Every November rolls around and most people in healthcare just buckle up and try to enjoy the ride. People meet deductibles and need to use FSA and HSA funds before the calendar turns over. Patients that you have not seen in months all of a sudden need care because they had a surgery or a procedure earlier in the year and want to utilize their insurance benefits.

Every year we tell ourselves that this year is going to be different and I would be lying to you and myself if I said it doesn’t seem to get better or easier.

Obviously, when you own a business being busy is better than sitting around and twiddling your thumbs. People in the door are what pay the bills. While healthcare is kind of complicated to explain to lay people that don’t quite understand the reimbursement process or how insurance works, the bottom line is that you need people to come in the door to pay the bills.

I have said for years that the first half of the year, you just try to keep you head above water as patients are trying to figure out new insurance and the timing of when I started the business, all of the yearly bills are due during the first half of the year.

The buffer that a business like myself has is that being diversified is what carries you through.  While I have always said that I believe in staying in my lane having numerous different services is ideal in my world. Acupuncture always needs to be done and people are always in pain and need of chiropractic care. The DOT side is an interesting thing in our business as it is a service that is needed year round.

As stated earlier, I have certain times of the year that the DOT/CDL services are busier than other but as this service continues to grow; the ups and downs seem to be leveling out. Adding the drug & alcohol testing is an added benefit for most of the drivers that come in for DOT physicals but this is not a seasonal service, it will be year round as well.

The reason that I write this is to remind myself and patients that come through the doors is to have patience. Every year, we tell ourselves that we are going to schedule better or that we need to be more lenient with people and every year we end up in the situation. Everyone’s lives are hectic and chaotic this time of year but a little bit of patience and reflection as to why we are doing what we are doing along with ultimately everything will be okay with the schedule and the office.

As the years go, services are stabilizing with things that I like, prefer and make most sense for the offices but there are things that do take more time than others so if you come in and we are running 5 minutes behind, just know that we will take our time with you as well and I will get back on schedule but this time of year it can be difficult due to the pure volume of things going on.

We continue to strive to offer the best service possible for chiropractic care, DOT/CDL physicals, acupuncture and drug/alcohol testing. Services are not going to change in my opinion for the foreseeable future but we continue to get busier and busier with all of the services, so we ask for your patience and continue to appreciate your patronage.