Page 3 | Health Care Advisors

⚖️ Before You Replace Your Legal Nurse Consultant with AI, Read This.

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:04:00 GMT

Every day brings another headline announcing that AI can do someone’s job faster, cheaper, or both, raising understandable concerns for many professionals. But here’s the good news: when AI is combined with human expertise, the results are not only faster, but better.

So, it’s no surprise that many attorneys are asking, “Why should I pay someone to do what AI can do faster and at little or no cost?”

At first glance, the answer may seem like a no-brainer. But there’s a hidden risk that many attorneys don’t recognize until the damage has already been done.

Before you rely on AI alone, here’s what you need to consider:

AI is a powerful tool for processing information in minutes!

AI can:

summarize thousands of pages of medical records
organize events into chronological timelines
identify recurring patterns, inconsistencies and documentation gaps
locate supporting literature, guidelines, and relevant medical references
rapidly retrieve information that would take a human days or longer to compile

But AI cannot replace the expert analysis of an experienced Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC.)

LNC’s can:

distinguish clinically significant facts from information that merely appear important
identify failures in clinical judgment—not simply documentation errors
recognize ethical breaches that often drive negligent decision-making
expose communication failures that contributed to patient harm
evaluate whether the documented care would withstand scrutiny under the applicable standard of care
detect AI’s omissions and errors before they become liabilities at trial
translate medical facts into a persuasive, evidence-based case strategy that supports your legal theory

Consider how this could unfold in a courtroom:

A malpractice claim involved a plaintiff who suffered a catastrophic stroke after repeatedly reporting worsening neurological symptoms over a 36-hour period.

The plaintiff’s attorney used AI to organize nearly 4,000 pages of medical records in minutes—a task that would have taken a Legal Nurse Consultant a minimum of weeks to complete.

AI organized the timeline flawlessly, making the delay in diagnosis appear indisputable.

On the surface, the plaintiff’s case looked like a slam dunk, so the attorney chose not to consult a Legal Nurse Consultant.

At trial, however, the case unraveled under cross-examination. Using the same data, the defense showed that each clinician had acted reasonably based on the information available at the time. The documentation was complete. Policies had been followed. The jury returned a verdict for the defense.

It Could Have Been a Different Story

Had the plaintiff’s attorney consulted a Legal Nurse Consultant, especially one with expertise in Clinical Medical Ethics, the events leading to the stroke could have been woven into a compelling story with evidence that revealed far more than a delayed diagnosis. It could have exposed a pattern of preventable clinical and ethical failures, where clinical judgment broke down, the standard of care was breached, and opportunities to prevent harm were missed, fundamentally changing how the jury viewed the case.

Partner AI with an LNC: The Strongest Combination

There’s no denying that AI is an amazingly efficient tool for processing vast amounts of information. However, an experienced LNC, particularly one formally educated in Clinical Medical Ethics, provides the judgment and strategic insight needed to interpret that information, uncover what truly matters and build a legally and ethically compelling case—something AI simply cannot do.

Attorneys whose goal is to build the most compelling, defensible case possible, won’t choose between AI and a Legal Nurse Consultant.

They will capitalize on both.

As a formally educated and experienced Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC), Clinical Medical Ethicist (CME) and Healthcare Educator, I offer a unique perspective that integrates law, medicine and ethics.

Let’s discuss how combining my expertise with AI can provide the deeper analysis, insight, and strategic advantage you need to build stronger cases.

Let’s get acquainted by phone or Zoom.
Clinical Medical Ethics (CME) is a discipline
grounded in evidence-based principles,
their real-world application in clinical care, and ongoing study
as standards, practice, and expectations change.

Contact C.M. Renella RN, CME, LNC
Clinical Medical Ethicist, Legal Nurse Consultant
at crenella@att.net.

Discover how my unique expertise can give your organization an unparalleled advantage!

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Are You Overpaying for Medical Grade Oxygen?

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:06:00 GMT

Many businesses across the healthcare, veterinary, and med spa industries, among others, need medical-grade oxygen in compressed gas form to operate. When it comes to essential expenses, it’s easy to take the number on your invoice at face value. You pay what you need to pay to keep things running.

But how do you know you’re paying a fair price for your medical-grade oxygen? In this article, we take a look at some of the variables that might be impacting your invoices.

A Lot Factors Into Your Compressed Gas Bill.

What a business or practice might be paying for compressed medical-grade oxygen is dependent on a number of different conditions. Some of those include:

Your location
Whether you have a set contract
Whether your deliveries are scheduled
Whether your delivery schedule is optimized to your usage needs
Whether you own or rent your tanks
Additional fees and service charges levied by your provider

Without all these variables being considered, there’s a chance you might not be paying fair or best-in-class rates for your compressed oxygen.

Location Is Everything.

Depending on the location of your operation, the cost of medical-grade oxygen may vary. There are several reasons for this, including regional market rivalries, local laws, and delivery distances. Many of these things will ultimately be out of your control.

Your Contract Determines Your Prices.

A contract may protect you or it may harm you. If you’re locked in at great prices, contracts can keep your rates consistent and fair. If not? They can saddle you with inflated rates and cancellation fees if you choose to look elsewhere. Understanding your contract, if you have one, is paramount.

Proper Delivery Scheduling Saves You Money.

As one industry expert explains, “for some businesses, the cost of running out of oxygen is perhaps higher than any other cost. If you’re using delivered oxygen to support the life of animals (e.g. in a vet facility), or aquatic life (in a fish farm), running out unexpectedly could result in a significant financial loss.”

Ensuring your delivery schedule matches your usage is critical. Running out of gas, as previously mentioned, is not an option. If it does happen, calling for an expedited delivery will cost you far more than a scheduled one.

Owning vs. Renting.

There are different considerations for price with owning versus renting oxygen cylinders. On the one hand, renting comes with regular fees. On the other hand, purchasing comes with an upfront investment, as well as replacements or repair over time. Likewise, some providers will deny refill service if they deem your tanks unsafe, so maintenance is very important.

Are You Being Charged Additional Fees?

Some providers of medical-grade oxygen may charge additional fees as part of your invoice. Whether or not these are standard or fair depends on each scenario. Understanding these fees is important to your budget and ensuring you’re not overspending.

In Conclusion…

Your operation depends on compressed medical-grade oxygen. But are you confident that your bills are set up in your best interest? With all the factors that comprise your invoice every pay cycle, it’s easy to lose track of what is optimal.

Presented by Neil Schwan – in collaboration with Cal Wilson

Schooley Mitchell Expense Reduction

Tel: 630-381-0037
Cell: 630-414-2095
Email: neil.schwan@schooleymitchell.com
869 S. Hawthorne Ave. | Elmhurst | Illinois
www.schooleymitchell.com/nschwan

Learn More

RAP vs. IBR for Physicians: Which Plan Costs You Less Month to Month?

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:55:00 GMT

Quick answer: As of July 1, 2026, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is available at studentaid.gov/idr. For physicians pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), RAP often costs less if you have a large loan balance relative to annual income and borrowed before July 1, 2014. If you borrowed on or after that date or your current loan balance is less than your annual income, Income-Based Repayment (IBR) is usually the cheaper option. The bigger risk? Taking out any federal loan – parent plus loans included – after July 1, 2026, will disqualify you from IBR entirely.

If you carry multiple six figures of student debt and a physician’s income on the horizon, your repayment plan choice is worth real money, potentially tens of thousands of dollars. The arrival of the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) changes the math. Here’s how RAP and the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan compare, and how to decide which one fits your situation.

How does RAP calculate payments compared to IBR?

The two plans use very different formulas, and that difference drives the cost.

RAP charges up to 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), with no cap. As your income climbs, so does your payment
IBR is based on discretionary income (AGI reduced by 150% of the Family Poverty Level by family size) and is capped at the standard 10-year payment amount once you reach the Partial Financial Hardship (PFH) threshold.

That cap matters for physicians. Attending Physician salaries are dramatically different than compensation in training. Under RAP, a growing income means a growing payment with no ceiling. Under IBR, once you hit the PFH limit, your payment stops climbing.

When is RAP the lower-cost option for physicians pursuing PSLF?

RAP tends to win for borrowers who:

Carry a large loan balance relative to income , and
Borrowed before July 1, 2014 .

For this group, RAP’s percentage-of-AGI structure, combined with its interest waiver, can produce a lower total cost over a 120 month PSLF timeline than 2009 IBR terms.

Use the free Grad Loan Advice calculator to see what your payment would be.

When does IBR cost less?

IBR is usually the better choice if your annual income is greater than the loan balance because the payment cap protects your highest possible payment on both 2009 IBR and 2014 IBR calculations. It’s also a better choice if you became a federal loan borrower for the first time on or after July 1, 2014 because the 2014 IBR terms are more favorable.

This is especially true once you reach or exceed the Partial Financial Hardship amount. Because IBR caps payments at the 10-year fixed level and RAP does not, a high-earning physician can end up paying more under RAP as income rises. For a borrower moving from residency to a well-paid attending role, that uncapped 10% of AGI can add up quickly.

How do qualifying payments transfer between plans?

This nugget was up in the air for a bit: While qualifying months earned before you switch to RAP carry over to RAP , payments made while on RAP do not count toward IBR.

In other words, the credit flows one direction. Think carefully before moving to RAP, because you can’t bank RAP payments and apply them to an IBR timeline later. This is relevant when you consider the non-PSLF route on these plans where RAP is a 360 month plan and IBR is a 300 month plan for borrowers before July 1, 2014 … 240 month plan otherwise.

Will borrowing after July 1, 2026 disqualify you from IBR?

Short answer, Yes. Based on what the final rules say right now, taking out any federal loan after July 1, 2026 (including Parent PLUS loans) disqualifies you from IBR entirely, for all of your loans. This is a major shift. Previously, you could keep different loans on different repayment plans (FFEL on IBR and DIRECT loans on PAYE).

At present, no one has seen this play out in practice yet. But if the rule holds as written, a single new federal loan could lock you out of IBR and leave RAP as your only income-driven option and the Tiered Standard Plan as the alternative. If you’re considering additional federal borrowing or a parent weighing a Parent Plus loan, factor this in before you sign.

What you should do next

The right plan depends on your loan balance, your borrowing dates, your income trajectory, and whether you’re pursuing PSLF. A few practical steps:

Confirm your federal loan borrower begin date. Whether you first borrowed before or after July 1, 2014, might change the math.
Map your income trajectory. If your attending salary will push you past the PFH threshold, IBR’s cap becomes more valuable.
Pause before any new federal borrowing after July 1, 2026. Weigh whether it’s worth risking your IBR eligibility.
Revisit your strategy as guidance is finalized. RAP is new, and real-world application will clarify open questions.

Run the numbers for your specific situation before you leave SAVE, get kicked off of PAYE, or squander time that could have counted.

Hire Grad Loan Advice® to craft a custom plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my interest capitalize if I move from SAVE to RAP?
No, accrued interest is not added to the principal balance (capitalization of interest) when you move from SAVE to RAP. Simple interest continues to accrue on the principal balance when the loan was issued.

Is RAP or IBR better for PSLF?
For physicians pursuing PSLF, RAP is often the lower-cost plan if you have a large balance relative to income and borrowed before July 1, 2014. If you borrowed on or after that date, IBR is typically cheaper.

Why might IBR cost less than RAP for low debt to income ratio borrowers?
IBR caps payments at the standard 10-year amount once you reach the Partial Financial Hardship threshold. RAP is uncapped at 10% of AGI, so payments keep rising with income.

Do payments made on RAP count toward IBR?
No. Qualifying months earned before switching to RAP carry over to RAP, but payments made while on RAP do not count toward IBR.

When will RAP be available?
The Repayment Assistance Plan is available at studentaid.gov/idr as of July 1, 2026.

Why do you want a “practice broker” to help you sell your practice?

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:53:00 GMT

Selling your practice successfully for maximum value is best accomplished with a practice broker. An experienced broker has a proven strategy containing these vital components.

Opinion of Value

You’ll get multiple opinions from colleagues when you ask what they think your practice is worth. But best practice dictates an average of multiple valuation methodologies. Three years records of gross income, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE), as well as an earnings multiplier determined by nationwide statistics should all figure in. Tax submissions are best, but profit and loss and balance sheets will work. There should be no charge for this analysis from the broker.

It’s important to note that value cannot be solely based on what you think a buyer will pay. Most buyers use bank financing and the bank requires financial history showing that a buyer will be able to service the debt and make a reasonable rate of return or wage from their investment.

An experienced practice broker uses all these factors to go to market with a reasonable and bankable asking price. Sometimes the analysis shows that it’s not the best time to sell and work needs to be done to improve profitability.

Marketing Savvy and Reach

A broker creates two marketing pieces. Initially a “teaser”, listing key points such as asking price, cash flow (either EBITDA or SDE), specialty and a short description of the practice’s desirability. And a second, much more detailed profile with limited financial information, pictures, patient bases facts, employee outline, description of the services provided, a sample buyer process, hours and growth opportunities. The profile should also include projections about the stability and status of the healthcare segment.

Privacy and Buyer Vetting

A good broker casts a wide, preferably nationwide net in seeking your best buyer. The teaser should be disseminated to the broker’s existing buyer pool as well as through a variety of websites regularly perused by buyers. The inquiries must be vetted to determine if they have the financial wherewithal, experience and/or licensing required. Those that qualify must be sent a nondisclosure agreement. Only after they execute the NDA should the confidential profile is released.

It’s vital to have tight control over this process. You don’t want competitors, employees or other business associates to know you’re seeking a buyer, usually until you’ve successfully closed on the practice sale.

Fielding Inquiries

Your broker will serve as the buffer between the seller and buyer. They understand and articulate the practice’s value, ensure privacy is maintained and control the flow of information. They will set up interviews and perhaps tours with qualified buyers.

Assessing Offers

It is common for buyers to offer less than your asking price, or perhaps ask for the seller to take payment over time, or base the total compensation for the practice on future earnings, referred to as an “earn out”. These are all acceptable means of practice acquisition. But anything other than cash at closing may not be what’s best for you. Your broker will help you determine if the offer meets your goals and will suggest appropriate counter proposals.

Banking Assistance to Buyers

A buyer may have the right assets and experience but not have a bank that understands healthcare’s unique financial model. Your broker should point buyers to SBA or commercial lenders with a proven track record in healthcare lending.

Due Diligence

An offer when accepted will specify a period for due diligence. The information required varies widely with the size and complexity of the transaction. Your broker will provide an online data vault for you, your accountant and attorney, to submit and make available to the parties information the buyer and their bank require to assure the assets or equity’s legitimacy. This can include but is not limited to carrier contracts, entity by laws, employee salary information, lease, licenses, tax returns, bank statements and more.

Additional Resource Recommendations

Not all attorneys are good choices for business acquisition transactions. As a seller or buyer you need experienced representation who will address legitimate concerns, but not needlessly run up billable hours negotiating minor points. Your broker has experience with qualified attorneys who handle healthcare transactions with efficiency and responsiveness.

Summary

A broker establishes a fair and supportable asking price, controls the buyer and seller communications, presents you with qualified buyers, negotiates with the assistance of your attorney and isn’t paid unless the transaction closes.

By – Craig Evans, Precision Healthcare Consulting
cevans@precisionhealthcareconsulting.com

What I See in Healthcare That Attorneys Need to Know

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 19:59:00 GMT

I’ve seen scenarios like this play out repeatedly: treatment decisions documented as “discussed with the patient,” but later it comes out that the patient never understood the risks, alternatives, or downstream consequences.

Medical records can appear complete — timelines met, consent forms signed, policies and procedures technically followed.

Yet, when I analyze a case through a clinical medical ethics lens , a different story often emerges. It’s not about intent—but about communication breakdowns that place patients at significant risk.

What’s missing from the record is an ethical failure that leads to harm.

As a Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC) with clinical medical ethics education and experience, I help attorneys identify:

Standard of care deviations that fall short of clear malpractice yet still constitute grounds for legal consequences
Gaps between medical documentation and patient comprehension
Communication breakdowns that compromise patients’ rights, including informed consent and shared decision-making.

These issues are rarely obvious on the face of the medical record—yet this is often where your case can be won or lost. When failures are clearly framed as a cause of harm, it resonates with juries as a story they can believe, remember and defend.

I’m always glad to assist attorneys who want to better understand the clinical and ethical dimensions that can make the difference in a medical case.

How can I help you?

Clinical Medical Ethics (CME) is a discipline grounded in evidence-based principles, their real-world application in clinical care, and ongoing study as standards, practice, and expectations change.

C.M. Renella RN, CME, LNC

Clinical Medical Ethicist, Legal Nurse Consultant

crenella@att.net

(312) 485-1898

Wealth Planning for Medical Professionals

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:29:00 GMT

Wealth Planning for Medical Professionals: A Comprehensive Guide

Medical professionals—especially dentists and physicians who own their practices—face unique financial challenges and opportunities. High income alone does not guarantee long-term wealth. Strategic planning, disciplined investing, and proactive risk management are essential for building and protecting wealth over the course of your career.

Understanding the Unique Financial Challenges of Medical Professionals

Unlike many professionals, medical practitioners often enter the workforce later due to extensive education and training. This delay frequently comes with significant student loan debt and postponed lifestyle goals. In addition, many dentists and physicians operate solo or small practices, intertwining personal and business finances.

Despite strong earning potential, many medical professionals remain “paycheck millionaires,” spending most of their income on lifestyle and practice expenses. Wealth does not happen automatically—it requires intentional planning.

Getting Started with a Strong Financial Foundation

Early in a medical career, debt management is often the top priority. Student loans can persist well into mid-career, but eliminating debt as quickly as possible is not always the best strategy. A balanced approach that weighs interest rates, investment opportunities, refinancing options, and repayment programs can lead to better long-term outcomes.

Successful financial plans are holistic. They account for cash flow, risk tolerance, goals, and both personal and professional obligations. The most important step is simply getting started.

Smart Investing for Long-Term Growth

Investing is about more than chasing high returns. A sound investment strategy considers diversification, tax efficiency, risk management, behavioral finance, and consistency. For practice owners, investments must also align with business goals and future transition or exit strategies.

Behavioral finance plays a key role in long-term success. Emotional reactions to market volatility can derail even the best plans. Education, discipline, and a clear strategy help investors stay focused through market cycles.

Managing and Protecting What You Build

As your career progresses, delegating financial and operational responsibilities becomes critical. A coordinated advisory team can help monitor key performance indicators, evaluate practice value, and identify growth opportunities.

Protection planning is equally important. Your earning ability is one of your greatest assets. Proper life insurance, disability insurance, umbrella coverage, and long-term care planning help safeguard your family, practice, and lifestyle.

Tax Planning for High-Income Medical Professionals

Taxes are often the largest lifetime expense for physicians and dentists. Strategic tax planning can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Changes introduced by the Tax Cut and Jobs Act created both challenges and opportunities, many of which are time-sensitive.

Effective tax strategies may include tax-efficient investing, retirement plan optimization, tax-loss harvesting, deduction planning, and advanced retirement contribution strategies such as backdoor Roth conversions.

Retirement Planning with Confidence

Retirement planning for medical professionals involves more than saving in retirement accounts. Practice valuation, succession planning, income projections, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies all play a role.

Even those who start saving later can often catch up using advanced planning techniques. A well-designed retirement plan provides clarity, confidence, and flexibility—allowing you to focus on enjoying life beyond your career.

Build the Right Advisory Team

Successful wealth planning is rarely a solo effort. Medical professionals benefit most from a coordinated team that may include financial advisors, tax professionals, insurance specialists, estate planners, and practice consultants. The right team works collaboratively to deliver comprehensive, integrated guidance.

Final Thoughts

Financial planning allows your financial success to match your professional success. With the right strategy and support, you can reduce stress, optimize wealth, and enjoy the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

How to Respond to an IDFPR Investigation: A Practical Guide for Illinois Licensed Professionals

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:55:00 GMT

For licensed professionals in Illinois – including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, real estate brokers, and financial advisors- receiving a notice from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) can be one of the most anxiety-inducing moments in a career. Whether the notification takes the form of a formal complaint, a request for more information, or a notification that an investigation has begun, the implications are substantial. Licensure, career prospects, and your professional reputation are all at stake.

However, with the right mindset and a strategic approach, you can respond to IDFPR inquiries confidently and methodically. Below is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for Illinois professionals navigating these investigations-a roadmap designed to protect your license your standing in the community, and your peace of mind.

1 . Pause and Gather All Relevant Facts

Your instinct upon receiving any correspondence from the IDFPR may be to panic or react immediately, but it’s crucial to hit pause. Take the time to thoroughly read the notice to understand its nature:

Is it an informal inquiry or formal notice?
Does it come directly from IDFPR or via outside counsel?
Are you being asked to provide documents, submit a written statement, or appear in person?
What is the stated deadline for a response?

Document every interaction from the outset. Retain and make copies of all received communications and note the dates, times, and methods of contact. If the inquiry relates to a known complaint or prior issue, assemble all relevant records and context in preparation for your response.

This careful pause not only allows for a measured reaction, but can help identify any early miscommunications or errors that may have occurred.

2. Respond Promptly-But Never Carelessly

Illinois regulations strictly enforce deadlines in IDFPR cases, and a late or missing response can escalate the situation needlessly. However, quality matters just as much as speed:

Your answer-whether it’s written, documentary, or in-person-must be clear, professional, factual, and concise.
Refrain from offering opinions, conjecture, or especially admissions if fault without legal counsel.
If more time is need to gather facts or seek advice, promptly acknowledge receipt of the notice and inform the IDFPR that a deliberate, comprehensive response is forthcoming.

Above all, maintain a tone of respect and professionalism. The IDFPR expects-and reward-cooperation. An adversarial approach or lack of communication can work against you.

3. Enlist a Professional with Inside Knowledge

Successfully navigating an IDFPR investigation requires more that just sincerity and organization. The rules of engagement are highly specialized and often counterintuitive. That’s why working alongside legal counsel with direct experience in IDFPR matters is invaluable. Attorneys, such as Michael V. Favia, who have previously worked within the IDFPR are uniquely qualified to understand internal protocols, anticipate the next steps, and guide you throughout the process.

Your counsel can:

Review the notice and tailor your response.
Advise what information is (and is not) required.
Represent you in all written and verbal communications.
Prepare you, and possibly attend with you, for an interview or hearing.

Trying to go alone-no matter your experience or good intentions-raises the risk of unintended missteps that could put your license in jeopardy.

4. Safeguard Your License, Reputation, and Public Standing

A major complaint against professionals is often not about clinical skill or technical knowledge, but about documentation, reporting, or communication oversights. Even when the issue appears minor, being the subject of an investigation can cast a shadow among peers, employers and clients.

Remain vigilant about your conduct during the process:

Avoid discussing the matter with colleagues or on social media.
Follow confidentiality and privacy standards rigorously.
Demonstrate a commitment to ethics and public interest at every step.

Remember, your license and professional reputation are twin priorities-each needs careful, active protection throughout the investigation.

5. Rely on Your Support Network

Regulatory scrutiny can feel isolating, but it’s worth remembering you are not alone. Many professionals have traversed similar paths.

Reach out to:

Trade associations and regulatory bodies for resources.
Peers or mentors who’ve experienced such investigations for practical advise and emotional support.
Unions, if applicable, for access to legal resources or consultation referrals.

Final Thoughts: Turn Uncertainty Into Preparedness

Facing an IDFPR investigation isn’t just a legal challenge; it’s a test of resilience, organization, and professionalism. By pausing to assess, respond promptly and thoughtfully, seeking seasoned guidance, and leaning on your professional network, you can face these challenges with assurances,

Take a deep breath, organize your records, consult with experienced counsel, and create your action plan today. Being proactive is the best path to both protecting what you’ve built and regaining peace of mind.

Contact Michael V Favia, JD

Favia Law Firm

3315 Algonquin Rd. Suite 405
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
60008

773-631-4580

favia@lawyer.com

Strengthening Your Practice: What Gallagher’s Dyste Williams Acquisition Means for Clients

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 22:41:00 GMT

1. A Powerful Combination: Gallagher Meets Dyste Williams

On March 3, 2025, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) announced its acquisition of Dyste Williams, a respected commercial insurance agency based in Minneapolis that serves the Upper Midwest including Chicago with commercial lines and employee benefits. The strategic alignment is clear; this acquisition is a meaningful step in bolstering Gallagher’s national reach and deepening its small to medium sized business insurance offerings.

At the core of this move is the powerful synergy between a national insurance powerhouse and a locally trusted agency. Dyste Williams brings established client relationships, a strong regional reputation, and comprehensive service capabilities. Gallagher, on the other hand, offers national resources, infrastructure, and scale. This means that customers now benefit from both best-in-class local service and global support systems.

2. Seamless Integration Keeps Client Focus First

What matters most to Dyste Williams’ clients? Continuity. Ted Dyste, Nels Dyste, and their entire team will remain in place, continuing to serve their loyal clients now under the Gallagher Agency Alliance umbrella. They will operate under the leadership of the Gallagher Select Team, the segment focused on U.S. property & casualty for small to medium sized businesses, including Physicians, Clinics, and Hospitals.

3. Why This Matters for Your Practice

As a resolute advisor serving health practices, I cannot overstate the value of stability and trust. Mergers often raise concerns—will I lose my personal agent? Will service slow down? Will the values I have relied on shift?
The answer is no. This new alignment brings meaningful advantages:

Expanded Capabilities

Access to Gallagher’s national portfolio, including:
- Risk management insights
- Broader insurance product offerings
- Sophisticated analytics tools
A larger support network offers peace of mind on a national scale.
Gallagher’s scale delivers advanced tools (e.g., loss analysis, cybersecurity, and risk programs), previously available only to larger entities. Now, local health practices can tap into these with support from familiar faces.

Enhanced Negotiating Power

Stronger leverage with carriers due to Gallagher’s size and brand.
Potential for more competitive premium and coverage terms.

Ongoing Client Support

Stepwise integration, led by Gallagher Select, ensures minimal client disruption.
Insights and best practices from Gallagher’s agency alliance will uplift Dyste Williams’ high-touch model.

4. Final Thoughts

For practices across the Upper Midwest, the Dyste Williams–Gallagher partnership is a significant win. It marries the strengths of local expertise and client focus with a national insurance leader’s support and resources. For your health practice.

As your advisor, I’m committed to guiding you through this and ensuring your relationships and service remain top priority. If you are curious about how your policies, or your new business if you are not a current client, might benefit from Gallagher’s enhanced resources, whether it’s medical professional liability, cyber liability, workers compensation, or management liabilities, I’m happy to discuss this with you directly.

About the Author

Jim Davis
Business Insurance Advisor | Health Practice Advisors

With over two decades of helping healthcare professionals find the right insurance and risk-management solutions, I am dedicated to simplifying complex coverages and helping your practice protect its future.

Thinking of leaving your hospital system? Considerations for your new healthcare practice location.

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:53:00 GMT

Breaking away from a hospital system gives your healthcare practice new freedom—but it also brings big decisions, especially about where to set up your new home. Choosing the right location, whether you plan a private practice or a concierge practice, is one of the most critical factors in ensuring a successful transition and long-term viability. Here’s what to consider when evaluating new practice locations.

Existing Patient Accessibility

Your existing patient base is your most valuable asset. Make it as easy as possible for them to follow you. You want to be as close to your current location as your non-compete will allow. Easy parking or access to public transportation is a must. Make sure your building is ADA compliant, especially ramps and bathrooms, and easily accessible for patients with disabilities. Consider either ground floor easy elevator access, especially if you serve seniors or mobility impaired patients (like orthopedics or chiropractics).

Attracting New Patients

Focus on the types of patients you would like to see more of in your practice. Develop your unique value proposition, then use retail principles of site selection to identify locations with your preferred patient demographics. Choose locations with easy ingress and egress. Depending on your type of practice, consider visibility—street-level practices with signage can boost walk-in traffic and awareness, and ingress/egress, Choose locations with other tenants that serve a similar patient base. Are your patients all local, or do you draw from a further distance? If your unique value proposition is to cater to a high income community, a location in town might be right for you. If you draw from a larger trade area, a location near a major highway intersection may be important.

Engage a commercial real estate broker/ consultant with healthcare experience to help you define your requirements and navigate the site selection and negotiation process.

2. Zoning and Compliance

Healthcare practices must meet local zoning laws, health codes, and licensure requirements: It is very important to verify the location can accommodate both zoning approval a nd parking requirements. Be aware if a special use permit would be required for your target location. Obtaining a special use permit may add months to your schedule. Working with an architect, contractor, or design/buiild firm with healthcare experience on your team will help you navigate working with the municipalities.

Be mindful the space meets OSHA and HIPAA compliance. Determine if you will need a Certificate of Occupancy to open. And reach out to your malpractice carrier to evaluate any location-based risk implications.

Facility Layout and Infrastructure

Your new space should support efficient clinical workflows. As you establish your initial program of requirements, be sure to address the adequate number and size of exam rooms. Your practice maximizes cash flow when these rooms are full. Set aside time to outline your IT and electrical infrastructure needs, including EHR systems, how telehealth services would be delivered, and outlining the medical devices you will be using. Assure the new space has enough HVAC tonnage servicing the space, and the plumbing and water lines will accommodate the sinks, labs and rest rooms to be located in the space. Plan for proper adjacencies. Are staff members who regularly interact with each other near each other? Can nurses easily monitor patients? Plan for expansion as your practice grows. Plan for a positive patient experience, from entering the waiting room to exiting at the end of the appointment. Building out medical space can be expensive. Plan for a long enough lease and option periods to assure a return on your construction investment. Landlords may not cover the entire cost of the buildout.

Cost and Financial Sustainability

Financial independence means you will become an entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, you will take on responsibilities for Lease or mortgage payments, renovation and buildout expenses, paying utilities, taxes, and maintenance for your space, and Common area maintenance (CAM) fees in shared facilities. Your healthcare real estate consultant can help you in quantifying these costs with projections

Get a clear understanding of your total occupancy cost and compare it to your projected revenue and patient volume. Consider negotiating tenant improvement (TI) allowances if you are leasing to reduce capital expenditures, and consulting with the bank can lend enough for building acquisition and construction.

Referral and Professional Network Proximity

Even in independence, staying near your professional ecosystem is key. Consider accessibility to hospitals or imaging centers for referrals and procedures, labs, pharmacies, and physical therapy services, and other physician offices for cross-referrals Depending on your specialty, being located in or near a medical office building (MOB) can help you stay connected and attract new patients organically.

Brand Identity and Growth Potential

Your new space should reflect your practice’s values and ambitions, and unique value proposition. Does the new space support a modern, patient-friendly atmosphere ? Is there room for new services, potential income streams or additional providers in the future? Does the new space enhance your brand visibility and help you stand out? Does your brand and image connect with the patients that will grow your practice with the kinds of patients that you want to see? A thoughtfully chosen location and buildout can help build trust, reinforce your brand, and signal a fresh start to patients and staff.

Final Thought: Think Beyond Square Footage

Leaving a hospital system is about reclaiming your independence. Don’t just settle for a convenient address—choose a location that sets your practice apart and sets up for clinical excellence, financial strength, a stronger patient connection and growth!.

Credentialing 101: All you need to know

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 21:32:00 GMT

Advantages of Effective Credentialing

Any practice aiming to bill an insurance company must undergo credentialing. This requirement applies to hospitals, clinics, physicians, chiropractors, dentists, physical therapists, behavioral health therapists, occupational therapists, optometrists, and social workers.

Healthcare providers may encounter timely filing challenges if they treat patients without proper credentialing with insurance.
Payers will refuse to process claims for services rendered by providers who lack proper credentials.
Time can quickly expire, resulting in the provider not receiving payment for the services provided.
One effective method to avoid claim denials that can consume practice’s time and revenue is to ensure that providers are appropriately credentialed with payers.

By being credentialed with various health insurance companies, providers acquire the capability to submit claims for a wide range of treatments and receive reimbursement in a timely manner.

Credentialed providers can broaden their patient base by accepting multiple insurance plans, thereby increasing practice revenue. Being featured on insurance websites as an in-network provider enhances visibility and credibility, drawing in more patients. Insurance credentialing also enables providers to access a wider array of insurance benefits for their patients, improving the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services.

Furthermore, credentialing aids in streamlining administrative tasks, thereby reducing overhead costs related to billing and claim processing. Being credentialed with insurance plans can indirectly influence patients’ insurance deductible expenses by providing them access to lower-cost healthcare services within their insurance network. Ultimately, it promotes better patient care by ensuring smooth coordination with insurance carriers.

Complexity of credentialing processes is the reason why numerous practices opt to delegate responsibilities to insurance credentialing consultants who provide this service. Engaging a credentialing service is among the most straightforward methods to handle the process, guaranteeing that providers stay qualified to obtain reimbursements from approved health insurance plans.

Selecting the appropriate insurance credentialing consultants

Healthcare providers must consider several critical factors when selecting an insurance credentialing specialist. These professionals assist clients in navigating the insurance billing and payment processes, facilitate insurance card verification, and provide support for recredentialing in subsequent years. Additionally, they can aid providers in optimizing their participation in insurance networks while minimizing delays in the credentialing process.

A provider’s primary focus should be on engaging consultants who possess experience in navigating the complexities of insurer credentialing requirements. Familiarity with insurance documents, health insurance premium quotes, and individual health insurance premiums is essential.

Healthcare providers should also seek insurance credentialing consultants with a proven track record of successfully negotiating favorable credentialing outcomes for their clients. Furthermore, providers should evaluate the consultant’s communication and advocacy abilities with insurance companies, particularly their effectiveness in addressing inconsistencies and resolving issues.

Speak with an expert today to learn how we can help your practice achieve proper credentialing procedures.

Veronica Urbanowicz
Pro Healthcare Solutions Inc.
Office: 224-431-6221
Email: vurbanowicz@prohealthcareinc.com
Website: www.prohealthcareinc.com

WHY DESIGN MATTERS: Creating Patient-Centered Spaces in Dental and Medical Practices

Fri, 30 May 2025 21:20:00 GMT

In today’s healthcare landscape, patient experience isn’t just about quality care—it’s also about how that care is delivered, starting the moment a patient walks through the door.

At On Point Design Build, we specialize in creating dental and boutique-scale medical offices that do more than function well—they feel good to be in. Why? Because thoughtful design can make a measurable difference in both patient satisfaction and practice success. Simply put: Good design matters!

The First Impression Starts with the Look

The reception area is often the first point of contact a patient has with a practice. A cluttered, sterile, or outdated waiting room can unknowingly add to a patient’s anxiety. On the other hand, a well-designed space that’s warm, modern, and intuitive instantly can communicate professionalism, competence, and care. The first impression of an office is often curated directly by the Interior Design specialists!

When our team begins working with a new doctor, the first question we ask is: What message do you want your space to send? For many of the dental and medical practices we work with, the answer is a mix of comfort, efficiency, and trust. That message is something we translate directly into our designs—from the layout and lighting down to the materials and finishes.

Design That Works for Everyone—Not Just Patients

While patient experience is essential, so is supporting the people who work in a clinic. This is where a good architectural team shines! It’s important to consider clinical workflow, staff ergonomics, and operational efficiency as much as aesthetics. The goal is to create efficient spaces that support hygiene protocols and make daily routines smoother for the entire team.

By choosing an architect-led design-build team instead of contractor-led, clients get a professional perspective that enhances every detail of their project. Clear leadership streamlines communication, speeds up timelines, and allows us to stay laser-focused on the client’s needs.

An Office is an Extension of the Provider’s Brand

Whether working with a pediatric dentist who wants to create a playful, kid-friendly environment or a specialist aiming for a spa-like, boutique atmosphere, every medical space should reflect the appropriate brand. We help clients move beyond cookie-cutter clinics and into environments that feel custom, intentional, and aligned with their values.

Patients may not consciously notice that a hallway layout improves privacy or that the operatory lighting is calibrated for visual comfort—but they’ll feel the difference. When patients feel at ease they’re more likely to trust the provider’s care, which leads them to return… and refer!

A Smart Investment

Designing or renovating a medical space is a significant investment. When done right, it’s one that pays off in operational efficiency, patient loyalty, and long-term adaptability. Partnering with a design-build team that makes quality a priority helps to ensure that the vision and execution are always aligned—resulting in fewer surprises and better outcomes.

At On Point Design-Build, we bring deep experience, creative insight, and a collaborative mindset to every project. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just building an office—we’re shaping the patient experience.

If you or someone in your network is thinking about opening a new practice or renovating an existing space, we’d love to talk.

Lisa Elkins | lisa@onpointdesignbuild.com

On Point Design Build

Navigating the Path to Owning a Dental Practice: Insights and Strategies

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:27:00 GMT

Industry Insights

The dental profession continues to thrive, ranking #2 in Best Health Care Jobs in the US. With nearly 25,010 students enrolled in US dental schools in 2018, the field is growing, and notably, 49.1% of these students are female, a significant increase from 5.8% in 1982. The biggest difference from 1982 to 2018, more dentists own multiple practices.

Do Banks Want to Lend to Dentists?

Banks are generally favorable towards lending to dental practices due to their low failure rates—only 5.2% of dental practices fail, and 0.52% of loans are charged off. Specialty lenders offer competitive terms such as 100% financing, longer terms, and less collateral requirements, understanding the unique value of practice goodwill.

Associate vs. Owner: A Financial Comparison

Associate

Income : Produces $600,000 annually, earns $180,000, net income $126,000 after taxes.
Pros : Steady income, no ownership responsibilities.
Cons : Limited earning potential, no equity position.

Owner

Income : Produces $600,000 annually, total revenue $900,000, earns $360,000, net income $190,764 after loan payments and taxes.
Pros : No income ceiling, equity position, ability to create own culture.
Cons : Ownership responsibilities, potential stress.

Over a decade, an owner can earn significantly more, including equity in the business, totaling $2,627,640 compared to $1,260,000 for an associate.

Financial Preparation for Securing a Loan

Credit 101: The 5 “C’s”

Character : Your credit history.
Capacity : Ability to repay the loan.
Capital : Banks provide 100% but like to see 10% liquidity reserves.
Collateral : Banks don’t require personal assets but will ask for a personal guarantee
Conditions : Dental practices are considered essential businesses and less impacted by the economy.

Steps to Prepare Financially

Work History : Demonstrate a stable and successful work history.
Income/Production : Show your ability to generate income.
Student Loans : Understand repayment plans like IBR and REPAYE.
Personal Debt : Manage monthly cash flow and overall net worth.
Liquidity : Maintain sufficient cash reserves.

Building Your Team

Assembling a team of professionals is crucial:

CPA : For financial management.
Attorney : For legal advice.
Supply/Equipment Company : Reliable suppliers.
Marketing : Strategies to attract patients.
Real Estate Agent : Finding the right location.
Contractor : Construction or renovation needs.
Lender : Dental-specific lender for favorable terms.

Buying vs. Starting a Practice

Buying a Practice

Pros : Established patient base, immediate income, trained staff, insurance providers in place.
Cons : Staff resistance, patient attrition, outdated office, possible equipment upgrades.

Starting a Practice

Pros : Choose location, customize layout, new equipment, build own culture.
Cons : Finding space, construction stress, no initial patient base, growing pains with staff.

Loan Considerations

Dental-specific lenders offer benefits such as no personal collateral, fixed rates, 100% financing plus working capital, and flexible terms.

Conclusion

Owning a dental practice offers significant financial and professional benefits compared to being an associate. With proper financial preparation and a strong team, dentists can successfully navigate the path to practice ownership.

For more information or specific questions, contact Sam Zanayed, Vice President at Huntington Practice Financing.

Cell 773.415.2999 or Email sam.zanayed@huntington.com

How We Can Assist Physicians in Transitioning to Private Practice

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:39:00 GMT

As healthcare continues to evolve, many physicians and medical practitioners are considering the transition from hospital employment to opening their own private practices. This shift can be both exciting and daunting, as it involves various challenges associated with business operations, patient care, and regulatory compliance. Health Practice Advisors can play a crucial role in supporting these professionals through this transition, ensuring a smoother process and a successful start to their independent practices.

Understanding the Role of our Health Practice Advisors:

Advisors specialize in providing strategic guidance and operational support to healthcare providers. They possess expertise in various areas, including financial planning, regulatory compliance, marketing, and operational efficiency. By collaborating with these advisors, physicians can leverage their knowledge and experience, which can significantly reduce the risks associated with starting a new practice.

Key Areas Where Health Practice Advisors Provide Support:

1. Business Planning and Strategy:
Health Practice Advisors help physicians develop comprehensive business plans that outline their vision, goals, and strategies for their new practice. This includes market analysis, identifying target patient demographics, and creating a sustainable financial model.

2. Financial Management:
Advisors assist in budgeting, forecasting, and understanding the financial implications of running a practice. They can guide physicians in setting competitive pricing for services, managing expenses, and securing financing if needed.

3. Regulatory Compliance:
Navigating the complex healthcare regulations is a critical aspect of establishing a private practice. Health Practice Advisors ensure that physicians understand and comply with federal and state regulations, including licensing, billing, and coding requirements.

4. Operational Setup:
From selecting the right location to designing the office layout and acquiring necessary equipment, Health Practice Advisors guide physicians through the operational setup of their practices. They also recommend best practices for workflow efficiency and patient management systems.

5. Insurance and Credentialing:
Securing the right insurance contracts and managing the credentialing process with payers can be daunting. Advisors provide insights on negotiating contracts and navigating the credentialing process to ensure that the practice is adequately covered and can receive payments for services rendered.

6. Marketing and Patient Acquisition:
Building a patient base is essential for a successful practice. Health Practice Advisors help physicians develop effective marketing strategies, including digital marketing, community outreach, and networking, to attract and retain patients.

7. Technology Integration:
In today’s digital age, integrating technology into practice operations is vital. Advisors can recommend electronic health record (EHR) systems, telemedicine solutions, and other technological tools that enhance patient care and streamline administrative tasks.

8. Ongoing Support and Evaluation:
The role of our Health Practice Advisors doesn’t end once the practice is up and running. They provide ongoing support, helping physicians evaluate their performance, adapt to changes in the healthcare landscape, and implement improvements to enhance operational efficiency and patient satisfaction.

Conclusion

Transitioning from a hospital entity to opening a private practice is a significant step for physicians and medical practitioners. Health Practice Advisors provide invaluable support throughout this journey, helping to navigate the complexities of establishing a new practice. By leveraging their expertise in various areas, these advisors enable healthcare professionals to focus on what they do best—providing exceptional patient care—while ensuring that the business side of their practice is well managed. With the right guidance and resources, physicians can successfully make the leap into private practice, ultimately benefiting both themselves and their patients.

How Can Your Practice Earn Higher Carrier Reimbursement?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:31:00 GMT

A driving force behind hospital and private equity acquisitions of private practices has been to gain leverage in negotiations with carriers. You don’t have to join a large organization, but you do have to perform a thoughtful analysis of your practice’s services, reimbursements and patient mix to arm yourself to do battle with major carriers.

That being said, a single physician practice usually has little hope of a successful carrier negotiation. The baseline volume needed for success is $6 million per year in “allowable” amounts, either in commercial or Medicare Advantage plans. Straight Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements are fixed by region or state, so don’t even think about those. Your results will primarily come from your highest volume commercial carriers.

While it is possible to conduct these negotiations utilizing internal resources, most practices seeking reimbursement improvement look to firms specializing in the task.

An analysis should include:

How many patients have you served in the past year with this carrier?
What services have you provided to them and what is the volume of each service?
Who in your geographic area provides the same services? Hopefully few!
What makes your practice stand out from your competition?
What metrics can you cite pointing to high patient satisfaction and superior outcomes?
What is being paid to other area providers in your specialty?

Obviously, some of these metrics/data are going to be hard to come up with. A good contract negotiation firm will glean appropriate data from your EHR/PM platform to prove your points. Part of their analysis will be to pinpoint services that have been provided at a higher frequency. You may benefit from an increase in select CPTs or CPT code ranges more than a blanket increase which includes services you seldom provide.

While the Federal government’s push for price transparency is a noble effort, many hospitals have not complied and independent physician practices thus far have eluded the mandate. However, firms that specialize in negotiations maintain reimbursement information which is vital to their efforts and ultimately your success.

Here’s my key point: you must be willing to walk away from the carrier. As anyone who deals with them knows, they are skilled and ruthless. You may have to dig in your heels and rely on out of network reimbursement with the uncooperative carrier.

Contact Craig Evans Today
Precision Healthcare Consulting, LLC
www.precisionhealthcareconsulting.com
262-490-0911
cevans@precisionhealthcareconsulting.com

When Should You Add Another Day to Your Schedule? A Guide for Dentists

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:45:00 GMT

As your dental practice grows, you may find yourself faced with the decision of whether to add another day of availability to your schedule. Expanding your hours can improve patient access, increase revenue, and foster growth, but it’s important to approach this decision thoughtfully. As a dentist, balancing your time, financial goals, and the overall well-being of your practice is key. Here are the essential factors to consider when deciding if it’s time to add another day of availability.

1. Assess Your Patient Demand

The first indicator that it might be time to expand your schedule is patient demand. Are you consistently seeing a high volume of patients, or are you turning people away because there aren’t enough appointments available?

Overbooked Schedules: If your schedule is regularly full and you’re forced to turn away patients or schedule them weeks out, adding another day could help accommodate demand and increase patient satisfaction.
Waitlists and Cancellations: If patients are regularly requesting appointments at times you can’t offer, or if there’s a consistent waitlist for certain procedures, expanding your availability is a logical step to reduce these bottlenecks.

By analyzing patient demand, you’ll know whether there’s an unmet need for additional appointment slots, making it a good time to increase your hours.

2.Understand the Financial Implications

Adding an extra day of availability means more time in the office, but it also comes with financial considerations. Here’s how to evaluate whether it makes sense financially:

Revenue Potential: Assess how much additional revenue a new day could generate. What are your average patient fees per day? Will a full day of appointments cover the additional overhead costs like staff wages, supplies, and utilities?
Fixed Costs: Calculate the additional operational costs—staffing, office supplies, marketing, etc. It’s important to ensure that the extra revenue generated by adding a day will outweigh these costs. If you’re already working at full capacity, adding another day should yield additional revenue.
Profit Margins: If you’re not seeing the financial returns you expect, an accountant can help you analyze your cost structures to ensure your business model is optimized before committing to more working hours.

If the financial benefits outweigh the extra operational costs, adding another day could be a worthwhile investment.

3. Evaluate Staff Availability and Morale

Your decision to add another day should also take into account your team. More hours can be beneficial, but they also mean more demands on your staff. It’s essential to assess the impact on your team’s well-being and productivity:

Staff Availability: Do you have enough staff to cover an extra day? Consider the availability of your dental hygienists, assistants, and front-office team. Adding a day might require adjustments to their schedules, which could affect employee satisfaction.
Team Morale: A better work-life balance is crucial for maintaining high team morale and retention. If adding a day leads to burnout or dissatisfaction among your team members, it could negatively affect patient care and your practice’s long-term success.

If your team is on board and ready to handle the additional hours without sacrificing work-life balance, adding a day becomes more feasible.

4. Consider Your Personal Work-Life Balance

As a dentist, it’s easy to get caught up in the drive for growth, but it’s important to assess the impact on your personal life and well-being. Are you comfortable with adding more hours to your schedule? It’s vital to maintain balance in your life to avoid burnout.

Stress Management: Overworking yourself can lead to exhaustion and compromise your ability to provide high-quality care. Consider how much additional time you are willing to commit to your practice while ensuring you have time for family, relaxation, and personal well-being.
Quality of Care: More hours can sometimes lead to more fatigue. Be mindful that overworking may affect the level of care you can provide, especially toward the end of a long day. If you add another day, make sure you can still maintain your standards of care.

If adding another day of work affects your ability to balance your personal life or reduces the quality of your care, it might be better to reassess other options for improving efficiency or expanding your capacity.

5. Explore Alternative Options

Before adding a full extra day, consider other ways to increase your capacity:

Extended Hours: Rather than adding a whole day, you could consider staying open for extended hours a few days a week or offering evening appointments. This could appeal to patients who have difficulty scheduling during traditional hours.
Hiring or Delegating: Consider hiring another associate or additional hygienists to help ease the workload. This could help you take on more patients without the need for additional days in the office.
Better Appointment Scheduling: Implementing more efficient scheduling practices, such as reducing gaps between appointments or offering flexible scheduling, may help you see more patients without needing to add extra days.

These alternatives could provide similar benefits without adding the strain of more days in the office.

Conclusion

Adding another day to your schedule is an important decision that requires balancing patient demand, financial implications, staff availability, and your personal well-being. By carefully evaluating these factors and considering alternatives, you can make a decision that benefits both your practice and your work-life balance.

Ultimately, the key is to ensure that any decision you make supports the long-term growth and success of your dental practice—without sacrificing the quality of care or your own personal happiness.

How Medical Practices Can Combat Rising Costs

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 23:48:00 GMT

For medical practices, balancing the need for exceptional patient care with the pressure to manage rising expenses is no small feat. In recent years, inflation and cost increases have only heightened this challenge. A recent study revealed that 64% of business owners in the United States do not anticipate relief from the financial strain caused by rising supply prices—and medical practices are no exception.

The Consequences of Rising Costs

When costs increase, medical practices face several critical challenges, including:

Reduced revenue due to higher operational expenses.
Rising rental costs for office and clinic spaces.
Inability to raise patient fees sufficiently to offset inflated costs.
Staff requesting higher wages to meet the increased cost of living.

To bridge the financial gap, some practice owners turn to personal credit cards or short-term loans. However, relying on debt is a temporary solution that causes long-term financial instability. So, how can medical practices adapt to a tough economy without compromising care?

Strategic Cost Management for Medical Practices

Rather than borrowing or cutting essential staff and services, medical practices can focus on operational expenses to implement sustainable cost reduction. By targeting areas that don’t directly affect patient care, practices can achieve meaningful savings while maintaining their high standards.

Key Areas to Target for Expense Reduction:

Medical Waste Removal:
- Evaluate current waste management services to identify unnecessary features or too frequent pick ups.
- Negotiate with vendors or request competitive quotes from alternative providers.
Uniform Rental and Laundry Services:
- Ensure you’re only paying for the uniforms and laundery services your staff uses.
- Look for providers offering customizable plans tailored to your needs.
Telecommunications:
- Review your phone, internet, and cell phone plans to identify unused features or redundant services.
- Consider switching to a more cost-effective provider
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Bulk purchasing or collaborating with other practices can lower costs.
- Reevaluate supplier contracts annually to ensure competitive pricing.
Compressed Gases:
- Compare pricing across suppliers for oxygen and other medical gases.
- Regularly assess usage levels to avoid over-ordering.
Payment Processing:
- Examine your merchant service fees for patient payments.
- Negotiate lower transaction fees or explore alternative payment processors
Insurance:
- Review malpractice and business insurance policies to ensure you’re not overinsured
- Review employee health benefits program

Managing operational costs can be time-consuming for busy medical practices. Enlisting the help of an expense reduction expert can streamline the process and yield significant savings without taking valuable time away from patient care. These professionals specialize in identifying cost-saving opportunities and negotiating on your behalf, allowing your team to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional healthcare.
By implementing these strategies, medical practices can take control of their expenses, adapt to economic pressures, and position themselves for a more profitable and sustainable future. Here’s to a healthier bottom line and an even more successful year ahead.

Episode of Care Strategy That Covers Physician Risk Succeeds Where Procedure “Bundles” Fail”

Tue, 07 May 2024 22:04:00 GMT

Surgical “bundle” offerings from claim aggregators have focused on price to attract self-insured employers, who justifiably seek to control and make predictable their healthcare costs. It’s a compelling concept for employers – enabling employees to choose a lower-cost alternative for their surgery by offering a tier-one service choice with reduced or eliminated deductibles. Physician groups are intrigued by the prospect of fewer barriers to their care recommendations and faster payment.

However, While It’s Been Beneficial to Stakeholders in Some Cases, the Approach Has Had Significant Challenges

Constructing “bundles” has taken considerable effort for physician practices, with no guarantee of inbound cases
Employees and employers have not been informed and engaged at the right stage to present lower-cost options
Patients and HR departments have evaluated multiple bundle proposals for a given case – with little insight into quality considerations
Inadequate pre-procedure care management results in complications and additional cost to employer, employee, or physician
Unforeseen complications in surgery create stakeholder conflict

Kate Grohall, MSOLQ Vice President of Value Based Solutions at Holista Health began her story during years of experience in orthopedic practices including the Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin. Kate was a key contributor in CMS’s effort to control high-cost joint replacement surgeries through their BPCI and CJR programs instituted in the 2010’s. However, Kate saw opportunity in the employer community not served by Medicare programs.

Kate’s Vision Was to Create “Episodes of Care.” Not Driven by Price but by Quality, Predictability, and Risk Reduction Methodologies for All Stakeholders

Holista’s episodes of care are honed by experience and constructed for practices that agree to follow their design rather than building them from scratch
Working with innovative brokers Holista’s EOC’s are presented as tier-one options integrated with the employer’s health plan and presented to patients by physicians empowered to choose Holista’s network of centers of excellence
Consistent quality and guaranteed values lead to less complicated decisions for employees
Extensive pre and post-patient care management contribute to superior outcomes and lowered complication risk for all stakeholders
Guaranteed pricing of episodes eliminates risk of additional cost to employers, patients, and physicians

The focus on quality led Kate’s team to build extensive patient outreach – case management – into episode construction based on the successes of the highest performing caregivers. Unlike many insurance scenarios including the Medicare programs, non-compliant patients in “self-insured” employer plans are given financial incentives to choose a Holista center of excellence, incentives which are at risk if they don’t adhere to physician orders.

An example of this: 2 days prior to surgery, patients are reminded about the requirement to wash with hibaclens the night before surgery. Holista reaches out to ensure its use as dictated or surgery could be postponed or canceled. Other pre-surgery guidelines not followed could cause a patient to become disqualified from the episode of care and therefore lose the incentive, as well as the employer suffering unknown and typically much higher cost from other surgical resources such as a health system.

The most recent element in Holista’s strategy and story came to fruition in 2023 with the addition of an insurance component to cover physician risk. Physicians were reluctant to guarantee a fixed price knowing full well the potential case variance. Now with Holista’s innovative approach and laser focus on quality outcomes, true guaranteed episode of care offerings can be realized.

Obstetrics, gastroenterology, podiatry – 250 episodes of care have been designed with most fully in use in multiple states. Kate and Holista have their eyes set on chronic disease-based, longitudinal episodes – a truly innovative approach to total cost of care.

To Learn More Please Contact Craig Evans

Remote Patient Monitoring

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 22:11:00 GMT

A key outcome from the COVID 19 pandemic has been an increase in the acceptance and use of virtual care, both by patients and doctors. Certainly the use of telemedicine has served patients while protecting them from exposure to the virus during in-office visits.

Supplementing this remote care, are devices provided to patients that monitor their blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, blood ketone, pulse ox, temperature – from home – and transmitting device readings to their physician via the Internet. Remote patient monitoring – RPM – is proven to be useful in avoiding emergency/hospital services.

Who Benefits?

Of course patients with chronic conditions benefit through continual monitoring of their conditions. Hypertension, Tachycardia, Atrial Fibrillation, Hypotension, Bradycardia, Arrythmia, Pacemaker, Orthostatic Hypotension, Syncope, Renal Artery Stenosis, Coronary Artery Disease, Myocardial Infarction, Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes all justify the use of an in-home blood pressure cuff.

Increasingly health systems take on risk by serving the health needs of patients for a fixed amount. RPM can play a vital role in detecting and addressing changing medical conditions, thereby reducing that risk.

And independent physician practices can be compensated by Medicare, Medicare Advantage and even Commercial carriers in a per-patient-per-month model for providing the devices, ensuring patients use them, and consulting with the patient about trends or outlying readings.

How Does Our Organization Launch RPM?

There are two technical components to RPM care. The devices and the software that collects the data.

RPM Devices

Devices transmit results via a cellular connection directly to the result collection database, or via Bluetooth to a hub located in the patient’s home that sends the results on. Some devices can connect to a smart phone via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for the hub. Some devices are multifunction – such as BP and blood glucose combined. Direct cellular connections are generally preferred as they are not dependent on Internet accessibility and are somewhat simpler to implement and support for the patient and provider.

Result Collection Software

Result collection is Internet cloud based and often provided by the supplier/manufacturer of the devices. Parameters are programmed into the software that are device and patient specific, sending an automated message to the physician care team when a reading indicates intervention. The software also enables graphs and reports to spot trends that may also trigger physician outreach. There are optional interfaces to EHR software for result storage.

Do It Yourself, or Use a RPM Supplier

Device manufacturers can provide all the tools you need to implement the service. But insurance carriers including Medicare dictate that the devices be provided free to patients and reaching out to patients with qualifying diagnoses and the requisite coverage uses valuable resources.

Services from firms represented by Precision Healthcare Consulting will provide the devices, software, patient outreach and support for a portion of the fees you earn through insurance reimbursement. No upfront investment required. Reach out to us to learn more!!

Cyber Security and HIPAA Breach Protocol and Insurance Issues

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 22:17:00 GMT

In this episode of the Healthcare Consultants Podcast, Paul Redding shares the tips, tools, and programs that his company uses to protect doctors, nurses, and staff against cyber security and HIPAA breaches, and legal compliance problems.

Not only does the Compliancy Group educate, but they also ensure their clients in the event of a breach. Learn how the Compliancy Group keeps healthcare clients educated and insulated against data breaches and all the other pitfalls in cyber security and HIPAA laws and regulations by listening to this podcast with Paul Redding.

This program is hosted by the Chicago Health Law Firm of Michael V. Favia & Associates, P.C.Cyber Security and HIPAA with Paul Redding from Compliancy Group Healthcare Clients Comply with Cyber Security and HIPAA Laws Educating on Compliance, Audits, Process, and Procedure Time Required for Compliance Meeting and Education Insurance Against Audit or Information Breach and Notifications Contact Paul Redding at (855) 854-4722 ext 516 or predding@compliancygroup.com

This podcast and others like it are available on our YouTube Channel and our BlogTalkRadio Channel. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube page! To listen to our podcast please visit our page below.

https://favialawfirm.com/2022/03/09/cyber-security-and-hipaa-with-paul-redding-compliancy-group/

This program is brought to you by the Chicago Health Law and Professional Licensing firm of Michael V. Favia & Associates, with offices in Chicago and Rolling Meadows. For introductions and referrals to healthcare professionals in the Chicagoland area, call Michael V. Favia & Associates, P.C. at 312-270-0732 .

Telemedicine for Independent Practices

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 22:22:00 GMT

You are likely familiar with the style of telemedicine that has been available through large healthcare entities and insurance carriers. A telephone/video conversation with a physician, nurse practitioner or behavioral health professional has become a common and convenient way to diagnose and treat straight forward illnesses such as upper respiratory infections. Pay between $45 and $65 with a credit card and pick up your prescription at your preferred pharmacy.

More recently innovative IOT (Internet of Things) diagnostic devices have been developed which can be connected via Bluetooth to smart phones and computers to become powerful tools in augmenting telemedicine services. More accurately now referred to a virtual care or telehealth, this technology is becoming an increasingly important component in re-imagined models of healthcare delivery.

Blood pressure, stethoscope, blood sugar measuring devices, EKG, high definition digital camera, pulse ox, skin temperature sensors – just a few of the relatively inexpensive diagnostic aids that can increase physicians ability to observe and treat. But these same devices and many more on the horizon are also designed to monitor chronic conditions and provide real time information to patients and caregivers to warn them of impending conditions and avoid trips to the emergency room. There are even pills in development that will signal when they have been ingested.
The proven efficacy of these devices and the pressure being placed on health care organizations by value based payment models, where compensation is fixed per patient or episode, has industry experts believing that telehealth will soon be a dominant form of healthcare delivery.

CPT (procedure) codes have been recently established for both virtual evaluations and monitoring. CMS announced that these codes will be payable under Medicare advantage plans in 2020, without the previous restrictions requiring the patient be seen in a rural or underserved area. As Medicare advantage carriers are paid by CMS on a per member basis and not for each service, it is in their interest to serve their respective enrollees as efficiently as possible, causing most to believe these dynamics will cause telehealth service usage to explode, particularly in the nursing home and skilled nursing facility environments.

Integrating telehealth into an independent practice does not need to be a ground-up project. Companies such as PSC Healthcare provide a robust, cloud based telehealth platform that can be leased for less than $200 per month. Commercial carriers will follow Medicare’s lead and offer suitable reimbursement for telehealth encounters and monitoring. Precision Healthcare Consulting urges independent practices to offer these services to your patients, integrating them with your current offerings, before your patients are lured away by healthcare entities offering convenient physician interactions and continual monitoring options for chronic conditions via telehealth.

Corona Corona

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 22:25:00 GMT

How many of you have seriously thought that we would be living our lives the way we are approx. 6 months ago, and that a virus would place us in a position of such compromise?

As a medical practitioner and a part of our HPA group, I was humbled to be asked to elaborate on this topic for a bit. My background is akin to the orthopedic society, yet I will take a stab in somewhat of simple explanation. A sincere medical explanation would be to understand the state which we are in and why we are instructed to do the things being done.

To begin with some basics, this is a viral product as many of you have heard and not a bacterial one. It affects us like the flu and most of us now know and to put in simple terms, a more aggressive flu. This is one of the reasons many infectious disease specialists will dictate that the elderly or more immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of morbidity. To date, if we have been keeping up with our daily dose of media input, the one common acceptance is not knowing how long or what the duration of this viral existence or pandemic will be. This is on each beings’ mind. Diseases like such have a propensity of recurrence and hence it is vital to formulate a vaccine, just like the flu vaccine which some of us may attain each fall. To put simply, we do not understand the complete nature of this organism and therefore the most basic preventative measure humans can take is to limit exposure to each other, that is why we have social distancing.nTo keep and stay at home if you should have a fever or flu like symptoms which initiates the so-called quarantine period. This also warrants anyone who may have been around someone who may have been diagnosed with this virus. Why 2 weeks or 14 days? Simply put, the reason for this is that it may take this much time for the symptoms of flu like or sickness to possibly develop. Hence the quarantine. With the numbers we see each day, of the spread of people afflicted with this in any given state of our nation, along with the number of deaths, we are more inclined to be cautious in heeding to advice from our medical leaders.

As you all witness, we are careful in our daily life with routine hand washing, being more observant of what we touch or grab, the demise of our handshaking, the distance we keep to refrain from hugging as a hello, and along with foregoing the proverbial kiss on the cheek. The instructions given to us of not attending large gatherings, or crowded places, the cessation of sporting activities, schools which children becoming the source of travel for this, are all incubators for this virus to thrive.Kudos to our medical community and first responders especially in the Emergency Room who are diligently and tirelessly caring for the sick and to give support in healing them accordingly with any amenable equipment they possess to utilize.

Going forward, our concern is how long are we to live like this. It is an unknown factor that is still being worked on. One aspect that is clear is, this is causing havoc in medical care issues but more so in our economic well-being. Little did we realize how the restrictions can truly affect our income and sustainability. Unemployment due to distancing and not conducting business as usual marks places to close under government advice. A trickle down effect to each aspect of our lives from work to home to the growth of our nation. But let me shed some light on this, we have come through as a society from other epidemics and pandemics. The Spanish Flu, considered to be the most highly acclaimed disease, which most of us may or may not have learned, let alone witnessed it, has come and gone. This too shall pass. One thing I can conclude with is, we as a society need to look into ourselves as to who we are as a society, and what is our purpose of being here. This, a simple version of understanding, to all those who question a medical professional, as to what and where are we headed, is the unknown. We are all in this together and we all stand strong. Hope is our savior. Let us be optimistic for we shall remember these moments for our future to come. Ty

Large Dental Practice Provider Hacked, Over 100 Dental Offices Impacted

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 22:27:00 GMT

There was two dental practice IT Providers hit in the last 2 months. CTS, like many MSP’s, offers Cybersecurity services with no indication of staff with any security expertise. Not a good idea. When the insurance providers look into if the MSP had the expertise to offer these services and practiced due care, the word is the answer is no and they are NOT covering the $450,000 ransom.

I can’t say this enough, get a risk assessment of your MSP to help make sure you’re not in the news.

A Colorado company that specializes in providing IT services to dental offices suffered a ransomware attack this week that is disrupting operations for more than 100 dentistry practices.

Multiple sources affected say their IT provider, Englewood, Colo. based Complete Technology Solutions (CTS), was hacked, allowing a potent strain of ransomware known as “Sodinokibi” or “rEvil” to be installed on computers at more than 100 dentistry businesses that rely on the company for a range of services — including network security, data backup, and voice-over-IP phone service.

Health Practice Advisors Roundtable Discussions on the Practice of Medicine and Medicare and Medicaid

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 22:29:00 GMT

Illinois Medical Director of Medicaid/Medicare, Dr. Arvind Goyal joined us for a private round table discussion on “The Most Frequently Asked Questions Practitioners have about Medicaid/Medicare Services”.

Dr. Goyal spoke of three primary goals for Illinois Medicaid. Accessibility, quality and cost control. 80% of the Medicaid recipients in Illinois have their benefit provided by a managed care organization. If a medication is approved by the FDA, Medicaid must pay for it. They can however enact preauthorization requirements as they see fit and can delay paying claims until they have determined under what clinical circumstances the medication is appropriate.

1 in 4 Illinois residents now get some form of Medicaid. Dr. Goyal explained that not accepting Medicaid is within a practice’s rights, but added “do you really want to exclude 25% of Illinois patients from seeing you?”

A managed care organization administering the Medicaid benefit is only allowed a profit margin of 15%.

To learn more please call Health Practice Advisors today at 312-270-0732 .

HIPAA Social Media Guidelines

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 22:34:00 GMT

If your doctor’s office is active on social media please follow the guidelines below.

HIPAA Social Media Guidelines

Listed below are some basic HIPAA social media guidelines to follow in your organization, with links to further information to help ensure compliance with HIPAA rules.

Develop clear policies covering social media use and ensure all employees are aware of how HIPAA relates to social media platforms
Train all staff on acceptable social media use as part of HIPAA training and conduct refresher training sessions annually
Provide examples to staff on what is acceptable – and what is not – to improve understanding
Communicate the possible penalties for social media HIPAA violations – termination, loss of license, and criminal penalties
Ensure all new uses of social media sites are approved by your compliance department
Review and update your policies on social media annually
Develop policies and procedures on use of social media for marketing, including standardizing how marketing takes place on social media accounts
Develop a policy that requires personal and corporate accounts to be totally separated
Create a policy that requires all social media posts to be approved by your legal or compliance department prior to posting
Monitor your organization’s social media accounts and communications and implement controls that can flag potential HIPAA violations
Maintain a record of social media posts using your organization’s official accounts that preserves posts, edits, and the format of social media messages
Do not enter into social media discussions with patients who have disclosed PHI on social media.
Encourage staff to report any potential HIPAA violations
Ensure social media accounts are included in your organization’s risk assessments
Ensure appropriate access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized use of corporate social media accounts
Moderate all comments on social media platforms

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights has issued guidance on HIPAA social media regulations, detailing the specific aspects of HIPAA that apply to social media networks.

Have questions? Reach out to us today.

Got Big Toe Joint Arthritis? We Have Cartiva

Wed, 30 May 2018 22:39:00 GMT

Arthritis of the big toe joint is one of the most common foot problems affecting millions of Americans. There have been multiple methods to treat this common condition, from removing arthritic bone spurs to joint replacement to joint fusions. The latest procedure to treat this condition is the insertion of a synthetic cartilage like implant known as Cartiva. At Chicago DPM, I am thrilled to have this revolutionary treatment to help get people back on their feet and end pain. This FDA approved surgery involves placing a small jelly-bean sized implant between the joint to act as a shock absorber and as pseudo cartilage.

NBC’s Lester Holt recently reported how this treatment can be a ‘Game-Changer.’ For those with excruciating arthritis that even have difficulty in most shoes, it offers hope. Previous treatment required the big toes to be fused together with screws and plates, but that limits movement. Cartiva is simply an insertion of a synthetic cartilage offering comfort, flexibility and function.

Being able to do this treatment is exciting because most of my patients want motion in that joint along with pain free movement than with joint fusion. I encourage everyone to explore at www.cartiva.com to learn more about this state of the art procedure. Visit us for further in-depth discussion at www.chicagodpm.com

-Tayeb Hussain, DPM

Medical Mistakes: Physician Liability & Discipline

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 22:42:00 GMT

Medical mistakes, according to popular news sources, may be the third largest leading of death in the U.S. Why are medical errors so prevalent? Is there a culture among physicians in which errors are covered up or not questioned?

In a new Fox television series, “ The Resident ,” a young doctor and colleagues are aware of the error rate of a senior supervising physician and as the storyline goes, the young docs fear career and reputation damage if they were to report the senior doctors’ surgical error rate.

Common Medical Mistakes

Patient identification errors
Treating the wrong patient
Failure to timely treat a patient
Operating on the wrong body part
Leaving medical equipment inside a patient
Anesthetic failures causing patients to awaken
Failure to prevent infections by hand washing
Incorrectly identifying medical tubing and equipment

Experts say medical errors kill more than 250,000 annually .

With so much attention and reporting about medical mistakes and malpractice, it is fair to say that efforts are made to help healthcare professionals prevent medical errors. Some physicians have unique methods to incorporate systems they use to prevent mistakes. Something as simple as a redundant system to double check information accuracy can lead to the discovery of a mistake before it happens.

Medical staff and administrators must also use care in working as a team to ensure the efficient delivery of quality medical services without error. Just as school students practice fire drills, healthcare professionals can practice mistake prevention drills.

Licensing Attorney: Preventing Medical Mistakes

Chicago healthcare and licensing attorney, Michael V. Favia , frequently recommends all doctors, dentists and nursing professionals be prepared to answer questions about how they actively seek to prevent medical mistakes. If they cannot offer suggestions, there are clear opportunities for improvement and loss mitigation.

Relying on physician malpractice and hospital insurance and policy is insufficient to protect one’s medical license and career. Knowing how and what to say in documentation to a variety of regulatory boards and agencies is vital. What may feel straightforward and matter-of-fact to one doctor, may cause another to be reasonably alerted, and often for good reasons such as personal experience.

Favia frequently reminds healthcare professional clients that every decision and action can reach further downstream than we usually anticipate. Simply settling a malpractice claim without any admission of liability, can come back to haunt any licensed healthcare professional, especially when licensed in multiple states.

About Michael V. Favia & Associates, P.C.

Michael V. Favia & Associates, P.C. is a health law and litigation firm in Chicago representing individuals, healthcare professionals, and organizations with civil legal matters as well as professional licensing and regulation.

With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side, and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a discrete meeting with an attorney at your convenience and discretion. Michael V. Favia & Associates is available at (773) 631-4580. Please visit www.favialawfirm.com and feel free to “ Like ” the firm on Facebook and “ Follow ” the firm on Twitter. You can also review endorsements and recommendations for Michael V. Favia on his Avvo.com profile and on LinkedIn .

Valuing and Selling Your Dental Practice With Michael Erin

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:46:00 GMT

Today’s interview with Michael Erin, a dental valuation and practice consultant and broker, focuses on how Dentists prepare for retirement and a succession plan for the transition and sale of the work and interest in their dental practice.

Michael Erin of Practice Management & Associates

Topics Covered in This 30-Minute Interview

About Progressive Management and dental brokerage generally;
Preparing for retirement, when to start selling your practice;
Different types of buyers you may identify well in advance;
Understanding the timeline and process of dental practice valuation.

Michael Erin is a management consultant, valuation specialist, and practice broker in the Chicago hospital and healthcare industry. Mr. Erin, with Chicago’s Progressive Management & Associates, the Chicago dental practice brokerage, works with dental specialists in transition with their private practice. He works with sellers, buyers, and valuation services to keep the transition out of practice in the fast lane, to maximize profits for his clients. Michael Erin is a colleague with our host, Michael V. Favia, through the Health Practice Advisors network group in Chicago.

Michael V. Favia & Associates are available to advise and represent healthcare professionals and the general Chicagoland community with a variety of legal issues. With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburbs, you can schedule a discrete meeting with an attorney at your convenience and discretion.

For more about Michael V. Favia & Associates’ professional licensing work, please call 773-631-4580 , visit www.IL-Licensing.com , and feel free to “ Like ” the firm on Facebook and “ Follow ” the firm on Twitter. You may also connect with Attorney Michael V. Favia on LinkedIn and on Avvo.com where you may also read client endorsements and reviews.