Up until March 2010, Dr. Mark Schwartz was a surgeon in a general and vascular surgery group practice, and although he found that group practice fulfilling in many ways, he decided that it was time for him to go out on his own. His immediate goal was to establish a highly successful, patient oriented medical facility focused comprehensively on varicose and spider vein removal. His longer term goal was to eventually expand into providing high quality aesthetic treatments. Dr. Schwartz was committed to his plan, but wasn’t sure how to engage the necessary expertise to help realize his goals.
After looking at many alternatives, Dr. Schwartz chose Precision Vein & Vascular, an operating division of Precision Practice Management, in part because Precision had broad expertise in the various aspects of starting a new vein practice, and in part because of the reputation that Precision had with many other vein practices that the company worked with. “Precision was able to provide me all the software, technical, marketing and revenue cycle management advice and support that I needed, so they were the perfect fit,” said Dr. Schwartz. “Opening my own practice was a big step, a big financial commitment, so it was critical that I made the right decision in choosing the best partner to work with.”
Precision started with Dr. Schwartz several months prior to the opening of his practice, planning each step in great detail, with a focus on steps requiring the greatest lead time. Credentialing was one such item, as was establishing a strong web presence well in advance of startup. Precision also worked to optimally set up the Encite Billing Manager software for the new practice, reviewed Dr. Schwartz’s coding practices, helped him establish his fee schedule, appointment templates and made recommendations for carrier participation.
“All the preparation made the North Shore Vein startup extremely successful. Compared to the experience of many vein practice startups that don’t have the benefit of Precision’s expertise, the practice achieved in two months what typically takes six to nine months,” reported Shelly Paule, Vice President at Precision. “It was a tremendous team effort that resulted in a tremendous success for the practice.”
Precision’s Encite Clinical software was integrated into the practice in February 2011. Dr. Schwartz worked closely with the Precision team to customize screens and ensure the workflow was conducive to increased productivity. In addition, Precision also worked on documentation requirements and ensuring that the medical record contained sufficient documentation to support the service. “The EMR software is streamlined and very efficient. It has allowed me to focus on patient care while having the confidence that my documentation is in line,” said Dr Schwartz.
Precision also instituted marketing efforts that drove his call volume to nearly 600 patients in his first year, as well as boosting his website to #2 on Google organic searches, amongst the 20 centers in the area. Marketing has been so successful, in fact, that he expanded his practice in July 2011 to include the North Shore Medical Spa, a comprehensive aesthetic center.
Dr. Schwartz's vein practice and his aesthetic practice both continue to do well, serving a continually growing number of patients.
