Key Considerations for a Sound Audiology Practice 

Audiology has come into its own in recent years. What used to be a service provided mainly within hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices has now emerged as an independent practice. With the increase in the number of individuals aged 65 and over (who are more likely to experience hearing loss), audiologists are in high demand and are expected to keep thriving. In fact, the industry is gearing up for some significant growth, with revenue projected to hit $44.7 billion in 2024. 

The FDA’s introduction of an over-the-counter (OTC) category for hearing aids will further transform audiology. This will improve the accessibility and affordability of hearing aids while also raising awareness about the importance of hearing health. 

While the potential market and opportunities for success in audiology are promising, it is vital to acknowledge the risks of establishing your practice. Data shows that 14.4% of healthcare businesses fail within the first year and 41.2% within the first five years. This emphasizes the need for thorough planning and careful consideration when venturing into private practice.  

As such, we’ll discuss five critical financial considerations for a sound audiology practice. Let’s equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to build a successful business that makes a real difference in the lives of your patients! 

Featured Topics:

• Start-Up Costs and Funding
• Revenue Sources and Cash Flow Management
• Pricing and Fee Structure
• Financial Performance Tracking and Analysis
• Tax Planning and Compliance
• What’s Next: Financial Planning for Growth and Expansion

Start-Up Costs and Funding

Factor in expenses such as equipment, office space, licensing fees, insurance, marketing, and hiring staff. These costs can vary depending on the size and scope of your practice.  

Once you understand your start-up costs, you can explore various funding options. One common avenue is securing a loan from a financial institution. This option provides you with the necessary funds upfront, and you can develop a repayment plan that fits your financial goals. Another option to explore is grants. Often, grants are available specifically for healthcare professionals or small business owners, which can help offset some of your start-up costs. 

Creating a well-thought-out budget is essential to manage your finances effectively. Account for your start-up costs and projected expenses for the first few years of operation. Include recurring expenses like rent, utilities, payroll, and marketing efforts. By having a detailed budget, you can better track your actual costs and make informed financial decisions along the way. 

There are financial complexities specific to audiology, so it’s best to work with an accountant specializing in the healthcare industry. 

Revenue Sources and Cash Flow Management

Your primary revenue source is patient fees. These fees are generated through patient services, such as hearing evaluations, fittings, and follow-up appointments.  

Aside from the patient fees, you also generate revenue from insurance reimbursements. Familiarize yourself with the insurance landscape, including the types of coverage commonly utilized by your target patient population. Furthermore, understand how your pricing structure might affect insurance coverage and reimbursement. Knowing these factors will facilitate a smooth reimbursement process, ensuring you receive timely payments. 

Managing cash flow is crucial for maintaining a healthy financial position. This involves efficiently managing accounts receivable and payables. Implementing timely billing, clear payment terms, and effective follow-up on outstanding invoices can help improve cash flow. On the payables side, negotiating favorable terms with suppliers and vendors can provide some flexibility in managing your expenses. 

A stable cash flow is essential to covering expenses and investing in growth opportunities. It allows you to meet your financial obligations, including rent, salaries, and equipment maintenance while providing the resources needed to expand your practice. As part of your financial planning, consider creating a cash flow projection to anticipate any potential cash shortfalls and make necessary adjustments in advance. 

The good news is that all these can be automated, saving you time and potential losses due to human error. Invest in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that will streamline processes – including billing, expense tracking, and financial reporting! 

Pricing and Fee Structure

The appropriate pricing structure should account for various factors, such as competition, geographic location, service differentiation, profitability, and accessibility. 

One of the primary considerations in pricing and fee structure for audiology services is the choice between bundling and unbundling. An unbundled pricing structure involves billing each service or product separately. In contrast, a bundled pricing structure bills the total cost of hearing aid evaluation, fitting, and management as a single unit. Although unbundling may result in higher revenue for each service, the bundled structure is more straightforward and acceptable for insurance payouts. It also benefits the patient since bundling reduces the confusion from complex pricing and billing systems.  

Using an unbundled price structure may have the additional advantage of minimizing tax liability. In the bundled model, if the charge appears to be primarily for the device rather than the services, taxes may be required on the entire amount. This could result in an extra charge for consumers as the taxes are passed on to them. In contrast, the unbundled model may help reduce the tax burden by separating the charges for services and devices. As a result, consumers may benefit from lower overall costs due to reduced taxes. 

Nonetheless, bundling is still the prevalent pricing structure. And although beneficial, switching to an unbundled model will take time – to be specific, 6-12 months.  

Financial Performance Tracking and Analysis

Tracking revenue allows you to assess the financial performance of your practice accurately. It enables you to identify trends, understand the sources of revenue generation, and take proactive steps to maximize revenue streams. Similarly, monitoring expenses helps you identify areas where cost-saving measures can be implemented, ultimately increasing profitability. 

However, relying on multiple spreadsheets to gather data can delay decision-making. To make timely and well-informed business decisions, you must have access to actionable insights that can be generated or viewed as needed. That way, you can analyze the data promptly.   

Financial analysis tools offer various features, such as financial dashboards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and visual representations of trends. Leveraging such tools saves time and helps you make data-driven decisions efficiently. PracticeERP, besides automating your workflows, provides real-time data and insights on your finances and sales pipeline. Plus, you can customize how you view the data – by company, office, department, or other unique categories.  

Tax Planning and Compliance

Tax planning and compliance may not be the most exciting aspect of running an audiology practice. Still, it’s undoubtedly one of the most crucial. Understanding your tax obligations is the first step in ensuring you stay on the right side of the law while maximizing your financial benefits. Depending on your location and business structure, your tax liabilities, available credits, and deductions can vary. 

Putting this all on you can get quite overwhelming. So here are some tips for hurdling tax planning and compliance from MBE CPAs’ Partner Frank Vinopal, who specializes in the audiology industry: 

1. Seek Expert Guidance:

A qualified tax advisor understands the tax code’s complexities, identifies deductions, and develops strategies to maximize your financial benefit. 

2. Maximize Deductions and Tax Credits:

Explore every avenue to reduce your taxable income from business expenses to home office costs and depreciation. Don’t leave money on the table! Furthermore, be on the lookout for tax credits that are available to you and your practice. Healthcare tax credits and the research and development tax credit may apply to the costs associated with developing new audiology products, services, or processes.   

3. Invest in Your Future:

Investing in your future is another important aspect of tax planning. By contributing to a retirement plan, such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA, you not only save for your golden years but also lower your current tax burden.

4. Stay Informed:

Tax laws are fluid. Regularly update your knowledge of the latest regulations and changes to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties. This can be as simple as regularly reading reputable sources or attending seminars on tax-related topics. You can proactively adjust your tax planning strategies to align with any new requirements by staying informed. 

What’s Next: Financial Planning for Growth and Expansion

Prioritizing sound financial considerations is paramount to successfully opening an audiology practice. From meticulously analyzing your start-up costs and exploring funding options to strategically pricing your services and tracking financial performance, each step plays a crucial role in the sustainability and growth of your practice. You can streamline your financial processes and maintain regulatory compliance by working with specialized accountants, leveraging technology solutions such as PracticeERP, and seeking expert tax guidance. By focusing on these financial aspects, you can establish a strong foundation for your practice and drive profitability in the long run.  

Now, it’s time to shift your focus to planning for the future. This includes developing a comprehensive plan for long-term growth and success, which involves effective strategies for reinvesting profits, securing additional funding when needed, or expanding to multiple locations. With a solid financial plan in place, you can confidently make decisions for the future of your practice. Whether this means increasing your revenue, reducing expenses, or investing in new technology and services, strategic financial planning can help you reach these milestones. 

At MBE CPAs, we have a team of accounting and tax professionals who specialize in audiology and other healthcare practices. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out our audiology page to see how we can help support your practice!