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Rebekah Lockhart

KPIs Every Independent Practice Should Track (and How to Improve Them)

Running your own medical practice is incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming trying to keep everything on track. You’re not just a physician; you’re a business owner, too.  When it comes to staying profitable, delivering great care, and making sure your doors stay open, a few key metrics—or KPIs—can make all the difference. Here’s a breakdown of the most important KPIs to watch, plus simple ways to start improving them: Patient Volume & Visit Frequency If your schedule isn’t full, your revenue suffers. Keeping track of the number of new and returning patients you see helps you plan for staffing and expenses. How to boost it: Fun fact: According to Medical Economics, growing patient volume is one of the simplest ways to increase revenue without changing your overhead. Average Days in Accounts Receivable (A/R) Nobody likes waiting to get paid. Long A/R cycles can mess up your cash flow. Ideally, less than 15% of your total A/R should be over 90 days old. How to improve it:  Source: MGMA says keeping A/R tight is one of the best indicators of a healthy revenue cycle. Patient Satisfaction Happy patients come back, refer their friends, and leave good reviews online, which is huge for practices competing against big hospital systems. How to improve it: Did you know?  AdvisoryBoard.com found a strong link between good patient experiences and higher patient loyalty. Provider Productivity (RVUs or Visits per Day) How many patients you see or RVUs you generate each day says a

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Podcasts
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Saving Private Practice (Part 1 of 2)

In Part 1 of a 2-episode conversation, IndeDocs President Dr. Marcelo Hochman talks with Dr. Arlen Meyers, President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) about the path to medical entrepreneurship, the personal, organizational, and systemic challenges that affect it, and some changes we can make to support the goal of saving private practice.

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General
Rebekah Lockhart

Community Outreach Ideas to Boost Referrals & Brand Awareness

Running your own practice means wearing a lot of hats, and one of the most important is ensuring that your practice is on potential patients’ radar as a trustworthy source of care. Large hospital systems have substantial marketing budgets, but community outreach provides independent physicians with a powerful and authentic way to build relationships, earn referrals, and strengthen their brand. Here’s how you can make a big impact in your local community (without spending a fortune): Host Free Health Screenings and / or Educational Workshops Events such as blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and seminars on managing things like diabetes or menopause are a win-win: they serve the community and introduce you as a trusted provider. Source: According to the CDC, workplace or community health programs improve access to care and increase patient engagement. Sponsor or Participate in Local Events Farmers’ markets, youth sports, charity runs, and community fairs are an excellent way to connect with people on a personal level.   Strong community engagement helps build trust, foster patient loyalty, and increase referrals, a key principle supported by the American Medical Association’s emphasis on patient-centered care and practice visibility. Partner with Other Local Providers Don’t think of nearby chiropractors, dentists, or physical therapists as competition; they can actually be allies. Building relationships with other healthcare professionals leads to mutual referrals and a more comprehensive care network. Get Involved with Schools & Youth Programs Many families choose pediatricians, family doctors, and specialists based on school or community recommendations. Use Social Media

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Podcasts
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Women in Medicine

In honor of Women in Medicine Month, in this episode IndeDocs Vice President Dr. Eveline (“Dede”) Waring talks with fellow female physicians Dr. Emily Darr, Dr. Piave Pitisci Lake, Dr. Joni Mazza, and Dr. Fiona Rahbar about how to navigate challenges, optimize resources, and find your superpowers as a woman in medicine.

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General
Rebekah Lockhart

Direct Primary Care & Concierge Medicine: 2025 Trends for South Carolina’s Independent Physicians

Independent doctors across South Carolina are exploring creative ways to stay autonomous and financially sustainable in 2025, and two practice models are getting a lot of buzz: Direct Primary Care (DPC) and Concierge Medicine. These approaches eliminate insurance hassles, provide more time with patients, and can dramatically improve both revenue stability and work-life balance. But what’s happening in these spaces right now, and what should you know if you’re considering a switch?  Here’s the latest: What’s Driving Growth in DPC & Concierge Practices? Nationwide, the number of direct pay and concierge practices grew by nearly 18% between 2022 and 2024, with continued growth projected into 2025 as doctors look for ways to escape the paperwork and burnout of traditional fee-for-service models. Medical Economics How DPC and Concierge Models Differ Direct Primary Care (DPC) typically charges patients a flat monthly fee covering most primary care services with no insurance billing. Concierge Medicine often charges a higher annual retainer but may still bill insurance for covered services. Concierge models often include perks like priority scheduling, longer visits, and enhanced care coordination. Key Trends in 2025 Legal and Compliance Considerations While DPC and concierge models give you freedom from insurers, they come with unique requirements: Is DPC or concierge medicine right for your practice? Ask yourself whether you’re spending more time on billing than actually seeing patients, or if you wish you could reduce your patient panel size to spend more time with each individual. Consider whether your patients would be willing and

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Podcasts
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3 Steps to Building a Million-Dollar Practice

In this episode, IndeDocs Vice President Dr. Eveline (“Dede”) Waring talks with fellow board member Dr. Morris Brown about three steps to building a million dollar practice while also elevating the quality of patient care and maintaining work-life balance.

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General
Rebekah Lockhart

How to Recruit & Keep Great Staff When Everyone’s Hiring

Let’s face it: finding and keeping good staff these days isn’t getting any easier. Healthcare labor shortage persists with turnover for medical support roles nationwide hovering around 30%, leaving many small practices struggling to compete with large hospital systems that offer attractive sign-on bonuses. But here’s the upside: as an independent physician, you can offer what many big systems can’t— flexibility, connection, and a supportive environment. Here’s how to make the most of those strengths and attract the team your practice needs to thrive: Highlight the Perks of a Small Practice Bigger employers may pay more, but many healthcare workers are craving: Showcase these advantages in your job postings, interviews, and staff conversations. A recent LinkedIn report confirms employees in healthcare are increasingly prioritizing flexibility, connection, and meaningful work over salary alone. Write Job Postings That Stand Out Generic, buzzword-filled postings won’t cut it. Make your job ads clear, specific, and authentic: Build Relationships with Local Schools & Training Programs Build relationships with South Carolina community colleges and technical schools offering medical assistant, nursing, or billing/coding programs. Offer to: Not only does this create a hiring pipeline, but it also shows students what’s special about working in an independent practice. The South Carolina Hospital Association’s 2025 Workforce Report encourages partnerships between practices and local training programs to address the state’s ongoing healthcare staffing shortages. Be Transparent About Pay & Perks With so many healthcare jobs open, candidates want details upfront. Include a salary range, benefits summary, and perks like: Embracing

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