Introduction
Primary care practices are at the heart of healthcare, providing comprehensive, continuous care to patients. However, with rising operational costs, declining reimbursements, and increasing administrative burdens, many primary care providers struggle to maintain financial stability. One of the most effective ways to improve practice efficiency, enhance patient outcomes, and boost profitability is by integrating ancillary services into the practice.
By offering key ancillary services, primary care providers can expand patient care options, reduce the need for external referrals, and generate additional revenue. With a cloud-based EHR system like DocVilla, managing ancillary services becomes seamless, allowing for better coordination, automated billing, and efficient workflow integration.
1. What Are Ancillary Services in Primary Care?
Definition
Ancillary services refer to diagnostic, therapeutic, and support services that complement a primary care provider’s core offerings. These services enhance the patient experience by reducing the need for referrals while increasing the practice’s efficiency and profitability.
Benefits of Ancillary Services for Primary Care
- Better Patient Care: Patients receive comprehensive services in one location.
- Increased Revenue: Practices can bill for additional services, reducing financial dependency on reimbursements.
- Improved Patient Retention: Offering more services in-house prevents patients from seeking care elsewhere.
- Enhanced Workflow Efficiency: With DocVilla’s EHR, ancillary services integrate seamlessly into patient records and billing.
2. Key Ancillary Services for Primary Care Practices
A. Diagnostic & Preventive Testing Services
1. Laboratory Testing & Blood Work
- Essential for chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders).
- DocVilla’s EHR allows seamless integration with Labs, enabling easy test ordering and result retrieval.
2. Radiology & Imaging Services
- X-rays, ultrasound, EKG, and echocardiograms for quick in-office diagnostics.
- EHR integration ensures that imaging results are automatically stored in the patient’s chart.
3. Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy
- Skin and blood tests for allergies, followed by immunotherapy treatments.
- Reduces patient wait time and referrals to specialists.
4. Chronic Disease Screenings
- Diabetes, cardiovascular risk, osteoporosis, and metabolic syndrome screenings.
- Preventive care services improve early detection and disease management.
B. Therapeutic Services
5. Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
- Beneficial for patients recovering from injuries, surgery, or chronic pain.
- Integrated scheduling through DocVilla’s cloud-based EHR improves appointment tracking.
6. Behavioral & Mental Health Services
- Psychiatry, counseling, and substance abuse programs can be integrated into primary care.
- Telemedicine integration allows virtual behavioral health visits.
7. Weight Loss & Obesity Management
- Medically supervised weight loss programs, including meal planning and lifestyle coaching.
- DocVilla’s EHR supports custom templates for weight loss tracking and medication management.
C. Chronic Care & Remote Patient Monitoring
8. Chronic Care Management (CCM) Programs
- Essential for patients with diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Practices can bill for CCM services under Medicare’s CPT codes.
- DocVilla’s chronic care templates ensure structured documentation for billing compliance.
9. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
- Continuous tracking of blood pressure, glucose levels, and oxygen saturation.
- EHR integration ensures real-time data collection and alerts for abnormal readings.
10. Pain Management & Joint Injections
- Offering in-office trigger point injections, PRP therapy, and cortisone injections.
- Improves chronic pain management while enhancing practice revenue.
3. Integrating Ancillary Services with a Cloud-Based EHR
Why Choose a Cloud-Based EHR for Ancillary Services?
A cloud-based EHR system like DocVilla provides seamless integration for ancillary services, offering:
- Automated Billing & Coding: Reduces manual errors in claim filing and reimbursement tracking.
- Enhanced Data Security: Ensures HIPAA compliance for patient records and transactions.
- Telemedicine & Patient Portal: Allows patients to book ancillary services online.
- Lab & Imaging Integration: Eliminates the need for faxing orders or manually entering test results.
4. How Ancillary Services Boost Revenue for Primary Care Practices
Revenue Growth Potential
- CCM and RPM services can generate additional revenue of $60-$100 per patient per month.
- Diagnostic and laboratory services reduce dependency on external labs, keeping reimbursement in-house.
- Behavioral health and weight loss programs encourage recurring patient visits.
Reducing Overhead Costs
- Telehealth integration reduces in-office congestion, lowering staff costs.
- Automated EHR solutions reduce administrative workload, allowing staff to focus on patient care.
5. Implementing an Ancillary Services Strategy in Your Practice
Step 1: Identify Patient Needs
Analyze patient demographics and health trends to determine the most valuable ancillary services.
Step 2: Invest in the Right Technology
Ensure that your EHR system supports multi-specialty services, like DocVilla, which integrates:
- Lab Ordering & Results Management
- Chronic Care & RPM Monitoring
- Automated Billing for Ancillary Services
Step 3: Train Staff & Market Your Services
- Educate staff on new offerings to ensure proper documentation and billing.
- Use patient portals, newsletters, and social media to inform patients about new services.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Practice with Ancillary Services & DocVilla
Integrating ancillary services into your primary care practice enhances patient care, improves retention, and increases revenue. With DocVilla’s cloud-based EHR, you can streamline workflows, manage lab integrations, automate billing, and expand service offerings effortlessly.
Are you ready to optimize your practice with ancillary services? Contact DocVilla today to schedule a free demo!