There has been much talk about the medical integration of clinics over the last several years.  However, never in history has there been a better time to medically integrate your center by joining forces with other qualified health care professionals.

Today, it is obvious that the core problem in healthcare lies in the fact that there are currently no significant entities that can provide quality care at sufficiently low prices on a large enough scale to service the overwhelming needs of the population.  By integrating the skills of a chiropractor and a medical physician, it will lead to the development of a comprehensive network of medically integrated healthcare facilities able to compete aggressively and perfectly in both the retail fee for service and managed care environment, as a low cost/ high quality healthcare provider. 

However, before any such endeavor is even considered, the DC needs to have a very strong belief, understanding and have a well-grounded philosophy about Chiropractic care. Indeed, having a medical integrated center is not a means to circumvent limited billing issues but rather a true the opportunity to offer enhancement of the patient overall treatment care.  Hence the qualified DC needs to have a firm and genuine desire to utilize his skills to fully maximize his potential and patients results. Once this concept is well established and fully utilized in the practice, the DC can consider joining other health care practitioners. These professionals should have a great love and respect for the practice of medicine and be willing to work side by side with a DC to provide genuine unadulterated natural care as a primary option and subsequently when and if necessary medical care.

Following is a list of recommendations to maximize the medically integrated center’s potential:

 Clinic Name: Choose a name, which clearly describes and honestly identifies the services rendered.

            Example: Alternative Holistic Health Center

Equipment: Have a diversified variety of therapeutic modalities which will properly attend to patient’s needs and their conditions.

Staff: All staff members need to be extensively trained and knowledgeable about all services being offered.

            Example: Staff needs to have scripts on all modalities and procedures used to continually educate and service the patients.

Advertising: The center needs to develop a well-designed comprehensive marketing plan by clearly delineating the integrated medical center brad scope of practice.  

Charges: An integrated medical center will have a wide variety of plans accommodating various patients.

            Example: A medical weight loss program offering 12 weeks for $950.00 which includes comprehensive medical evaluation, nutrition, blood work, re-exam, and a timely follow up schedule.

Health Care Practioner: In order to compete and stay “one step above”, the integrated medical center needs diversity.

            Example: A DC, an MD, an NP, an acupuncturist, a pain management specialist (i.e. anesthesiologist), a nutritionist, a physical therapist, two massage therapists (male & female) ….

Given our nation’s growth, the integrated medical center is an idea of which time has arrived.