Success Through Sustainability
Community Health Center
Urban Massachusetts
Background
This seven-chair clinic in a federally qualified community health center was hemorrhaging red ink. The Board of Trustees was considering closing it. The program was burdened by a lack of accountability and productivity, poor policies, an outdated fee schedule and no plan to improve operations.
Practice Enhancement Plan
- Create a strategic plan
- Set goals (visits per day, productivity per visit, revenue per visit)
- Revise the fee schedule
- Create no-show and emergency policies
- Institute clinical protocols to standardize care and maximize provider productivity
- Weekly meetings with staff to educate and motivate them, foster accountability and achieve buy-in for the plan
Results: Revenue Swing of over $850,000
|
Before Assessment |
After 6 Months |
| Visits: |
7,528 |
9,805 |
| Finances: |
- $628,000 |
+ $250,000 |
| Revenue/Visit: |
$75 |
$160 |
Dental Clinic
Rural Maine
Background
This four-chair clinic in rural Maine had operated in the red since inception. The program was hampered by a scarcity of dentists; it had only two part-time dentists and two full-time hygienists. Its board was two weeks from a vote to eliminate the program. As a last-ditch rescue effort, a program evaluation was initiated.
Practice Enhancement Plan
- Set goals (visits per day, productivity per visit, revenue per visit)
- Develop scheduling, no-show and emergency policies
- Designated access scheduling to improve the payer mix
- Revise the encounter form
- Increase fees
- Institute clinical protocols to standardize care and increase provider productivity
- Educate staff to foster accountability and buy-in
- Recruit a full-time dentist/clinical director
Results: Revenue Swing of $189,000
|
2006 |
2007 |
| Visits: |
4,227 |
4,464 |
| Finances: |
- $159,000 |
+ $30,000 |
| Revenue/Visit: |
$103 |
$127 |
| Cost/Visit: |
$141 |
$120 |
The practice also hired a new dentist to join the program as a full-time dentist/dental director.
Community Health Center
Southeastern Massachusetts
Background
This federally qualified community health center in southeastern Massachusetts had been operating in the red for years. As a result, the board reduced the clinic from four chairs to two.
Practice Enhancement Plan
- Set goals (number of visits per day, productivity per visit, revenue per visit)
- Designated access scheduling to improve the payer mix
- Redefine no-show and emergency policies
- Institute clinical protocols to enhance productivity and standardize treatment
- Educate the dental staff to foster accountability and buy-in
Results: Revenue Swing of $180,000; Increased Productivity and Access
|
2006 |
2007 |
| Visits: |
3,391 |
5,642 |
| Finances: |
- $74,731 |
+ $105,000 |
| Revenue/Visit: |
$71 |
$106 |
| Cost/Visit: |
$93 |
$87 |
