What is your favorite thing about being a PT?
I absolutely love helping people improve their quality of life.
Pain and limitations really affect us not only physically but mentally as well. It’s amazing to be a part of my patients’ rehab journeys and watch them transform into happier versions of themselves, enjoying what they love in life without pain restricting them.
Why did you want to go into cash-pay?
Over the past decade, I’ve really recognized a shift in the PT world. Insurance companies aren’t reimbursing for PT services like they used to and companies can’t pay their therapists what they deserve due to this. New grads aren’t making much more than they were 10-20 years ago despite the reality of inflation.
PTs are getting doctoral level degrees, yet our salaries are not reflecting this due to decreased reimbursement from insurance companies.
So why be a slave to insurance and also to companies who have to double -or even triple- book you every hour to make ends meet?
When I looked into cash pay, it made so much sense. Having the freedom of providing one on one session with my patients and treating them how I want to treat them. Our society is very focused on how insurance should pay for PT, yet we won’t bat an eye when we pay a hefty hourly rate for a massage, a personal training session, a meeting with our accountant, or an emergency visit from the plumber. I now see so much value in what I offer my patients without the distractions of a busy clinic.
How has your practice changed since joining CO?
Concierge Orthopedics has given me the motivation and freedom to start my own practice.
I would say I mostly appreciate the one on one time; no longer am I listening to patient #1 while modifying an exercise for patient #2 at the table next to us, as patient #3 is in my peripheral vision exercising across the room, and all of a sudden the phone rings and I’m the only clinician to run and answer it. I can truly focus 100% on what my patient is saying, cater to their needs during that session, and modify exercises with a clear mind. Physical therapists are great multitaskers- we really are!- but it’s amazing what you can do with that extra brain power when you don’t HAVE to multi task during a session. That’s where the magic happens.
How is Telehealth changing the face of healthcare and how is it beneficial to you and your patients?
Telehealth has been a blessing for my work/life balance and for my patient’s compliance in attending sessions.
So frequently when I worked in clinics, patients would cancel throughout the week due to getting caught at work late, being sick, or traffic driving home form the city causing them to get to the clinic too late. The beauty of Telehealth is you can join virtually anywhere! I have met with patients during their lunch breaks at work, early mornings, evenings, and weekends. I’ve also met with a patient with Covid that was at the tail end of quarantine. It’s much easier to make a Telehealth session a priority when you don’t have a commute. It also helps when your therapist works from home and isn’t limited by her work hours at the clinic! After reviewing the research, taking Telehealth continuing education courses, and now having experience with it, I truly believe Telehealth has a certain advantage compared to in person sessions. Patients aren’t relying on my hands to “fix them” anymore, and instead are held responsible to put in the work and do their home exercises. It’s amazing seeing their outcomes from Telehealth alone.
How did you find CO?
A simple search on LinkedIn led me to Concierge Orthopedics.
It seemed too good to be true, but after talking to Kelli I realized how it really could be possible to work from home as a PT.
It’s been the perfect balance for my husband and I, both working from home, with a toddler!
What can you tell us about your hiring and onboarding experience?
The hiring and onboarding process was streamlined and very organized.
Kelli met with me virtually and presented a variety of PowerPoint slides to teach me more about the company and made me feel comfortable getting started with patients within the next week!
What are your goals for the next year of your CO practice?
I would love to increase my caseload of patients within the next year.
I also have recently met with a few local sports teams and excited about opportunities to potentially partner with them and their young athletes!
I would like to create my own website as well which would make it easier for patients to book appointments and review all that I offer.
What is your favorite part about working with CO?
I enjoy the support that Concierge provides both behind the scenes and on social media. Their weekly/monthly emails have a plethora of information and the community of Concierge therapists has really been supportive of one another.
It feels nice to be a part of this team, even though we are spread across the country!
What tips and tricks can you share with other PTs to recruit cash-pay patients?
Social media presence is wonderful, but so is word of mouth!
Get out there, introduce yourself to people in the community, drop off business cards. Once you h
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