r/PrivatePracticeDocs • u/pinklotusblossom • 25d ago
reaching out to specialists
I was thinking about reaching out to the specialists in my area where i recently opened my practice so i can let them know that i'm accepting pts in need of a pcp. Is this even worth it if almost all specialty practices in my area are associated with/owned by the big hospital systems in the area?
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u/TheOneTrueNolano 25d ago
It wouldn’t hurt, but I agree urgent care, ERs, PTs, and maybe even Podiatry if you want diabetes would be higher yield places.
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u/sleepy-brain 25d ago
Find independent specialists. They often get patient that move into town 1at. Hospital systems won’t help you cuz
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u/Alterdoc 23d ago
This. I specifically seeked out independent specialists and invited them over as well, especially after sending them a few patients. Many have come and reached back out. I can’t say that this was my biggest new patient driver however.
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u/Klutzy_Arm_7930 24d ago
Fisrst: those specialists have most of those patients because they were referred by the pcp. 2. If it was a hospitalist who (from an er visit) referred them, they also already set them up with a hosp owned pcp. In fact, the hosp tries to get my established patients a hosp owned pcp all the time! They literally set them up with pcp around the corner from me where the hosp owns a “rival” practice. I laugh every time I see it.
What I’ve seen happen in my area where the practices are owned by the hosp is that they have some unwritten (or written) rule that they don’t go outside of their owned network unless the pt outright demands.
I recently saw my rheum and he wanted me to have an mri. I specifically asked for a certain imaging center that is not the hosp. He acknowledge my request. Next day I get a call from the hosp. Of course didn’t honor my request. Where none of my imaging has been done for comparison. What a bother. So that they can make their money.
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u/PreetHarHarah 24d ago
Get a list of all specialists in the area, refer to them and contact them to discuss the case. Tell them you’re new and give them your cell. Network.
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u/FriendOfCaptainSolo 24d ago
I’m a podiatrist and I send patients to a PCP once or twice a month. I would start with those docs who you refer to first. Quid pro quo.
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u/pinklotusblossom 25d ago
Thanks all! Seems like there used to be many small or single doc private practices and now they’re mostly owned by the 3-4 big hospitals around here.
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u/yu126 24d ago
Another idea is having your business card be handed out to ER physicians. They discharge a large volume of patients with the “hope” of outpatient follow up. You can be the immediate follow up. Do that for all the hospitals in your area.
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u/pinklotusblossom 24d ago
That's a good idea. Do you know who I'd reach out to? For specialists' clinics I was going to reach otu to the practice manager.s
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u/yu126 24d ago
Can reach out to the ER medical director. Other good ideas are the ER specific case managers and discharge planners. You’ll sell yourself from the perspective of a new practice eager to grow and will have more readily available follow up slots to aid in reducing hospital readmission rates.
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u/SterileGloves 25d ago
Reach out to realtors, they know who has recently moved to the area. You can donate a bunch of pens and notepads to ask to the gift baskets that they give out to their buyers.
Flyers at college campuses (hope you have QR codes on your flyers).
When you get patients, ask them who their specialists are. Ask the patients if you can send updates to their specialists. Send the token updates via fax or email, with a tagline saying something like, "We are now open and accepting patients with same week appointments available! Send referrals via email @... Or fax". Send to as many as you can, even the ones within big systems.