Why I Chose a Cash-Based Practice to Prioritize Patient Care

The Challenges of Working Within Insurance Constraints

• Over the past 20 years, I've worked in various environments (acute care, outpatient orthopedics, long-term care, home health care), and they all have one thing in common: nearly every year, health insurance companies have decreased reimbursement amounts instead of increasing them to match the rising cost of living. I've seen the companies I've worked for continually grapple with providing more for less, often delivering treatments they knew wouldn't be reimbursed because they didn't want to compromise on patient care. Healthcare worker burnout has soared, and I realized I needed a change.

The Decision to Transition to a Cash-Based Practice

• I never saw myself becoming a business owner, but after thorough consideration and research, I realized that adopting a cash-based model for my physical therapy practice was the perfect choice for me. This approach enables me to work with patients individually, focus entirely on them, and offer the treatments I believe are most appropriate, without being restricted by third-party dictates or payment limitations.

What Are the Benefits of Cash-Based Physical Therapy for Patients?

• Without the limitations of insurance approval concerns, I can collaborate more effectively with each patient, jointly determining the services and number of treatments that best serve them. I have the liberty to use the most effective treatments, even if they aren't usually covered by insurance. This allows me to design a care plan tailored to the patient's needs, considering time and financial limitations, and gives the patient greater autonomy in their care journey. I consider it an immense honor when someone trusts me to be a part of their wellness journey. My primary goal is to add value to each patient's life by providing truly holistic care, taking into account all of the intrinsic factors that led them to where they are and treating the whole person.