Independent practice continues to do well, despite predictions that this form of medical practice would not have the needed size, economies, expertise, and negotiating leverage. Private practices possess the knowledge, energy, interest, and entrepreneurial spirit to preserve the small business model for many years to come. Large practice management company or hospital system approaches with their corresponding structures and processes do not typically meet the needs of the independent medical practice. For this reason HCAPS Management Services has been organized as a small practice management consulting service.

Matching Services to Practice Need

Though independent practices have demonstrated competence-delivering quality medical services and operating a business, many physicians and managers continue to express the need for assistance and relief from some of the daily practice pressures and risks. By matching affordable, quality, and tested services to expressed practice needs, a practice management company will demonstrate responsiveness to the client. Complementing existing practice talent rather than replacing and duplicating them, will lead to a welcome practice/management partnership.

HCAPS Consulting to Independent Practices

HCAPS has a consulting office, Management Services, with experience and expertise serving several areas directed toward private practices:

• Independent private practices, which are experiencing problems and are seeking improvements, relief and support
• Practices needing an evaluation of the business operation and a work plan developed from the evaluation - In an Initial assessment and action plan the practice is thoroughly assessed by HCAPS, the practice manager or coordinator, and practice physicians. An action plan is constructed to meet agreed upon progress targets. Quarterly follow-up for review of progress is scheduled with manager or coordinator and physicians. Finance, Compliance, Marketing, Customer Service, Patient Process, Facilities, and Human Resources are reviewed within the assessment and action plan.
• Healthcare systems re-structuring the employed "sponsored" models (employed to independent) or seeking to decrease practice losses
• Medical practices consolidating with other small practices
• Medical practices working toward group practice formation

HCAPS assists, advises, and brings needed services to medical practices and healthcare systems. Our services are limited to those needs expressed clearly by our clients. We have formed links among affordable, tested, quality providers of practice services. HCAPS Management Services has been put together to cover the day-to-day needs of a practice: financial, legal, human resources, communications, facilities, marketing, compliance, supplies & equipment, and education. Perhaps, most importantly, we complement existing talent and practice resources rather than replacing and duplicating.

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Management Services can assist in:

• Transitioning from the employed model
• Reducing practice losses
• Strengthening and building the medical staff
• Reducing staff
• Assist with physician compensation
• Helping with group formation

HCAPS serves the healthcare system and physicians in the following arrangements:

Model I. Reductions of practice loss through focused work with existing healthcare system managers and sponsored physicians. Practice assessment/action plans are completed with managers and physicians.

Model II. Restructuring of the sponsored model to private practice. There are individuals and groups of physicians who are better suited to independent practice settings or private group practice. There are also individuals who have agreed, in advance, to transition to independent practice after the first year of income support. By agreeing upon predetermined financial goals, the healthcare system is able to support the physician(s) as the transition is made to private practice.

Model III. Physician leaving sponsorship/short transition period. This model is similar to the Model II restructuring of the sponsored model, except the healthcare system has determined sponsorship must end quickly without time for 6 months to a year of transition and support. The healthcare system offers the consulting services of HCAPS to assist the physician in making the transition from sponsorship to private practice or to other career choices.

Model IV. Medical staff development and establishment of new practices through recruitment of physicians preferring independent practices and practice start-up support from the healthcare system. Once recruiting is progressing, HCAPS Management Services is called upon to bring up the new physician into practice either as a solo practitioner or in practice with other physicians, new or established. A template and a system of support is used to assure all aspects of the new practice are addressed and managed. Extensive consulting hours are used to ensure the practice is on course.

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