Nurse Practitioners in Business

MARCH 6, 2025

As an NP in private practice, youre balancing patient care with operating a business. Unfortunately, the two dont always align. All business owners are looking for ways to increase income and boost the bottom line. Upselling and cross-selling are widely used practices to do just that; they increase the value of a sale or service. While retail and other industries have some restrictions on how they can sell to consumers, healthcare is far more regulated and restrictive.

Business 195

Business Private Practice Best Practices Self-Care 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

Chances are youve heard some version of Would you like fries with that? when buying a domain name before. After you decide on a name and enter your credit card, most domain registrars offer a string of add-ons. And you wonder, rightly so, if you need any of them. The most common add-ons include products and services like: Additional domain extensions Domain variants Web hosting Domain privacy protection SSL certificates Website builders Web design services Domain email Auto-renewal protection Se

Business 195

Business Nurse Practitioner Legal Issues 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Picking a name for your business is one of the first steps to launching an independent Nurse Practitioner practice. The business name you choose will shape your brand identity, influence how patients and colleagues perceive you, and impact your ability to market and grow your practice over time. A well-chosen name can serve you for years without causing any branding, marketing, or legal challenges.

Nurse Practitioner 195

Nurse Practitioner Business Legal Issues 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

As a healthcare provider and business owner, you are no stranger to stress. Sometimes, the stress can feel overwhelming, from caring for patients to managing your office and everything in between. Yet stress, if ignored, can build up and eventually lead to burnout. But it doesnt have to end this way Dont allow stress to reach a level that may jeopardize your health, along with your business.

Self-Care 221

Self-Care Business Nurse Practitioner 221

Nurse Practitioners in Business

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

The tax season is moving into full swing. People and businesses get ready to file their yearly income tax. While business filing dates can vary with the choice of business structure and date of formation, most small business owners file their business taxes when they file their personal tax returns. Filing taxes should be simple and easy in theory, but often, the reality is very different.

Business 286

Business Retirement Health Insurance Malpractice 286

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JANUARY 30, 2025

Youve probably heard the phrase Cash is King. What does that mean for your Nurse Practitioner (NP) practice? If youre bringing in plenty of revenue, that should mean your practice is financially healthy, right? Well, not necessarily. Many business owners falsely assume their business is doing well if they bring in lots of money. And so do NPs in their own practices.

Business 195

Business Nurse Practitioner Education 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JANUARY 23, 2025

Tracking the financial health of your practice is as important as tracking the physical health of a person. Both utilize data and define milestones to track and evaluate progress. Comfortable… As a Nurse Practitioner, youre comfortable with the physical side of things a patients weight, blood pressure, lab results, and the like. You collect and review the data and make clinical decisions based on it.

Business 195

Business Telemedicine Private Practice Nurse Practitioner 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JANUARY 16, 2025

If youve been in practice for any length of time, whether as a practice owner or employee, you know firsthand how disruptive and annoying missed and late appointments can be. Your schedule is turned upside down, patient flow and workflow are disrupted, and the practice revenue goes down. While unpleasant and annoying, missed and late appointments will continue if you deal with people.

Staff Training 195

Staff Training Communication Business Education 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JANUARY 9, 2025

Stepping out and starting your own practice is exciting. At the same time, entering unfamiliar territory may feel scary and intimidating. Not only must you tend to the medical side of your practice, but many non-medical things need your attention , too. And to make matters worse, sometimes, decisions must be made faster than youd like. Choosing the correct business entity is one of the most critical decisions when starting a practice, but you dont want to rush it.

Business 195

Business Malpractice Licensing Self-Care 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Congratulations! Youve taken the bold step of starting your own nurse practitioner (NP) practice. This is an exciting milestone, but lets face ityour first year in business is going to be a whirlwind. From attracting patients to managing administrative tasks and finances, theres a lot to juggle. In this post, Ill walk you through what you can expect during your first year and share actionable tips to help you navigate this critical phase successfully.

Nurse Practitioner 195

Nurse Practitioner HIPAA Self-Care Business 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

DECEMBER 5, 2024

Marketing feels daunting to many nurse practitioners. Afterall, you have your hands full with seeing patients and running your practice. And yet, it’s essential in order to have the patients that make this all worthwhile. In this episode of the NP Business Matters podcast, we discuss the first and most important things NPs want to do when marketing their practices.

Nurse Practitioner 195

Nurse Practitioner Business 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

NOVEMBER 17, 2024

Do you ever wonder about Direct Primary Care? Judging by the questions we receive at NPBO about this, chances are good you have. On Episode #96 of the NP Business Matters Podcast, we speak with Dr. Penni Vashon, DNP, APRN of Charleston, SC, about DPC practices. What is DPC? Pros and Cons of DPC practice? Who are they for, and who are they not for? And we will find out more about the first DPC conference specifically for NPs and PAs being held February 7-9 in Charleston!

APRN 221

APRN Nurse Practitioner Business 221

Nurse Practitioners in Business

OCTOBER 26, 2024

Healthcare practices open and close for many reasons and while we receive most questions about getting started in practice, we also receive questions about closing a practice. In the US, as you may know, most small businesses fail in the first 5 years. However, closing a practice isn’t always about failure. Life commitments may change; the business owner may move into the season of life where one looks toward retirement.

Malpractice 195

Malpractice Business Licensing HIPAA 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

Most Nurse Practitioners are familiar with non-compete clauses. Some even have firsthand experience of how restrictive they can be, particularly when transitioning from an employed position to starting a practice. However, for a short while, the recent FTC ban on non-compete clauses for most workers seemed to suggest that they would soon be a thing of the past.

Nurse Practitioner 195

Nurse Practitioner Business Starting a Practice Healthcare Laws 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

AUGUST 29, 2024

If you were presented with the idea of having a scribe do all your documentation, would you do it? If you are like the vast majority of healthcare providers, you would jump up and down for the opportunity. Documentation is the least favorite activity for nearly all providers. Enter the healthcare AI (Artificial Intelligence) scribe. It’s a tool that can save you hours and allow you to focus on the patient in front of you.

HIPAA 221

HIPAA Nurse Practitioner Business Practice Management 221

Nurse Practitioners in Business

AUGUST 15, 2024

Most Nurse Practitioner practices today have an online presence… they are on social media and own their website. Sadly, though, websites are sometimes neglected in favor of other channels. Yet, a practice website is more than just a digital presence; it functions as a vital tool for practice. You see, a well-organized and up-to-date website has the potential to attract new clients, keep in touch with existing ones, and ensure you’re in good standing with the law.

HIPAA 397

HIPAA Telemedicine Legal Issues Nurse Practitioner 397

Nurse Practitioners in Business

AUGUST 8, 2024

In response to last week’s article, “ ADA … What It Means For Your Practice ,” we are following up to answer your questions about web accessibility. The sad reality is that most websites today are not fully accessible. Based on WHO figures from 2023 , 1.3 billion people, or 16%, that’s 1 in 6 people worldwide, live with a significant disability, including motor, visual, auditory, speech, and cognitive.

Business 358

Business Nurse Practitioner 358

Nurse Practitioners in Business

AUGUST 2, 2024

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that does or has the potential to, affect your practice. What is your understanding of the ADA, and how much do you know about it? But first, what is it? The ADA, enacted in 1990, is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in: Employment Transportation Public accommodations Communications and Access to government programs and services.

Business 195

Business Nurse Practitioner Communication Staff Training 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JULY 25, 2024

Why would you worry about that as a Nurse Practitioner practice owner? Well, chances are you wouldn’t because you are unaware that the FTC might have an issue with how you market your practice and advertise. Time for a Reality Check… The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) was created in 1914 to prevent unfair competition and deceptive advertising practices that harm consumers.

Nurse Practitioner 396

Nurse Practitioner Business HIPAA Legal Issues 396

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JULY 18, 2024

As nurse practitioners (NPs), we often find ourselves navigating a complex relationship with collaborating physicians. While collaboration, when needed, is essential for optimal patient care, the requirement for formal collaboration agreements in some states has sparked debate within our profession. Having practiced in a full practice state, I’ve experienced the benefits of voluntary collaboration.

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Nurse Practitioner Business 396

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JUNE 13, 2024

When thinking about business, the vast majority of nurses and nurse practitioners start with the idea of doing something that utilizes the professional skills they have developed. That makes sense, you spend years getting your education and developing your skills and talents, why not use them? And use them you can…though perhaps in different ways.

Nurse Entrepreneurs 243

Nurse Entrepreneurs Nurse Practitioner Business Education 243

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JUNE 4, 2024

Are you taking care of yourself? As NPs, we excel in telling patients how important it is to take care of themselves. But how well are we taking care of ourselves personally and professionally? Do we follow our own advice? Some of us do, but I’m afraid for some of us, self-care remains a struggle. What is Self-Care? If you’re thinking about candles, a sip of wine or two, quiet music, and the like, you’re on the right track.

Self-Care 195

Self-Care Business Nurse Practitioner Professional Development 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

MAY 16, 2024

Privacy Alert – Real Life Stories With the majority of personal data online, most people strongly feel the need to protect their privacy for security and safety reasons. You may even be hard-pressed to find anyone arguing that protecting personal data is unnecessary, even though privacy laws in many countries are far stricter than in the US. When we hear of another HIPAA incident, many think of a hospital data breach or a hacked healthcare network.

HIPAA 195

HIPAA Private Practice Health Insurance Business 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

MAY 9, 2024

Have you experienced restrictions or limitations because of a noncompete clause in your contract? If you had to contend with a noncompete clause in the past, you understand how limiting and frustrating it can be. But first, let’s define what it is. What Is a Noncompete Clause? Typically, a noncompete clause is part of an employment contract. It limits or prevents a worker from working for competitors for a set amount of time after leaving employment.

Nurse Practitioner 221

Nurse Practitioner Business Starting a Practice Professional Development 221

Nurse Practitioners in Business

MAY 3, 2024

Small practices are at risk for HIPAA violations. Here are the 5 most common types and their consequences. Are you prepared? HIPAA, aka the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, requires providers and healthcare organizations to protect patient health information. The official definition of HIPAA is: “The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient healt

HIPAA 396

HIPAA Health Insurance Business Nurse Practitioner 396

Nurse Practitioners in Business

APRIL 20, 2024

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) often need guidance in navigating the complex landscape of business ownership. This is where NPBO can help. Over the years, we’ve seen a significant growth in the number of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who have chosen to open and operate their own clinical practices and businesses. However, they will tell you this is not something they’ve learned in school.

Nurse Practitioner 221

Nurse Practitioner Business 221

Nurse Practitioners in Business

APRIL 12, 2024

There was a time when we didn’t have the option to start an independent practice. Unfortunately, in almost half of US states, we still don’t. But times are changing, and I am confident the number of states with full practice will increase. While full practice is not required to start a practice, not having to secure a collaborator or deal with supervision certainly makes life easier.

Starting a Practice 195

Starting a Practice Nurse Practitioner Business Malpractice 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

APRIL 4, 2024

Medical coding is more than the CPT code we submit for a patient visit. It also includes the ICD-10 codes. Nothing new there. But one of the things that may not be as clear is how specific your ICD-10 code needs to be, particularly when it comes to being able to document, code, and submit a claim for more complex patient visits. In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Alicia Scott, CPC, CPC-I, CRC about coding.

Business 221

Business Nurse Practitioner 221

Nurse Practitioners in Business

MARCH 28, 2024

No matter how different our political views are, we can’t dispute the increase in violence across the country in the past few years. Every day, we hear about gun violence, hate crimes, gang fights, violence in schools, and crimes in everyday life. While we may not be the victims today, violence affects us all, reaching even the smallest corners of the country.

HIPAA 195

HIPAA Communication Business Staff Training 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

MARCH 22, 2024

Recently, a tax-related question posted in the Nurse Practitioner in Business FB Group caught my eye. The question concerned FICA taxes and how they are paid. Taxes can be confusing, and since Tax Day is approaching fast, I thought it might be helpful to review taxes as they relate to different business structures. But before I continue, and for the record, what follows is not tax or legal advice.

Business 195

Business Medicare Nurse Practitioner Private Practice 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

MARCH 17, 2024

Do you have a fair amount of outstanding patient balances and difficulties collecting? Well, you’re not alone. It’s common, particularly in small practices, to struggle with collecting money from patients. Most patients never blink an eye when asked for their co-pay, deductible, or other balances. They do everything they can to pay on time and in full.

Nurse Practitioner 418

Nurse Practitioner Business 418

Nurse Practitioners in Business

MARCH 9, 2024

Are you stuck between a rock and a hard place, scrambling to keep your Nurse Practitioner practice open? It’s one thing if you’re struggling for reasons under your control. However, if you’re fighting to keep your doors open for reasons outside your control, that’s a different story. An example is the fallout from the recent cyberattack against Change Healthcare.

Business 195

Business Nurse Practitioner HIPAA Resume 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

FEBRUARY 24, 2024

Maybe you are thinking about starting a practice or are in the process of starting one. Either way, there are countless things to do and consider before you can open your doors. And naturally, you want to do it in the shortest time possible without making mistakes. But unfortunately, it’s tough to avoid making mistakes when starting a practice. Mistakes can happen at any point and across all aspects of building the business.

Medicare 195

Medicare Starting a Practice Business HIPAA 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

What’s changing with email; what are the new rules and requirements? Google and Yahoo released new email rules, all in an effort to cut down on the number of spam and malicious content sent via email. You probably don’t send spam to people on your email list. However, for all of us who don’t spam, plenty of others pick up “the slack.” According to Google : “Gmail’s AI-powered defenses stop more than 99.9% of spam, phishing and malware from reaching inboxes and block nearly 15 billion unwanted em

Business 195

Business Best Practices Nurse Practitioner 195

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JANUARY 25, 2024

Arriving at the decision to go into independent practice can be tough for Nurse Practitioners. It’s understandable because many things must be considered and explored; the possibilities are endless, and so are the unknowns. The decision is further complicated by choosing between buying an established practice vs starting one from the ground up. While most Nurse Practitioners start their own practices, some come across an opportunity to buy an established one.

Nurse Practitioner 221

Nurse Practitioner Starting a Practice Legal Issues Business 221

Nurse Practitioners in Business

JANUARY 6, 2024

Beginning Jan 1, 2024, business owners are required to file Beneficial Ownership Information. If you have a business that you created, and it does not meet the exemptions (which our businesses do not), then you need to file. This 10-minute video breaks it. I talk about: What is it? Who must report? What you need to report Who is a beneficial owner? Privacy How and where to file It really is easy to do.

Business 345

Business Nurse Practitioner 345

Nurse Practitioners in Business

DECEMBER 28, 2023

Once a practice is up and running, there is still quite a bit to keep your eyes open to and manage. Some of the most common issues NPs report have to do with mone: billing, managing funds, and getting enough patients into the practice. Much like the previous last blog post, here are our 2023 top recommended posts and podcast episodes to help you become more successful managing and growing your practice.

Business 397

Business Nurse Practitioner Practice Management 397