Running a scaling, multi-location practice means time is your most valuable asset. We know you don't have hours to scour the web for industry news, so we've hand-picked insights for you.
From how the fastest-growing practices are actually putting AI to work to what it takes to stay independent as consolidation accelerates, here are the most actionable reads you need to stay ahead this week.
Nearly 80% of physicians now work for a health system or corporation, up from 60% in 2019 — and most clinicians were never taught the business skills that keep a practice independent. The operators who understand the economics of their own practice are the ones who stay independent. (via Healthcare Huddle)
How High-Growth PT Practices Actually Use AI
The fastest-growing practices have stopped debating whether to use AI and started embedding it into daily operations. A survey of 550+ outpatient rehab practices found the gap between adopters and holdouts is widening, and the winners treat automation as a way to stay lean longer, not to cut clinical staff. (via Prompt)
Front desk roles are carrying more volume than the traditional model was built for, and the cost is measurable: 41% of patients say they've considered leaving a provider over scheduling or check-in friction. This breakdown shows how multi-location practices are absorbing that routine load so staff can focus on the calls and conversations that actually need a person. (via Raintree)
Plenty of practices run an AI pilot that shows promise and then never makes it into daily operations. The argument here: the failure is rarely the technology — it's bolting automation onto messy workflows instead of redesigning the workflow first, then governing it with clear metrics. A useful frame for any operator deciding where to start across multiple locations. (via HIT Consultant)
AI often enters a practice quietly before anyone's decided how to oversee it. This is a plain-language look at the questions multi-location operators should be able to answer: where AI is actually in use, what your vendor contracts say about your patient data, and who's accountable when an output is wrong. (via McDermott Will & Schulte)
A breakdown of what in the name of AI you should actually be paying attention to: AI-native healthcare and the human-agent workforce
“AI-native healthcare” may sound impressive, but the key takeaway is clear: AI works best with clean, connected, and usable data. Winning companies won’t just add agents to chaotic systems. They’ll redesign workflows so humans and AI can collaborate safely and effectively.
Verdict: ✅ Worth paying attention to
According to Indie Health Co-Founder and CEO Eddie Czech, about 23 cents of every healthcare dollar goes to administrative work — and roughly a quarter of that is "dead money" that delivers no value at all. Reimbursement rates are out of your control, but operational excellence isn't. To help independent operators protect their margins and their independence, Eddie mapped out a practical, four-step framework:
Step 1: Conduct a Comprehensive Operational Audit
Document every workflow from first patient inquiry to final billing, and find the manual, resource-heavy steps. Some of the fastest margin wins are simple fixes, not new technology.
Step 2: Build a Modern Practice Management Foundation
Legacy systems that merely "bolt on" AI features won't move the needle. Modern EMR and practice management platforms that actually integrate documentation, scheduling, billing, and claims are what make deeper improvements possible.
Step 3: Establish Patient Lifecycle Tracking
Most owners can't see their own pipeline — lead conversion, no-show rates, plan completion, revenue forecast. Tracking the full patient journey turns guesswork into decisions you can actually make.
Step 4: Optimize Patient Utilization and Retention
A physical therapy patient approved for 10 sessions often completes only three — a major source of revenue leakage. Automated communication and engagement tools keep patients connected between visits so more of them finish their plan of care.
Thanks for joining us for another edition of Practice Independence — we’ll see you next week!
PS: We bring together independent practice owners for off-the-record conversations about what's actually working. Small rooms. Real talk. Reply to this email if you’re interested in attending or hosting a dinner near you.
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