Forming an Ophthalmology Practice or Business in California
San Diego Medical Practice and Healthcare Business Attorneys
Are you considering forming an ophthalmology practice in San Diego or anywhere in California? The Watkins Firm can be a strong partner in the process of forming your business entity and getting your new practice off the ground. We have helped to form medical and healthcare business of all sizes, from individual medical practices and advised a national chain of ophthalmology businesses.
Starting a medical business in California is legally quite complex. The various aspects of Ophthalmology and associated practices are governed by federal law as well as extensive California Corporation Code and the regulations of the California State Board of Optometry.
How you structure your practice and the supporting business elements of managing employees, governance and compliance will make a substantial impact on the viability and long term success of your practice.
Management Services Organization or MSO
Many ophthalmology practices and related healthcare businesses consider the addition of a Management Services Organization or MSO to the primary entity (usually a California Professional Corporation or PC). The MSO generally handles all non-medical aspects of the ophthalmology practice or business in California allowing the medical team and technicians to focus on delivering exceptional eye care.
Your practice may involve one or more of the following ophthalmology professionals:
- Ophthalmologists
- Neuro Ophthalmologists
- Oculoplastic Surgeons
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Optometrists
- Orthoptists
- Ophthalmic Technicians
- Ophthalmic Assistants
What should you be thinking about when forming an ophthalmology practice in San Diego or anywhere in California?
The Business Entity of an Ophthalmology Practice
What is the best business entity for an ophthalmology practice in California? The California Professional Corporation or “PC” provides several advantages to ophthalmologists and licensed California ophthalmic professionals.
The California Professional Corporation or “PC” provides extensive debt and liability protections which are not available under a typical LLC, S-Corporation or C-Corporation. The PC provides extensive protections for all professionals from any individual malpractice or negligence associated with another member of the practice.
The California Professional Corporation can provide additional tax-related protections and deductions while increased flexibility in the amount of contributions to retirement vehicles such as a 401(k).
Management Services Organization or MSO
You may also want to consider a Management Services Organization or MSO to complement your California Professional Corporation. The MSO can handle all of the non-medical aspects of the practice to free up medical professionals to focus on delivering exceptional healthcare. This has shown to greatly improve the patient experience as well as patient satisfaction scoring.
Healthcare Contracts for Ophthalmology
Forming an ophthalmology practice in California will require employment contracts for physicians, ophthalmology professionals, nurses, ophthalmic technicians, scheduling and insurance personnel and other employees.
Your practice will require uniquely tailored policies and procedures and employee handbooks which protect the practice and ensure compliance with all federal, state and local employment laws.
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If you are forming a new medical practice or healthcare entity, ophthalmology group or center, or joint venture the experienced business formation attorneys at the Watkins Firm can help you select the appropriate entity and inform you of the advantages of the California Professional Corporation. If you are already an operational entity you may need to learn about staffing and employer defense, physician and medical professional contracts, governance and regulatory compliance or the development of a compliance plan. Our experienced healthcare law attorneys also resolve healthcare related disputes and lawsuits in a timely and cost effective manner and represent clients in arbitration or mediation.
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Contact Experienced San Diego Medical Business and Healthcare Lawyers
We know that Forming an ophthalmology practice in California is both exciting and challenging. Getting your new practice up and running will require a legal partner with deep experience in the healthcare industry as well as a common sense approach to business.
The Watkins Firm will help to make the process of forming your new ophthalmology practice as easy and straight-forward as possible while providing sound advice and counsel.
We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our former clients and the legal industry and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary and substantive consultation with one of our attorneys.
Learn about all of the steps associated with forming an ophthalmology practice in California and how the Watkins Firm can serve as a valuable business partner now and in the months and years to come.