When it comes to expanding a physical therapy clinic, it is essential to recognize that success hinges on more than just wishful thinking. While having skilled clinicians is undoubtedly crucial, the integration of technology systems plays an equally vital role in managing patient care effectively. Growth-oriented physical therapy clinics must strike a delicate balance between the expertise of their physical therapists, the well-being of their patients, and the seamless coordination provided by patient documentation technologies.
In this article:
Administrative Burden Impact on Physical Therapy Clinics Growth
In 2022 American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) conducted a survey of members yielding 773 respondents, 93% who give direct patient care, 26% were clinic owners/partners, 53% holding a management role, and 74% were in outpatient PT settings.
Here are some shocking highlights applied to a typical physical therapy clinic business case:
Amid declining reimbursements, 81% of respondents have added non-clinical staff to support the administrative burden.
86% of provider respondents agreed or strongly agreed that administrative burden contributes to burnout.
Claim denials kill growth from errors in documentation. Here is what it looks like when applying the results to a typical business case (with ~$106 avg reimbursement rate):
If a single clinic has $1.08m out to payers for care that already took place, 10.6% of the claims are denied, or $114,480
Of this amount, 4% or $43k will be LOST, net overturned and clinic costs (30 min per appealed claim!).
At the end of the day, for every 25 claims appealed, only 12 are overturned/paid.
52% of respondents say, “Standardization of documentation requirements across all stakeholders” would address documentation and administrative burdens (like denials!)
The remaining 48% is split almost in equal proportion ~32% between these potential solutions: eliminating POC signature & recertification requirements by CMS, standardizing coverage policies, standardizing pre-authorization, unrestricted direct access per provider.
The fact is, clinicians are spending a disproportionate amount of time on patient documentation & admin tasks which can be solved with new technology today. In physical therapy specifically, the failure to have patients and providers both interacting with technology seamlessly, including the financial transaction for services, detracts from provider’s ability to focus on quality and quantity of patient care.
This imbalance not only affects patient satisfaction and outcomes but also limits the capacity of physical therapy practice, well-being of clinicians, and reduces potential revenue and growth opportunities. Evaluating and optimizing how clinics allocate time is crucial for growth. By implementing efficient technologies, clinics can reclaim value for patient care. Without it, the business of physical therapy clinical care doesn’t work.
The Critical Role of Patient Documentation in Physical Therapy Practices
Patient documentation serves as a comprehensive record of the patient's condition, treatment plan, and progress over time. Accurate and detailed documentation is essential for effective communication among musculoskeletal providers and for ensuring quality care for the patient. Additionally, proper documentation helps in justifying the need for specific treatments, tracking outcomes, and meeting legal and regulatory requirements. Therefore, physical therapists must prioritize thorough and precise documentation to support the best possible patient care outcomes.
In the dynamic world of outpatient physical therapy, every minute counts. The business objective is always unparalleled patient care while ensuring the sustainability of the physical therapy practice. However, patient documentation is often-overlooked aspect that significantly impacts this objective. It is the linchpin between a clinic working, and it not. It must balance the needs of clinicians using it, patients receiving information and service through it, and its ability to effectively and easily communicate to payers the reasons and progress in plan of care for payment. Patient documentation technologies that satisfy these values are crucial for physical therapy growth and boosting profitability without overburdening PT team.
Driving Growth and Success in Modern Physical Therapy Clinics
The synergy between physical therapists, patients, and technology systems is what drives the growth and success of modern physical therapy clinics. Clinicians rely on innovative tools to create and monitor personalized plans of care, track progress, and communicate effectively with patients. Meanwhile, patients benefit from a more streamlined and efficient healthcare experience, where their information is securely stored and easily accessible to healthcare providers.
In conclusion, the key to scaling a physical therapy clinic lies in finding the perfect equilibrium between the human touch of skilled clinicians and the efficiency of technology-driven care management systems. By embracing this harmonious blend, clinics can not only enhance the quality of care they deliver but also pave the way for sustainable growth and success in the competitive healthcare landscape.
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