The Intake

Insights for those starting, managing, and growing independent healthcare practices

Checklists and Guides

Grow your medical practice, attract more patients, and enhance operational efficiency with our free, accessible guides. Get checklists for streamlined operations, discover strategies for a robust online presence, explore tips on practice automation, and more.

Latest in Checklists and Guides

Cybersecurity in healthcare
Cybersecurity in healthcare
Cybersecurity in healthcare guide: Stop, respond, recover

This guide equips providers with the best knowledge and tools to navigate the complex world of cybersecurity in healthcare.

MACRA MIPS updates guide
MACRA MIPS updates guide
2024 MIPS and MACRA updates: A guide for clinicians and medical billers

You can submit data from performance year 2023 between now and April 15, 2024. Missing the deadline could equate to reductions in reimbursements.

how to get more patients
how to get more patients
The 2024 guide to attracting patients to your medical practice

Get patients in the door with these marketing and patient engagement tips.

Medical practice owner types policy guidelines for terminating a patient relationship
Medical practice owner types policy guidelines for terminating a patient relationship
Terminating a patient relationship: A guide for practices and providers (includes sample letters)

Terminating a patient relationship is never easy but sometimes necessary. Here are best practices you need to know, plus sample letter templates.

patient recall meaning
patient recall meaning
From checkup to follow up: A guide to effective patient recall with free templates

Follow-up appointments are an important part of patient retention and quality care. Here’s why they matter — and 4 templates to use when you reach out to patients.

Get expert tips, guides, and valuable insights for your medical practice
Retiree on Medicare asks healthcare provider what is an accountable care organization
Retiree on Medicare asks healthcare provider what is an accountable care organization
What is an Accountable Care Organization? A provider’s guide

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are groups of healthcare providers and hospitals that come together to coordinate care for Medicare patients.

patient no-show policy
patient no-show policy
Write the best no-show policy for your practice (and patients)

A strong no-show policy not only reduces late and no-show appointments but protects your practice revenue and patient relationships. Here’s how.

medical billing process
medical billing process
How to get paid more and faster by improving your medical billing process

By following best practices for medical billing, you can reach your profit potential.

Patient speaks to doctor asking is age hipaa protected
Patient speaks to doctor asking is age hipaa protected
What is protected health information? A primer for healthcare providers

Providers must be careful not to reveal these 9 types of protected health information when marketing their practices online.

Medical practice manager works on healthcare conversion rate optimization on laptop computer
Medical practice manager works on healthcare conversion rate optimization on laptop computer
A guide to conversion marketing for healthcare practices

See how healthcare practices can encourage prospective patients to take desired actions on their website

Physician looking at tablet learning about Google My Business for doctors
Physician looking at tablet learning about Google My Business for doctors
Google Business Profile step-by-step basics for healthcare practices

Here’s how to create your Google Business Profile to interest patients in your practice.

a doctor and patient discovering what is CAHPS survey
a doctor and patient discovering what is CAHPS survey
Everything you need to know about the CAHPS survey

Learn about the CAHPS survey and how it can help you evaluate your patients’ experience.

a provider who uses medical billing automation for clean claims
a provider who uses medical billing automation for clean claims
A guide to medical billing automation and revenue cycle management for your independent practice

Streamline your billing process and claims management to reduce claim denials, minimize reimbursement delays, and shorten payment cycles.

a Black doctor using a tablet to take steps to protect patient privacy
a Black doctor using a tablet to take steps to protect patient privacy
4 steps to protect patient privacy you can implement right now

Regulatory compliance, internal audits, secure software, and patient education are all foundational to protect patient privacy.

helping retirees navigate the medical system
helping retirees navigate the medical system
A guide for helping retirees navigate the healthcare system

The US Healthcare system can be challenging for many patients, especially retirees. Learn how to assist older patients with medicare and other medical challenges.

a parent with a child who illustrates starting a medical practice checklist
a parent with a child who illustrates starting a medical practice checklist
New medical practice checklist: Here’s how to get started

Make starting a medical practice easier with this checklist.

Physician using stethoscope and using clinic equipment on patient
Physician using stethoscope and using clinic equipment on patient
Medical clinic office equipment: A checklist for your practice

The right medical office equipment can help you enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resources. Use this checklist to get started.

physician smiling and speaking to practice staff member
physician smiling and speaking to practice staff member
The ultimate how-to guide to optimize margins and increase revenue at your medical practice

Learn how to optimize your practice’s operations — which can help you improve your financial performance, provide exceptional patient experiences, and make your business more profitable.

starting a medical practice
starting a medical practice
How to start a new medical practice: The definitive guide

If you’re considering opening a practice and want step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process, you’ve found the right resource.

Sliding scale fee therapy
Sliding scale fee therapy
Guide to creating a sliding fee scale (with free worksheets)

Step-by-step instructions on how to create a sliding fee scale so you can provide affordable services to patients in need.

graphic for seo for medical practices
graphic for seo for medical practices
Free SEO for medical practices checklist

Review the tasks that can help you reach patients and prospects with this SEO for medical practices checklist.

Doctor and daughter looking at how to start a medical practice website checklist
Doctor and daughter looking at how to start a medical practice website checklist
11 medical practice website must-haves (+ free checklist)

What’s your medical practice website missing? Here are 11 must-haves — plus a free checklist to track your progress.

Medical practice manager looks at a medical practice growth checklist online
Medical practice manager looks at a medical practice growth checklist online
Grow your independent practice in 2024: The practice growth checklist for medical providers

Use this helpful checklist to review your current growth actions and develop a comprehensive, proactive growth strategy for 2024 and beyond.

patient feedback
patient feedback
The ultimate guide for medical practice growth in 2024

Use these practice growth digital strategies to increase patient volume and enrich every patient’s overall experience.

Get expert tips, guides, and valuable insights for your healthcare practice