Are you worried about how your practice can grow in the midst of this pandemic?

You’ve heard it before: people aren’t really sold on the whole video counseling thing

Insurance companies are making it harder to function

Potential clients (and maybe even you) are squeezing your pennies until they squeal?

Then check out my tips I am sharing with you for free in hopes that it might inspire hope in these dark times of uncertainty.

I share not only from the perspective of a group practice owner, but also as the owner of a VA business that helps with billing, credentialing, and scheduling.

1. BEING ON INSURANCE PANELS IS A GOOD THING RIGHT NOW AND WILL BE GOOD IN THE FUTURE:

I know some of you are thinking I’m bullshitting you because

· Hold times are over an hour and

· Sometimes insurance is waiving copays and then they’re not,

· Sometimes they’re covering video counseling and then they’re not.

· And which DAMN modifier do we use anyway?

· The representatives don’t even know if they usually have a copay or a deductible right now.

Here’s my logic:

PROBLEMS WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL BE SHORT LIVED.

PEOPLE’S EMOTIONAL DISTRESS SURROUNDING THE IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS WILL BE LONG LIVED

(or not depending on how good of a therapist you are, no pressure 😉).

People are being hit in their pocket books right now. The economy has grinded to a halt.

When people begin seeking out therapy for financial stress, grief, etc. guess what?

They’re going to want to use their insurance to make it more affordable for them.

If you are or will be on insurance panels, then you should already….

START ADVERTISING THAT YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE. Don’t be that person who only puts the banner at the bottom of your Facebook profile that says you offer video counseling (you know who you are).

People don’t want to be told what you offer. They want help and relief fast.

2. SPEAK TO PEOPLE’S FEARS AND PAIN POINTS

What are people’s pain points around the coronavirus? Probably the same as yours.

· Will I be able to make my payment this month?

· Will my loved ones die?

· Will I be able to find what I need at the store today?

· Will I be able to work from home AND not kill my partner/kids.

Speak to these fears, and let folks know they don’t need the answers to HAVE RELIEF.

YOUR JOB is to talk about how they find that relief (think being present in the moment, finding joy in the small things, and everything else school and life experience taught you).

Your next step is to BE CONSISTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. Blog, do your videos, your Tik Tok, your Facebook advertising, your Instagram… whatever method feels right for you.

I’m going to say something that is going to CONTRADICT everything you’ve been taught. THE PLATFORM YOU USE DOESN’T MATTER. (Within reason, don’t go trying to find MySpace and MSN Chatrooms).

What matters is what can sustain your interest long enough to make you be consistent and be on people’s radar. So if it’s podcasts do that, if that’s Youtube do that, if it’s blogging, do that….AND PUT YOUR ALL INTO IT get my drift?

3. OUTSOURCE THE THINGS THAT ARE STRESSING YOU OUT

I know here is where you think, I’m pitching to you, but I’m really not,

and here’s why:

If you’re exhausted because you were on hold with insurance companies for 2 hours while your kids were screaming in the background,

If you’re exhausted because you just saw 4 clients…

and you spent the remainder of the time returning phone calls….returning emails….teaching your children their school work…making dinner….and go shopping but at 4 different stores….There’s no YOU TIME and you get frazzled.

BEING FRAZZLED LEADS TO FRUSTRATION

FRUSTRATION LEADS TO BEING SHORT WITH CLIENTS

BEING SHORT WITH CLIENTS LEADS TO CLIENTS NOT FEELING VALUED

NOT FEELING VALUED LEADS TO CLIENTS LEAVING

CLIENTS LEAVING YOUR PRACTICE MEANS LESS MONEY COMING IN

If you can outsource the bits that are stressing you out:

· The phone calls

· The Emails

· The client’s not paying their balances

· The insurance companies not paying

· Trying to figure out this whole video counseling thing and how to bill

· How to get on insurance panels

You will have the headspace you need to be best version of the therapist/psychiatrist you are

If you want to be less frustrated How about reaching out to us?

Let's Get Started

Just to prove we aren’t solely pitching ourselves: you can also check out these other great resources if you think we won’t be a good fit:

Uriah Guilford at https://www.productivetherapist.com/

Helps with: scheduling, admin support, business consulting, digital marketing

Kari Silverberg at https://www.theraspirepro.com/

Helps with: cleaning up books in Simple Practice, maintenance of simple practice, coaching and consulting

Frances Harvey at https://mysolutionservices.com/

Helps with: Scheduling, Bookkeeping, Coaching, Marketing, and Website updates.

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