[NPInfo] After Hours Clinics...the bumpy road of business

[Meg]

OK...a few things I've learned along this bumpy road: first...when proposing this...be very clear about the hours and the days you're willing to work!! Be very clear about the salary/percentage you're willing to work for...be very clear about whether you need help or can do this yourself ( in other words) can you be your own MA?, room patients etc with only a front desk person and when to bring an MA on board (say when you're seeing 12 a shift?...be very clear about the hours....mostly they want 4-8PM or 5PM to 9PM Monday-Friday...Saturday 10AM-6PM and Sundays (which can be very slow especially in summer time)...I would offer 10AM to 2PM...ask about whether their insurance carrier will accept a NP onto the malpractice coverage...(especially) if the clinic already has 8 mid-level providers NPs, PAs and mid-wives) !!...this could be problematic...especially with the malpractice underwriter.  
 
I think this model can work...as it really does keep patients in their "medical home" which the AMA, AAFP seems to think is so important...(and I'm weary of the term "medical home")...be sure and ask about coverage with another provider you can "buddy" with for days off etc....this model is about 30 hours per week...so...that could be a problem if they think you'll be the one working 7 days per week.!!...I actually think this can work in several locations....have 4-5 providers offering after hours 7 days a week...and shifts are staggered and everyone get their weekends off etc....maybe 3 clinics...and 4-5 providers...sounds like a good number to me and then give it a 5 month trial....my own opinions (of course)...Meg (Portland OR)