Value of Ancillary Services

I believe that only about one-fifth of doctors have recently started providing ancillary services.
But as the squeeze on physicians’ reimbursements continues, interest in ancillary services has been increasing and interest varies widely by specialty. PCPs, in particular, have a wide range of ancillary services to choose from. Family physicians listed medication dispensing, weight-loss services, in-office diagnostic tests, nutrition counseling, cosmetic services, and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and massage.

What Ancillary Service Should I Offer?

• When choosing a new service, it is important to find one that fits your particular practice. For example, a practice with a growing number of older women might be the right fit for cosmetic services (known as “med spa”), whereas one with many diabetic patients might focus on counseling for them.
• When deciding on a service, look at your referrals. Your prescriptions are filled by the pharmacy, patients with back pain go to physical therapists or pain management clinics, and blood tests go to a reference lab. If you did this work in-house you would be able to boost your income, provide patients with one-stop services, and have greater control over the care you provide.
• Although cosmetic lasers and radiography machines can generate a lot of income, they are expensive.
• On the other hand, diabetes and weight-loss counseling are less lucrative, but expenses are quite low.

I believe Physicians can increase revenue for their practice by offering the following nine ancillary services:

1. Allergy Therapy
2. Urgent Care Center
3. Med Spa services
4. Physical Therapy
5. Dispensing medications from your office
6. Performing radiography
7. Laboratory tests
8. Weight-Loss services
9. Diabetes Counseling services