I’m writing this article for the benefits of the new docs and students that is not aware of the real world. I know that some chiropractors will probably read these articles and decide not to post. Listen up and listen good, read and learn from the doctors in this site. They have been through it all and they know what they are talking about.
Ok, I will lay it out once and for all.
I’ve been practicing for 20 years and the first 5 years I worked as an associate. The bottom line is that they don’t care about you. Who is they? Well, the chiropractors that you are working for, the insurance companies etc……
The first couple of years of practice the chiropractors that worked for the insurance board reviews were declining my claims. This is when I realize that this is a dog eat dog kind of world. Most chiropractors could care less about their associates. The reason why the majority of chiropractors hire an associate is to make more money. Trust me, you were not hired so that they can lose an extra $50 to $60,000/year.
Let me tell you the problems with the associate position:
- You will learn absolutely nothing but learning how to adjust. When it comes to the business aspect of it, FORGET ABOUT IT!!! Most chiropractors will not teach you billing, coding ect…..It’s not that they don’t have the time, it’s just that they don’t want to. If you were making a million a year, would you show somebody else how to make a million so that you can have competition.
- Work, Work and Work. In a busy practice, you will probably be adjusting 3 to 400 patients a week, will probably be screening, will probably be in charge of all ROFs, Exams, X-rays etc……
- Commission, most of the compensation or commissions plans are crap. For every dollar you will probably get a nickel. Most associates are afraid of opening a practice and you should. Keep in mind that you are swimming with sharks. Managing and running a practice is not an easy task.
Usually in the interview, everything sound nice and they promise you the world. It’s a trap. Make sure that you read, read, READ your contracts. Your employer is not your friend, they are your employer. You need to lay out all the cards on the table from the start. You should agree on what you will and will not do. This is very important, since new tasks are always assigned during the course of your contract.
For those of you currently in an associate position, GOOD LUCK!!! This is not only for chiropractors!!!! I know optometrist, dentist, podiatrist that went through the same thing.
I know most of you are probably saying!!! Well, his on the other side now, why is he writing this? Like I said before, my first 5 years were spent as an associate. Guess What? I was screwed for 5 years. I’ve been in practice for 20 years and I made a promise to myself not to screw any new docs or associates.
Financially, I’m OK and all my associates are OK. I do not hide anything from my associates, I lay it all on the table. I tell them what I’m making and what they will be making. I tell them from the start that they are not hired because I wanted to lose money, so yes they will be working. I teach them how to bill, code and they have an option to leave and start their own practice if they so wish. The funny thing is that most of them don’t want to after learning all the stress of running a practice. I treat all of them as if they were partners and they are compensated well, well, well. For Example my first year associate is making $78,000/year plus commission. His first year straight out of school, he earned $102,000/year. This is more than any new MD, Dentist, Optometrist etc….. How many associates can you honestly say that’s making that kind of money. Don’t let it fool you Dr. Chuck work his ass off also.
Out of all the associates that I’ve had, only one ended up leaving for family issues. I have 4 associates working for me and they are all happy.
My advice is to be careful, it’s not a kind world out there.
I will be glad to answer any question. Feel free to post any questions, I will be happy to answer them.
Dr. Simmins
Comments