Whether you are just considering starting a small healthcare business or you’ve been in operation for a while, there are several key facts that you need to be aware of to be successful and to stay compliant with state and local law. Because the life and welfare of hundreds of individuals are in your hands, the way you operate your business and the way you store patients’ personal information are keys to a business’s success and client loyalty. Take care of the following five items as soon as possible.
Get a License to Operate
Because of the nature of a healthcare business, your new business will need to be licensed by your state and possibly by local governing bodies as well. Start at your local town hall to get the process started before applying to your state’s accrediting body. You will also need to obtain a local business permit and an occupational permit from your county’s planning department.
Provide Benefits
Depending on the size of your business, you may need to provide your employees with benefits like healthcare coverage. You are exempt from this requirement if you have fewer than 50 employees. However, you may still want to consider building this into your benefits package to attract and retain solid employees. If you’re concerned about managing this as a small business, you may like to know that healthcare.gov has plans for small businesses. You can also offer your employees retirement plans through programs like MyRA, but benefits like disability insurance and dental coverage aren’t quite as urgent to offer unless you can afford it.
HIPAA Is Key
HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and it defines how you are required to protect personal information about your patients. You will need to have means in place of safely destroying physical paperwork, of securely filing digital information and of keeping patient data from those who are not necessary to the care of the patient. You will need to invest in secure networks, digital filing systems, physical shredders and private rooms for consultations.
Technology Is Your Friend
Speaking of networks, you will want to invest in premium computers and network solutions to store your records digitally. Paper files are messy, cumbersome and unsafe. In addition, consider storing patient data in a secure cloud where you will be able to access it from places other than your office. Hiring someone with a health information management bachelor degree is a smart move for in-house IT services.
Get Online
As soon as possible, invest in a website building company that will be able to create an eye-catching Website for your healthcare business. You will want to include information about the services you offer, your practitioners and health insurance and costs if applicable. Additionally, consider having a blog on your Website, which can help you interact with your patients by providing them with relevant information for their health.
Healthcare has changed dramatically in the past few decades. While many clinics are part of other healthcare organizations, numerous clinics, medical spas and surgical centers are stand-alone sites that do quite well. If you have started up a new small healthcare business, such as a an alternative healthcare center, dietary service or home healthcare service, you can be sure that you will have the most success when you follow applicable laws, treat your clients’ personal information with integrity, branch out in advertising and take advantage of the newest technologies available.
Dixie Somers is a freelance writer and blogger for business, home, and family niches. Dixie lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and is the proud mother of three beautiful girls and wife to a wonderful husband.