AMMG Adds Two Modules to its Physician Training Program: Practice Management and Aesthetics
Jeff Morris
Physician Training through AMMG aims to help physicians who are transitioning to or growing their age management medicine practice gain a clearer, fuller understanding of exactly how to do so, and to learn about some of the additional revenue streams possible. The Practice Management and Aesthetic Medicine modules give physicians more options, and the knowledge needed to pursue them.
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Many physicians who would like to make the move to age management medicine need assistance with the nuts-and-bolts of transitioning from a disease-based, traditional-insurance practice into age management medicine’s health-focused, direct-pay approach. Whether practicing part-time or full-time, these two new modules provide the guidance necessary to move forward with confidence.
Practice Management is designed for the many AMMG conference attendees who are attracted to the field of age management medicine, but do not feel qualified, or empowered with the necessary tools, to successfully transition from the well-established structure of disease-based medicine. Part of their discomfort is with the thought of moving from the traditional insurance-based reimbursement system into a system which relies to a significant degree upon direct pay, since proactive, health-oriented services are often not covered by insurance. In this module, physicians, healthcare professionals and office staff will be able to review in detail the strategies and methods of successfully making this transition. The curriculum includes "How to Transition Current Patients to a Direct Pay-Cash Practice" which focuses on strategies to use with an existing patient base, as well as "Billing and Collection Methods for a Direct Pay Practice," in which there is discussion of payment and collection methods outside of managed healthcare.
Office Based Aesthetics, meanwhile, is focused on a natural add-on to many age management medicine practices—one that can bring in a steady stream of income. The initial offering, Clinical Training in Microneedling & PRP, is presented in conjunction with the Advanced Aesthetics Education Group (AAEG) and features experienced faculty members H. William Song, M.D., Founder and CEO of Omni Aesthetics, and Marie Piantino, L.S., President of AAEG. Both have long resumes and have presented hands-on training at multiple AMMG conferences.
Both of these modules give attendees an opportunity to learn directly from some of the top providers in the field, with hands-on knowledge, practical advice, and honest discussion.
In Practice Management, attendees will be guided through the process of evaluating their professional goals and then be helped to create a successful strategy to achieve those goals. The content of will begin with creating a plan and then move into specific practical strategies for implementing this plan. Local demographics, office space, personnel needs, diagnostic equipment, electronic medical records, malpractice insurance, and financial budgeting will be reviewed. Developing successful relationships with vendors and compounding pharmacies as well as establishing advanced diagnostic laboratory support will be presented as well.
At the completion of this module, attendees should be equipped with the basic tools to decide whether to consider moving into an age management medicine practice and, if so, how to create a successful transition into this exciting field.
The Aesthetics module zeroes in on microneedling, also known as epidermal collagen induction therapy, or ECIT. The treatment uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries to the skin. These microinjuries stimulate collagen and elastin production. The use of PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, greatly enhances the results of microneedling. PRP is obtained by drawing a small amount of the patient's blood into a sterile tube. This sample is centrifuged to separate plasma, used for the treatment, from red and white blood cells. Plasma contains high concentration of platelets, stem cells and growth factors to help tissues heal and grow new cells. In this module, areas covered will include the history of microneedling, providing conceptual knowledge about the reasons and methods behind its development. Attendees will learn about Indications for Use, Pre & Post Care Programs, Patient Consultation Forms, and Pictures. There will, of course, be a hands-on demonstration of microneedling, as well as a session just on Understanding Growth Factors & PRP with Microneedling. The program concludes with open Q & A and discussion.
Practice Management is a full day, non-CME course. Besides the goal evaluation and direct-pay segments, the curriculum also includes these important topics:
- Evaluation of Personalized Practice Needs: Clearly define practice needs and establish a series of effective protocols for successful evaluation and development of personalized treatment plans for your patients.
- Development of a Personalized Business Plan: Develop a business plan incorporating your goals, practice needs, practice development strategies, time required, and ancillary services such as aesthetics and in office retail products, etc.
- Marketing Your Practice: Develop a budget and strategy for growth with marketing options such as local resources, advertising, economic demographics, the internet, websites, social media, presentation materials, and paid lead options.
- Patient Retention Strategies: How to develop long term relationships, motivate your patients, and upsell advanced therapies as they become available or as you become comfortable with them.
- Maintaining Competence in Age Management Medicine with Continuing Education: Continue building your knowledge base, stay updated with new and cutting-edge information, maintain critical contacts with colleagues and seek out new technologies and products.
- The course concludes with a Roundtable Discussion session, giving time to ask all the questions that have been building.
These two modules have been designed to provide practical knowledge both to physicians who want to commit to a full-time future in age management medicine, or those would like to know more and be able to incrementally add elements to their practice. Register for Practice Management here, for the Aesthetics Module here, or for more information email certification@agemed.org or call 239-330-7495.
Return to May 2018 e-Journal 