Checklist to Grow Your Practice —Free Guide.
Keys to a Thriving Independent Practice
From reimbursements to reputation—here’s what every practice needs to grow with confidence.
Join Medical Groups
Independent medical groups—also known as Independent Physician Associations (IPAs)—allow small and mid-sized practices to stay independent while gaining the power of a large network.
Here’s how joining a medical group can benefit your practice:
Better Contract Rates with Health Plans
Medical groups negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, often securing higher reimbursement rates than a solo practice could get on its own.Steady Flow of New Patients
Many health plans prefer to refer patients to physicians within established groups, helping keep your schedule full.Access to Shared Resources
From continuing education to care coordination tools, medical groups offer support that helps your practice run more efficiently.Simplified Credentialing and Billing Support
Groups often streamline the credentialing process and offer help with medical billing challenges through preferred vendors or internal teams.Stay Independent, But Not Alone
You remain in control of your practice while benefiting from the structure, negotiation power, and support of a larger network.
Example
Santa Clara County IPA (SCCIPA)
Need more help? Connect with a consultant that has worked with hundreds of independent practices throughout California.
SCCIPA supports over 1,000 providers, who support over 40,000 members/patients.
Strong Health Plan Contracts
Direct agreements with major insurers like Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, and UnitedHealthcare.
Large Independent Provider Network
Over 750 SpecialistsOver 250 Primary Care Providers
Centralized Administrative Support
Services include claims processing, referral management, care coordination, and compliance assistance.Value-Based Care Expertise
Assistance with HEDIS measures, CMS reporting, and quality benchmarks to support payer performance.Independent but Connected
Physicians maintain autonomy while benefiting from group-level bargaining power and shared infrastructure.
By joining an IPA like SCCIPA, a practice gains access to health plan contracts, patients, referrals, and additional tools to increase revenue.
Partner with Health Insurance Brokers
National carriers may offer broad coverage—but local insurance brokers offer something even more valuable: personalized insight into your community’s needs.
When you partner with a broker who knows your region, patient demographics, and local regulations, you gain a strategic advantage:
Coverage That Fits Your Practice
Local brokers understand what risks medical providers in your area actually face—whether it’s based on regional health trends, patient volume, or state-specific laws. They’ll help tailor a policy that protects against real exposures.Trusted Relationships with Regional Carriers
Many local brokers have long-standing relationships with carriers that specialize in your zip code or county. This can mean better rates, faster service, and fewer headaches when you need support.Faster, Friendlier Service
Unlike call centers or one-size-fits-all platforms, a local broker picks up the phone, knows your name, and works directly for you—not the insurance company.Business Advice That Goes Beyond Policies
Whether it’s opening a second location, hiring new staff, or updating your malpractice coverage, a community-based broker brings real-world experience from working with other nearby practices like yours.
At the end of the day, local knowledge = smarter coverage.
Example
MC Insurance
Partnering with an experienced agency like MC Insurance can help providers expand their patient base. Here’s how:
Strong Community Ties
MC Insurance has long-standing relationships with individuals, families, and businesses in the area. When patients turn to their trusted agency for help selecting a health plan, MC Insurance can guide them toward plans that include your practice in-network—bringing new patients your way.Expert Navigation of Health Plans
Many patients struggle to understand which doctors are in-network for their chosen plans. MC Insurance helps patients make sense of their options and can highlight providers like you who are part of high-quality networks.Targeted Referrals
As licensed agents, MC Insurance knows which carriers and networks offer the best value and access. By collaborating with them, your practice can be positioned as a go-to provider for members enrolling in those plans.Support During Open Enrollment
During open/annual enrollment periods, the agency assists thousands of individuals. That’s a key opportunity to direct patients to your practice as part of their health plan selection.
Need more help? Connect with a consultant that has worked with hundreds of independent practices throughout California.
Find the Right Broker for Business Insurance
Shopping for insurance as a medical practice can be time-consuming and confusing—especially when trying to compare coverages, carriers, and exclusions. An experienced insurance broker makes the process easier, more efficient, and more effective.
Access to Multiple Carriers
Rather than getting just one quote, brokers compare policies from multiple reputable insurers. This helps ensure competitive pricing and coverage that fits the specific risks of a healthcare business.
Comprehensive Protection
A broker can secure all necessary coverage—general liability, workers’ compensation, employment practices liability (EPLI), and medical malpractice—under one roof. This reduces the chances of gaps in protection.
Industry-Specific Expertise
Brokers who work with medical practices understand the risks associated with patient care, employee exposure, data breaches, and regulatory issues. That experience helps providers avoid common pitfalls and unnecessary costs.
Support During Claims
In the event of a claim, brokers serve as advocates, guiding practices through the process and helping them communicate effectively with insurance carriers.
No Additional Cost
There is no extra fee for using a broker. Brokers are compensated by the insurance companies, so practices receive expert advice and service without added expense.
Why Choose Erazo Insurance for Your Medical Practice?
1. Shop Multiple Carriers
Erazo Insurance works with a wide network of top-rated carriers to find the most competitive pricing and coverage options. Instead of spending hours comparing quotes on your own, you get a single point of contact who does the heavy lifting—saving you time and money.
2. Specialized Care
Erazo Insurance understands the unique risks and regulatory requirements medical practices face. From general liability and workers’ comp to employment practices liability (EPLI) and medical malpractice, they offer expert guidance to ensure your coverage meets healthcare industry standards.
3. Personalized, No-Pressure Service
With no upfront fees and no aggressive sales tactics, the Erazo team focuses on building long-term relationships. You’ll work with a licensed broker—not a call center or chatbot—who takes the time to understand your practice and recommend solutions that fit your needs.
4. Ongoing Support Beyond the Sale
Whether it’s handling certificates of insurance, adding new providers, or guiding you through a claim, Erazo Insurance continues to support your practice after the policy is active—making insurance one less thing to worry about.
Need more help? Connect with a consultant that has worked with hundreds of independent practices throughout California.
Get Marketing Materials and Branding
Professional marketing doesn’t have to come with agency-level prices. Platforms like Fiverr.com make it easy for medical practices to access talented freelancers for a wide range of marketing services—quickly and affordably.
Here’s why working with freelance vendors can be a smart move:
Affordable & Flexible
Freelancers on Fiverr offer services at a variety of price points, making it easy to find help that fits any budget—whether it’s a one-time flyer or a full brand refresh.
Specialized Skills On Demand
Need a logo? A brochure? A patient-friendly website? Fiverr hosts thousands of vetted professionals with healthcare marketing experience who can deliver exactly what you need—often within days.
Scalable to Your Practice
Whether you're a solo provider or a growing multi-location practice, you can scale your marketing support up or down as needed, without long-term contracts or overhead.
Transparent Reviews and Portfolios
Each freelancer has a public track record—complete with ratings, reviews, and past work samples—so practices can make confident hiring decisions.
Saves Time
Instead of hunting for referrals or managing in-house staff, Fiverr simplifies the process. Just choose a vendor, submit your request, and they handle the rest.
Need more help? Connect with a consultant that has worked with hundreds of independent practices throughout California.
Why Small Practices Should Use Fiverr for Marketing & Branding
1. Affordable Professional Services
Small practices often have limited marketing budgets. Fiverr offers access to professional graphic designers, web developers, SEO experts, and content creators—often at a fraction of traditional agency costs. You can get polished results without overspending.
2. On-Demand Talent
Whether you need a logo, a brochure, a website refresh, or social media content, Fiverr gives you the flexibility to hire skilled freelancers as needed—without the long-term commitment of a full-time hire or retainer.
3. Custom Solutions for Your Practice
You can filter providers based on experience, price, turnaround time, and healthcare industry knowledge. This allows you to find freelancers who understand how to speak to your audience—whether it’s designing signage for your waiting room or creating ads for your Medicare patients.
4. Fast Turnaround & Clear Pricing
Fiverr’s platform is built for speed and clarity. Most services come with upfront pricing, package options, and guaranteed delivery timelines, so you know exactly what to expect.
5. Scalable as You Grow
As your practice expands, so can your use of Fiverr. From basic flyers to full-scale brand identity packages or video ads, you can easily scale your marketing efforts without hiring an in-house team.
Hire Medical Billers
While many practices rely on front office staff to handle billing, outsourcing to dedicated medical billing professionals offers greater efficiency, accuracy, and long-term financial benefits.
Here’s why it pays to work with experienced billers:
Fewer Errors, Faster Reimbursements
Professional medical billers are trained to reduce coding errors, avoid claim denials, and follow up promptly. This leads to quicker payments and fewer delays.
More Time for Patient Care
Outsourcing billing frees up office staff to focus on scheduling, intake, and patient service—instead of juggling claims, coding, and insurance calls.
Stay Compliant with Changing Regulations
Billing regulations, payer requirements, and coding systems (like ICD-10 and CPT) are constantly evolving. Specialized billers stay up to date to keep your practice compliant and audit-ready.
Scalable Support Without Hiring More Staff
Need help with a billing backlog or growing patient volume? Outsourced billers can scale with your needs—without the cost and time of recruiting, training, or managing new employees.
Improve Cash Flow and Revenue Cycle
With a dedicated focus on revenue cycle management, professional billers help identify underpayments, spot billing trends, and increase overall collections.
Need more help? Connect with a consultant that has worked with hundreds of independent practices throughout California.
Purchase an EHR
In today’s healthcare environment, an Electronic Health Record (EHR) isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. EHR systems give independent practices the tools to stay competitive, organized, and patient-centered.
Here’s why investing in an EHR is a smart move:
Improves Patient Care
EHRs give providers instant access to complete, accurate patient records—from vitals and lab results to medication history—allowing for faster, safer, and more informed care.
Streamlines Practice Operations
With built-in tools for scheduling, billing, charting, and messaging, EHRs reduce administrative burden and eliminate the need for multiple disconnected systems.
Enables Better Communication and Referrals
Systems like Epic offer secure sharing with hospitals, specialists, and other providers. This leads to faster referrals, coordinated care, and better outcomes for patients.
Supports Telehealth and Patient Engagement
Modern EHRs integrate with patient portals and telemedicine platforms, helping practices stay connected with patients and meet their expectations for convenience and access.
Helps Meet Regulatory Requirements
EHRs make it easier to comply with HIPAA, MACRA, MIPS, and other reporting requirements—protecting your practice from penalties and audits.
Drives Practice Growth
A reliable EHR helps practices operate more efficiently, retain patients, and scale confidently—whether you're adding providers or expanding services.
Independent doesn’t have to mean outdated. With the right EHR, even small practices can deliver big-system care—with less paperwork and more peace of mind.
What It Is:
A cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) system for documenting patient care and managing clinical workflows.
Key Features:
SOAP notes and customizable charting
Lab integration and health information exchange (HIE) connections
Document management for patient records
HIPAA-compliant and accessible from anywhere
Includes Practice Mate (practice management) and Service Center (claims clearinghouse) at no extra cost
Add-On Options:
Electronic prescribing (eRx)
Patient reminders
Secure messaging
Patient health portal
Pricing:
Around $44.95 per provider/month.
Need more help? Connect with a consultant that has worked with hundreds of independent practices throughout California.