic condition, remember to inform the doctor of proper scheduling procedures. Doctors often send patients to pain management the morning after a surgical procedure. This may not give your clinic enough time to prepare for the visit.
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Keep up with billing and office practices. Teach your office staff the fastest and most efficient way to use medical codes, handle insurance claims and follow Medicaid/Medicare procedures. Obtain the latest medical billing software, and make sure you know the current federal and state laws regarding billing and insurance practices.
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Consider additional services to expand your client base. If you only offer testing and basic therapy services, you may want to hire a doctor or clinician to conduct minor outpatient procedures. Add Yoga, Ayurveda, massage and other alternative health care practitioners to your staff. Be aware, however, that some insurance companies will not cover holistic therapies.
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Find new patients. Plan and advertising and marketing budget. Once you are established, doctors and therapists will come to you. A good manager knows that referrals are always welcome to sustain a thriving pain management clinic. Foster good relationships with doctors, insurance companies and hospital staff to keep your clinicians and therapists busy. Buy target advertising in medical publications, the health section of local newspapers or on websites and television programs geared to your specialized practice. If you treat cancer patients, buy advertising on a documentary about cancer survivors.
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