08/13/2015    Lawrence Rubin, DPM

Supergroups and/or Niche Practices

What I have to say is just my opinion, but it
reflects more that 50 years of past and present
involvement in podiatric academics, clinical
practice, Medicare and insurance company
consulting, and podiatry-related for profit and
nonprofit business entities. One of those
entities was a foot care IPA with over 125
members that provided the public and payers
with a menu of network-wide, "niche" podiatry
services not available elsewhere in the area.

In looking forward to surviving and even
thriving in the future, some recent PM News
posts tout the value of practicing as a member
of a "supergroup" network and other posts tout
providing "niche" services in your practice. I
suggest that everyone reading this post find
out all you can can about joining or forming
"supergroup" podiatry networks in your area
that can develop and market "niche" services.
Combining both of these concepts into one
practice entity can secure your future.

I propose that in any given community, a
supergroup network of participating podiatric
practices that provides niche services that are
needed and wanted by a large percentage of the
community's population -- and can provide these
services with more quality features and cost
containment controls than other foot care
providers in the area -- has the ability to
successfully capture large numbers of patients
in today's and tomorrow's foot care
marketplace. That marketplace includes both the
general public, physician networks, and managed
"Obamacare" entities such as ACO's and Medical
Homes. And, for those individuals and
supergroups looking for a good niche to fill --
-- how about a dedicated focus on saving
diabetic limbs and lives by preventing foot
complications, amputations, and even death? In
other words: A niche dedicated to putting a big
dent in you local wound care industry by
creating public awareness about preventing
diabetic foot wounds and their bleak
consequences and then providing the necessary
services to accomplish this. Once you begin
getting the word out, there will be a lot of
individuals and groups in your area who will
jump on your supergroup's diabetic limb and
life saving bandwagon!

We as podiatrists know more about how to
prevent foot complications in diabetics and
other at risk patients than any other health
professional group. So, let's not keep it a
secret in our communities. Take a giant step
into your future: Become a member of a
supergroup or initiate the formation of a
supergroup network in your area. Then, create a
niche in preventive foot care, and then go out
and successfully market your niche services to
the public and managed "Obamacare." We're doing
it successfully in Las Vegas, and if we can do
it here, why not do it in your area?

Lawrence Rubin, DPM, Las Vegas, NV

There are no more messages in this thread.