Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1190306
BEFORE ANY TIME is spent considering ancillary services, a practice should first review its current utilization of physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (N Ps) in t he cur rent m i x of patient treatment. PAs and NPs bring value and provide multiple benefits to physicians by providing the opportunity to expand the number of patients a practice can see, especially for practices that have physicians required to be out of the office on a weekly basis for surgery and other job functions. PAs and NPs can implement the treatment plans, monitor patients in follow ups and take care of the less serious patient needs, such as sore throats and coughs. The generational shift taking place in the patient population has led to the evolvement of healthcare practices as patients are now seeking convenience from their physicia n. Ma ny patients are in search of one-stop shopping and need to see the value of their healthcare provider. Patients are pursuing practices that engage in their overall care. For the practice, the idea of providing ancillary ser v ices w i ll not on ly help to reta in patients, but it will also generate new revenue from existing patients while attracting new patients. The concept of providing ancillar y services sounds deceptively simple, but it can be endlessly complicated if not navigated properly. There is no shortage of services to choose from, but adding an abundance of services may not be the right move for every practice. In preparation for this article, we reviewed articles from Medical Economics and spoke with several medical practice consultants about the more popular types of ancillary services pursued by practices, which include: + Allergy testing + Nutritional counseling and weight- loss management + Cosmet ic a nd a es t het ic ser v ices and procedures + Imaging services + Implantable contraception + Molecular and genetic testing + Pain management, including coun- seling and alternative therapies such as acupuncture + Pharmacy services + Research + Sleep medicine + Stress tests With regard to research as an ancillary service, several companies will do much of the work by locating and starting a particular research project. Often, these companies can help staff the office to assist with the paperwork and documentation required. Research can enhance many practices, especially considering the fact that new medications are constantly being developed. Some of the other types ANCILLARY SERVICES? BY ERIC FLORES AND CHRISTOPHER DAVIS, CPA IN TODAY'S E VOLVING HE ALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICIANS ARE SEEKING TO BROADEN THEIR SERVICES TO INCRE A SE RE VENUE AND IMPROVE THE QUALIT Y OF CARE. THIS IDE A OF E XPANSION INTO ANCILL ARY SERVICES WITHIN THE HE ALTHCARE INDUSTRY IS SOUGHT A S PR ACTICES ARE SEEING A DECLINE IN PATIENT REIMBURSEMENTS AND A RISE IN E VERYDAY OPER ATIONAL COSTS. Should Your Practice Consider Providing Eric Flores, CPA Christopher Davis, CPA 1 4