10 Tips on How to Open a Successful Medical Office

Opening a medical office involves several steps and considerations, especially when it comes to insurance, liabilities, regulatory bodies, and other governmental guidelines. It’s important to be very thorough in what you’d like to accomplish with your office. We spoke to leasing expert and Director of National Accounts, Brian Sheehan, to find out what general steps you may want to take. Here’s what he shared.

1. Develop a Business Plan

Before launching a medical office, it's essential to assess the area's demand for services and create a business plan. This plan should detail your objectives, target market, the services you'll offer, and your financial forecasts. This plan will serve as a roadmap for your business and help you secure financing if needed.

2. Secure Financing

Before you can open your medical practice, you'll need to find the right financing options. Research different lenders and sources of funding to determine the best option for your situation.

3. Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits

Based on your location and the specific medical services you intend to provide, you might need to secure various licenses and permits from your state or local authorities. These may include a business license, medical license, and facility permit.

4. Choose a Location

Location is key when it comes to success in business, especially in the field of healthcare services. Look for a location that is convenient for patients and offers good visibility and easy access from major roads or highways. Pro Tip: Look into retail space leasing options and commercial property leasing in grocery-anchored centers. Space in a grocery-anchored shopping center typically offers these advantages while also providing plenty of parking and allowing your clients easy access to other goods and services during their visit.

5. Set Up the Physical Space

Once you have a location, you will need to set up the physical space of your medical office. From purchasing medical equipment to finding the right software and technology solutions, there are many things to consider when setting up a medical office. Make sure to research all necessary requirements that must be met before you open. Verify all equipment needed to run operations are up-to-date and in compliance with safety standards set forth by relevant medical organizations or governing bodies in your locality or jurisdiction.

6. Hire a Team 

You will need to hire staff for your medical office, but ensure you’re hiring qualified staff such as nurses, physicians, administrative personnel, billing specialists, etc., depending on the type of medical office you’re opening. By making sure that all staff is certified and well-educated, you avoid exposure to significant liabilities.

7. Put Safety Protocols in Place 

Make sure your practice follows all safety regulations set by OSHA, HIPAA, and other federal agencies so that you always ensure patient privacy as well as general safety protocols in your office environment. Consider implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system for managing patient data securely and efficiently.

8. Standard Operating Procedure

Before accepting any patients, adapt a standard operating procedure (SOP) for your office. This involves your process for scheduling appointments, admitting your patients, and maintaining any patient/personnel records. Consider creating a workflow process that outlines how tasks will be managed on a day-to-day basis, including patient check-in/check-outs, staff responsibilities, etc.

9. Obtain Insurance

It is important to obtain liability insurance to protect your medical office in the event of a lawsuit or other legal action. Make sure to also establish relationships with health insurance companies so that you can accept patients who have different types of insurance.

10. Advertise Your Services 

Once your medical office is up and running, you will need to advertise your services to attract patients. This may include creating a website, participating in community events, and networking with other medical professionals.

Opening a medical office can be a complex process, and the specific requirements will vary depending on your location and the type of services you plan to offer. It is important to do thorough research and consult with professionals in the field to ensure that you have all the necessary information and resources to be successful.