Top Tips for Operating a Patient-Centered OB/GYN Private Practice

Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB/GYNs) play a vital role in women’s healthcare, offering a wide range of services from pregnancy and childbirth to reproductive health. While many OB/GYNs choose to work in hospitals or healthcare systems, working out of an independent practice has numerous advantages. But without the support and infrastructure larger healthcare systems offer, independent OB/GYNs are left responsible for making major decisions impacting the practice and the patients receiving care. In this article, we’ll explore the primary benefits you’ll experience when you work for a private practice and we’ll provide tips for ensuring your clinic is profitable and patient-centric.

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Advantages of Working at a Private Practice

Autonomy and Practice Control. One of the primary benefits of working for a private practice as an OB/GYN is the level of autonomy and control you have over your practice. Instead of feeling pressured to work within existing technology and policies, you can make decisions independently. This autonomy allows you to provide care the way you see fit, aligning with your personal and professional values. 

Patient-Centered Care. Private practice offers OB/GYNs the opportunity to develop long-term patient relationships. With fewer time constraints, you can provide personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. This personalized approach often results in enhanced patient satisfaction, as they appreciate the individual attention they receive.

Financial Benefits. OB/GYNs working in private practices have the potential for higher income and profit sharing in addition to greater control over billing processes. As a smaller, independent practice, you can more easily pinpoint areas where your RCM can be improved.

Patient Volume Control. OB/GYNs in private practice can manage their patient load more effectively, preventing burnout and ensuring a higher standard of care. With more time available per patient, you can focus on quality over quantity.

Tips for Making Your Private OB/GYN Practice a Success

Prioritize Patient Comfort

Receiving gynecological care isn’t something patients look forward to — but as part of their care team, you can be proactive in making these appointments a little less daunting. OB/GYNs and their supporting staff can prioritize patient comfort and care during appointments by creating a welcoming and supportive environment that addresses patients’ physical and emotional needs.

  1. To start, consider the physical environment your patients will be in. From the moment someone walks through your doors, they should feel welcomed and at ease. Your lobby should be adequately furnished, and ideally, patients should be greeted upon walking in. In addition, comfortable examination rooms are essential. They should be clean, well-lit, and properly equipped, and patients should be provided with gowns, drapes, and blankets for privacy during examinations.
  2. Form meaningful relationships with your patients. Gynecological appointments are highly personal, and it goes a long way to take the time to build rapport with patients to ensure they are as comfortable as possible. Start by introducing yourself and your staff, and allow patients the opportunity to ask any questions they may have prior to conducting an exam or test. Make sure you actively listen to the patient’s concerns, questions, and preferences.
  3. Offer resources and support following appointments. Follow-up and support are always important for patients, but even more so for those undergoing treatment or facing health challenges. Post-appointment support and resources should be provided. OB/GYNs should provide educational materials and resources to help patients understand their health conditions and treatment options, and offer guidance on lifestyle choices that can improve health.
  4. Welcome patient feedback. A feedback mechanism is crucial for improvement. Patients should be encouraged to provide feedback and reviews, and this input should be used to continuously enhance the quality of care. It’s also important to respond to patient feedback in a constructive, supportive manner.

By ensuring everyone feels safe and comfortable, you can provide better outcomes and establish the foundation for long-lasting relationships with current and prospective patients.

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Utilize Technology to Save Time and Supercharge Patient Care

Practice management software like Benchmark PM serves as a crucial tool in improving the operations of OB/GYN practices by automating various administrative tasks and enhancing overall efficiency.

  • Schedule Appointments with Ease. PM software comes with an efficient appointment scheduling system that reduces patient waiting times and minimizes overbooking, leading to an improved patient experience.
  • View All Things Billing in One Location. With practice management software, you can submit and audit billing and insurance claims, ensuring timely and accurate payments while minimizing errors and claim denials.
  • Glean Valuable Insights and Make Data-Based Decisions. Each appointment scheduled and interaction documented creates valuable data. Software makes it easy to configure custom reports so you can continue to improve your processes.

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On the other hand, electronic health records like Benchmark EHR make it easy to document patient encounters and deliver exceptional care.

  • Reference Progress Notes. In order to best advise your patients, having a birds-eye view of their health over time is crucial. An EHR provides one central location for all patient data to be stored.
  • Create Progress Notes in Real Time. Rather than catching up on your notes at the end of the day, document patient encounters on the fly by using your EHR’s note-taking capabilities.
  • Provide Patient Education Materials. EHR software can compile leave-behind materials tailored to each patient based on their unique medical background.

Optimize Your Billing Processes

Improving billing practices in obstetrics and gynecology practices is essential for ensuring the financial stability of the healthcare facility while maintaining patient satisfaction. Here are several ways OB/GYN practices can enhance their billing procedures:

Invest in Ongoing Staff Training and Education: Begin by ensuring that your billing staff is well-trained in current medical billing codes, regulations, and insurance policies. Regular training and workshops can help them stay updated with the latest changes in the field, reducing errors and rejections.

Use the Right Codes: Your EHR software should make it easy for you to identify what codes to use in each scenario. By using the right codes when billing, you can ensure timely reimbursements. Having a reference sheet handy makes it easy to quickly look up codes used frequently by OB/GYNs.

Outsource Billing and Coding: An alternative to continuously investing in training for your billing staff is outsourcing those services. Some OB/GYN practices opt to outsource their billing to professional medical billing companies. This can reduce overhead and free up your time all while enhancing profitability.

Learn More About Benchmark RCM

Benchmark Solutions Offers the Software and Services You Need to Run Your OB/GYN Practice.

Keeping up with new technological advancements isn’t easy — especially when the healthcare industry is changing rapidly. No matter what vendor you choose, make sure you select a partner that’s willing to adapt and flex as the industry evolves. At Benchmark Solutions, we understand that busy practices need scalable software and services, so we partner with our clients to customize our offering to fit the way you work.