6 Tips for Running a Lean Chiropractic Practice

Whether starting a brand-new chiropractic practice or improving operations for a current practice, chiropractors understand the value of streamlining operations. Reducing the time needed for mundane tasks such as scheduling and billing means more time to spend with patients and more time for life outside the office.

A recent study shows that the average new chiropractor spends up to eighty hours per week in the office, with a large portion of that centered on administrative tasks. The solution to that problem is often to hire more staff. However, a profitable chiropractic clinic must overcome several challenges to reduce expenses. One of the best ways to do this is to streamline the number of administrative tasks that get in the way of patient care. When this happens, true efficiencies are revealed and less staff is needed to accomplish patient flow.

The following six tips can provide a roadmap to establishing lean practices and creating an operation that is poised to expand and remain profitable in the future.

1. Eliminate Intake Paperwork

New software like ChiroSpring allows patients to virtually self-register before the appointment. Patients can enter medical history and necessary intake information in an easy-to-use platform. This accomplishes a couple of things: upfront registration is no longer needed and burdensome paperwork is eliminated. When data is put directly into a system like ChiroSpring, this decreases the number of steps required to process it, thus reducing the potential for errors. The information can flow directly to the SOAP note, transforming a multi-step manual process into a simple one-step process.

2. Integrate Documentation

SOAP notes are necessary but time-consuming. ChiroSpring’s touch-compatible software makes SOAP notes fast and easy. Intake information automatically populates to the note, which flows to billing. Each component is saved and printable in a formatted document. Lean chiropractic care with one practitioner and minimal office support is suddenly a reality.

3. Streamline Billing

Billing and filing insurance claims are a labor-intensive process for chiropractic clinics. These activities often require the equivalent of a full-time person or someone doing double-duty after hours. Using an integrated product like ChiroSpring streamlines the process tremendously. When the chiropractor signs a SOAP note, a claim is created. From there, submission is two simple clicks within a secure FTP, and the claim is transmitted to the selected medical billing clearinghouse.

4. Reduce Insurance Denials

The ChiroSpring system pre-scrubs claims before submission to reduce the possibility of insurance denials. This processing can involve more paperwork and time on the phone with insurance companies. Avoiding those situations up front is a valuable tool. The system also provides accounts receivable tools that give offices the information they need to tackle missed payments and increase profits.

5. Connect Multiple Locations

Scaling a chiropractic clinic to multiple locations can often create duplication of data entry and confusion. ChiroSpring is built specifically to expand. The system maintains a single database of information but with the ability to toggle front desk and calendars by location. To keep the operation running as efficiently as a single practice, an integrated EMR that truly supports multiple locations is vital. Another unique feature is the ability to generate reports and segment data by location or look at the practice as a whole. This provides easier management of the entire chiropractic practice and the ability to assess the success of individual locations.

6. Create One Source of Records

When patients bring information with them from previous clinics, it can be difficult to maintain a complete record. Paper, other EMR systems, and different file formats can be a nightmare and major time-waster. The ChiroSpring system integrates old charts and files by uploading them into the software for easy access. Multiple document formats are supported and can be tagged with notes for easy retrieval later. No more hunting through files and multiple systems—records are at your fingertips.

As a chiropractic practice realizes all the benefits of creating lean operations, it can reduce office staff without reducing quality of service. Online intake tools, automated appointment reminders, and online scheduling all provide a more efficient service and improve overall patient satisfaction. Patients miss fewer appointments and show better adherence to treatment plans. Paper in the practice is almost eliminated, which provides flexibility, cross-functionality, and scalability. Lean operations for chiropractic clinics have numerous benefits that ensure the viability and success of the clinic, as well as a better work balance for the chiropractor as they manage a multi-faceted business.

Lean practices see more patients and produce more revenue with fewer employees and reduced expenses. ChiroSpring leads the way with built-in features like virtual check-in, billing, SOAP notes, online intake, and integrated payments, all in a cloud-based system. No other chiropractic practice EMR offers these features in the cloud.

ChiroSpring is an all-in-one practice management and EHR system built specifically for chiropractors to help them regain face-time with patients, spend less time on back-office tasks, maintain a limited staff, and save operational costs.

To see how ChiroSpring can help you simplify how you manage your practice, reach out to one of our specialists today!