Business Plans for a Lifestyle Medicine Center

Abstract

Operationalization of the business aspects of a Lifestyle Medicine Center is presented, including guidance that bridges future payment models with effective, efficient, and quality outcomes. Lifestyle medicine is distinguished from more traditional branches of medicine and must be clinically excellent, highly efficacious in hard number terms, and managed to a higher than typical standard. While drafting rough business plans is relatively easy, navigating the hidden dynamics and minefields of modern healthcare is quite challenging. Integrating the complexities of a very different clinical care paradigm with exceptional healthcare business skills to wrangle adverse payment models is required. Various payer models are presented as well as financial management fundamentals for the most common models. Creating a realistic, fully researched, and mapped out business plan is a substantial project and parties involved need to commit to doing the process properly. The common business-oriented barriers to successful implementation in Lifestyle Medicine Centers are addressed. Frameworks, guidance on specific issues, best use of time and energy for commonly encountered challenges, and samples of what works in the real world are discussed. Practice and big picture business planning “maps” are included. Challenges and pitfalls with proposed approaches are also presented. Aspects of a business plan, including implementation sequencing, are also provided. A sound business plan enables organizations, centers, corporations, practices, healthcare systems, and individual healthcare professionals to successfully deliver sustainable lifestyle medicine services.