Why I Transitioned from Long-Term Care to Private Practice
My Journey to Healthcare Entrepreneurship
After nearly nine years working in as a registered dietitian in a retirement community in Northern Virginia, I made the exciting decision to transition into private practice. Recently, I took the leap and started working full-time on my own business, driven by the desire to expand my impact and help more people. In this blog, I’ll share my journey from long-term care to becoming a private practice owner, highlighting key steps, challenges, and the benefits of this career transition.
Why I Chose to Leave Long-Term Care for Private Practice
Working in a retirement community provided valuable experience, but I began to feel limited in my ability to make a meaningful difference. I wanted to offer personalized, flexible care and reach a broader client base. This motivated me to start my own private practice, focusing on medical nutrition therapy and behavior change counseling.
Starting My Private Practice: Steps and Challenges
1. Business Formation and Branding
About a year ago, I took initial steps to establish my private practice, including:
Forming a LLC
Opening a business bank account
Developing a professional website
Setting rates for services
At first, I offered self-pay options for clients, which allowed me to begin serving clients immediately and build my reputation.
2. Becoming In-Network with Insurance Providers
To make my services more accessible, I decided to accept insurance. The process involved:
Completing the CAQH application—like college admissions, where I shared my professional background and authorized insurance companies to review my profile.
Becoming in-network with major insurers like United Healthcare, Cigna, CareFirst, and Aetna within a few months—an achievement I was proud of.
Navigating the Medicare application process, which was complex due to regional contract differences in Northern Virginia, but ultimately resulted in in-network status with Medicare.
3. Navigating Insurance Claims and Billing
In February, I focused on handling insurance claims, learning about clearinghouses—platforms for submitting claims—and setting up Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) to receive payments electronically instead of checks. By March, I was successfully conducting medical nutrition therapy sessions covered by insurance and I started to receive payments in April.
Achieving Work-Life Balance and Professional Fulfillment
Balancing a growing private practice with new motherhood was challenging but rewarding. I took a brief pause when my second baby arrived but resumed my sessions in May (a few weeks after my second child was born). I found immense satisfaction in:
Helping clients identify food triggers
Supporting weight management goals
Improving blood sugar levels
Promoting overall health and well-being
The Decision: Returning to Long-Term Care or Going Full-Time with Private Practice
At eight weeks postpartum, I realized that private practice offered the work-life balance I had always desired. The flexibility to set my own schedule and focus on client outcomes was incredibly fulfilling. While entrepreneurship comes with its difficulties, I find the personal and professional rewards outweigh the challenges.
Why I Love Running My Private Practice
Flexibility to balance family and work
Personalized care for clients seeking health improvements
Opportunities to grow professionally and expand services
Making a real difference in people's lives through behavior change coaching and medical nutrition therapy
Interested in starting your own healthcare practice or transitioning to private practice? Feel free to reach out for tips and resources on how to navigate insurance panels, billing, and building a successful healthcare business.
