Chiropractor Shopping

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Serenity Achieved! on February 26, 2010 at 8:38am

Questions I would want answered would be:
1. How and how much would I be paid? Do I have to wait for the DC to be paid before they pay me? Do the clients pay me directly and I give a cut to the DC? Does the DC set the prices or do I?
2. What would the chiropractor be providing? Table, linens, etc?
3. Would I have my own space or would I be "sharing" space with another therapist; would I be able to leave supplies somewhere in the office, or would I have to haul them in and out each time?
4. Does the DC expect me to help them market? Expos, health fairs, etc? Do they plan to compensate me for that time?
5. Is the DC ok with me using an electric table warmer?
6. How long of sessions will they be scheduling? How long will I have between appointments?
Plus ask about anything that concerns you...if you like to use aromatherapy or candles, is the DC ok with that? Many aren't.

All the DC's I've worked with over the years have required I learn about their scheduling system and style of chiropractic so I can help schedule appointments for them. You might want to ask about that too.

Good Luck

Permalink Reply by Rick Johnson on February 26, 2010 at 9:21am

Since Serenity covered the contractual side of the issue quite well, I'll just come at it from a quality of work angle and that is, what will the working relationship be between you and the DC? Will it be a team effort where the doc works closely with you on client issues and refers a lot of clients to you or will you just be renting space in his office? I have had it both ways but I much prefer a collaborative where the client receives more care designed to address specifics.More bang for the bucks, so to speak. Something you might want to consider. Oh, one other thing; will the doctor promote you and massage therapy in his advertising? Mine does.Hope this is helpful and good luck.
Rick

Permalink Reply by Heather Moll on February 26, 2010 at 9:34am

These are great questions. I'm curious about the table warmer... I do like to use a table warmer, especially in the winter. Has this been a problem for you in the past? Thanks so much for your response.

Serenity Achieved! said:

Questions I would want answered would be:
1. How and how much would I be paid? Do I have to wait for the DC to be paid before they pay me? Do the clients pay me directly and I give a cut to the DC? Does the DC set the prices or do I?
2. What would the chiropractor be providing? Table, linens, etc?
3. Would I have my own space or would I be "sharing" space with another therapist; would I be able to leave supplies somewhere in the office, or would I have to haul them in and out each time?
4. Does the DC expect me to help them market? Expos, health fairs, etc? Do they plan to compensate me for that time?
5. Is the DC ok with me using an electric table warmer?
6. How long of sessions will they be scheduling? How long will I have between appointments?
Plus ask about anything that concerns you...if you like to use aromatherapy or candles, is the DC ok with that? Many aren't.

All the DC's I've worked with over the years have required I learn about their scheduling system and style of chiropractic so I can help schedule appointments for them. You might want to ask about that too.

Good Luck

Permalink Reply by Heather Moll on February 26, 2010 at 9:38am

Thanks Rick. I'm definately looking for more of a collaborative effort. Would you mind elaborating on the bang for your buck point? Is it better for me to rent the space outright or split a percentage of the appointments. Is it likely that the majority of my billing will be insurance related?

Rick Johnson said:

Since Serenity covered the contractual side of the issue quite well, I'll just come at it from a quality of work angle and that is, what will the working relationship be between you and the DC? Will it be a team effort where the doc works closely with you on client issues and refers a lot of clients to you or will you just be renting space in his office? I have had it both ways but I much prefer a collaborative where the client receives more care designed to address specifics.More bang for the bucks, so to speak. Something you might want to consider. Oh, one other thing; will the doctor promote you and massage therapy in his advertising? Mine does.Hope this is helpful and good luck.
Rick

Permalink Reply by Robert Chute on February 26, 2010 at 9:39am

The back page column of Massage & Bodywork touches on some massage therapist/chiropractor issues. You may want to read that though (fair warning) it was written by some schmoe.

Heather Moll said:

These are great questions. I'm curious about the table warmer... I do like to use a table warmer, especially in the winter. Has this been a problem for you in the past? Thanks so much for your response. Serenity Achieved! said:

Questions I would want answered would be:
1. How and how much would I be paid? Do I have to wait for the DC to be paid before they pay me? Do the clients pay me directly and I give a cut to the DC? Does the DC set the prices or do I?
2. What would the chiropractor be providing? Table, linens, etc?
3. Would I have my own space or would I be "sharing" space with another therapist; would I be able to leave supplies somewhere in the office, or would I have to haul them in and out each time?
4. Does the DC expect me to help them market? Expos, health fairs, etc? Do they plan to compensate me for that time?
5. Is the DC ok with me using an electric table warmer?
6. How long of sessions will they be scheduling? How long will I have between appointments?
Plus ask about anything that concerns you...if you like to use aromatherapy or candles, is the DC ok with that? Many aren't.

All the DC's I've worked with over the years have required I learn about their scheduling system and style of chiropractic so I can help schedule appointments for them. You might want to ask about that too.

Good Luck

Permalink Reply by Rick Johnson on February 26, 2010 at 9:48am

Gladly. When a client comes to the office for treatment he/she sees two health care professionals at the same time.( one after the other, of course) They both treat her issues. It's a therapy intensity she rarely, if ever, receives from any other health care giver. Both treatments are complementary but different enough that she feels well attended to. She feels kind of special and that is a therapy unto itself.
Rick

Heather Moll said:

Thanks Rick. I'm definately looking for more of a collaborative effort. Would you mind elaborating on the bang for your buck point? Is it better for me to rent the space outright or split a percentage of the appointments. Is it likely that the majority of my billing will be insurance related?
Rick Johnson said:

Since Serenity covered the contractual side of the issue quite well, I'll just come at it from a quality of work angle and that is, what will the working relationship be between you and the DC? Will it be a team effort where the doc works closely with you on client issues and refers a lot of clients to you or will you just be renting space in his office? I have had it both ways but I much prefer a collaborative where the client receives more care designed to address specifics.More bang for the bucks, so to speak. Something you might want to consider. Oh, one other thing; will the doctor promote you and massage therapy in his advertising? Mine does.Hope this is helpful and good luck.
Rick

Permalink Reply by Julie Onofrio on February 26, 2010 at 10:11am

I would actually go in as a client first and see if I would want them to work on me or would you send your family members there? Do they have a similar philosophy about healing as you do?

Also with chiropractors most try to hire you as an indep. contractor when you really should be an employee. If they set your hours and what you do and can't do that is usually one of the indicators that you should be an employee (but check with an attorney to be sure.)

Also:
Will you be an employee or ind. contractor?
Write up a contract that shows what you are responsible for and what the chiro is responsible for.
Who owns the client files?
Who does the billing and collections?
Does the chiro pay you or do you pay him?
Will they just be referring to you or can you build your own business?
Are there incentives for you to build repeat clients or bring your own in? (higher pay?)
How much does the chiro charge clients and insurance for the massage? Many will try to charge really high prices and try to pay you nothing.

http://thebodyworker.com/employmentvscontractor.html


I would try to set up a flat rent and keep the relationship cleaner as far as money goes.

There is another group here talking about working for chiros and one person has an ebook on it.
http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/massageinachiropracticset...

http://www.advancedmassagetechniques.com/prmainchsefo.html

Julie
www.thebodyworker.com
www.massage-career-guides.com

Permalink Reply by Heather Moll on March 1, 2010 at 8:57am

Thanks Julie! This is all great information.

Julie Onofrio said:

I would actually go in as a client first and see if I would want them to work on me or would you send your family members there? Do they have a similar philosophy about healing as you do?

Also with chiropractors most try to hire you as an indep. contractor when you really should be an employee. If they set your hours and what you do and can't do that is usually one of the indicators that you should be an employee (but check with an attorney to be sure.)

Also:
Will you be an employee or ind. contractor?
Write up a contract that shows what you are responsible for and what the chiro is responsible for.
Who owns the client files?
Who does the billing and collections?
Does the chiro pay you or do you pay him?
Will they just be referring to you or can you build your own business?
Are there incentives for you to build repeat clients or bring your own in? (higher pay?)
How much does the chiro charge clients and insurance for the massage? Many will try to charge really high prices and try to pay you nothing.

http://thebodyworker.com/employmentvscontractor.html


I would try to set up a flat rent and keep the relationship cleaner as far as money goes.

There is another group here talking about working for chiros and one person has an ebook on it.
http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/massageinachiropracticset...

http://www.advancedmassagetechniques.com/prmainchsefo.html

Julie
www.thebodyworker.com
www.massage-career-guides.com

Permalink Reply by Heather Moll on March 25, 2010 at 7:59am

Yes Julie, you were right on with these questions. Most commonly I ran into a situation where a DC wanted me to come in as an independant contractor..... but they wanted to set my hours and offered me a flat rate for my services, ($30 per hour) regardless of what they were to charge for the services that I was offering. They also told me that I was only to offer a 30 min and one hour swedish massage and that I was not to include any additional services. I passed up this position because it didn't feel right to me.

Julie Onofrio said:

I would actually go in as a client first and see if I would want them to work on me or would you send your family members there? Do they have a similar philosophy about healing as you do?

Also with chiropractors most try to hire you as an indep. contractor when you really should be an employee. If they set your hours and what you do and can't do that is usually one of the indicators that you should be an employee (but check with an attorney to be sure.)

Also:
Will you be an employee or ind. contractor?
Write up a contract that shows what you are responsible for and what the chiro is responsible for.
Who owns the client files?
Who does the billing and collections?
Does the chiro pay you or do you pay him?
Will they just be referring to you or can you build your own business?
Are there incentives for you to build repeat clients or bring your own in? (higher pay?)
How much does the chiro charge clients and insurance for the massage? Many will try to charge really high prices and try to pay you nothing.

http://thebodyworker.com/employmentvscontractor.html


I would try to set up a flat rent and keep the relationship cleaner as far as money goes.

There is another group here talking about working for chiros and one person has an ebook on it.
http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/massageinachiropracticset...

http://www.advancedmassagetechniques.com/prmainchsefo.html

Julie
www.thebodyworker.com
www.massage-career-guides.com