Healthcare Practice Formation & Expansion

1.  Entity Type: The first step is to determine what type of entity is best for your practice: partnership, C or S corporation, or limited liability corporation. Before determining which type of entity, you will need to consider tax, liability, number of shares, sale of ownership, retirement plans, how the business will be controlled, and whether the business is owned by another business. Our attorneys will discuss the pros and cons of each and help you determine the best entity type for your practice.

2. Due Diligence: If you are buying a practice, you must make sure that the investment is appropriately valued. Our attorneys will perform healthcare-specific due diligence to ensure you are not taking on unnecessary risk or liability by purchasing the healthcare business.

3. Shareholder Agreements: Next, we will prepare your shareholder agreement and stock certificates. The shareholder agreement is a contract between shareholders that sets out their rights and duties. It contains rules regarding shareholder voting power; how disputes between shareholders will be resolved; shareholders rights to participate on the board of directors; and how amendments to the agreement can be made. Shareholder agreements occasionally are used to determine operations, in lieu of bylaws. This is generally done with closely held corporations.

4. Buy-Sell Agreements: The buy-sell agreement sets out the rights of shareholders regarding sale of shares in the event a shareholder retires, becomes disabled, can no longer practice, dies, or simply wishes to sell their shares.

5. Incorporate: We will prepare and file the articles of incorporation, which will contain information about officers, the board of directors, issuance and distribution of shares, distribution of dividends, resident agent, location and how amendments are made. If the business is a nonprofit, there are additional requirements. The articles of incorporation will be prepared together with the bylaws (see item 7) to ensure the business has proper planning regarding shares, control, and management.

6. Operating Agreements:  A business operating agreement will be prepared, outlining the financial and functional decisions including rules, regulations, and provisions that will govern the internal operations of the business.

7. Bylaws: For corporations, we will prepare the bylaws. Bylaws, which are required by law in most states, set out rules regarding the board of directors, who are responsible for the daily operation of the practice. Therefore, bylaws must be carefully crafted as they control the organization of the board of directors and give directors the power to make decisions regarding the operation of the practice. Our attorneys will discuss your control and decision-making preferences, and will craft the practice’s bylaws to meet your desired preferences.

8. Partnership Agreements: For LLCs, we will prepare a partnership agreement, which will determine the daily operations of the practice, as well as the rights and duties of members. The agreement contains rules regarding decision-making powers, dispute resolution, distributions to members, transfer of membership interest, capital contribution of members, and dissolution, among other matters. Because LLCs are generally managed by the owners, the rules governing ownership and management are generally contained in one document, the partnership agreement; whereas corporations have shareholder agreements, buy-sell agreements and bylaws.

9. Stock Certificates: Next, our attorneys will prepare stock certificates for shareholders of corporations.

10. Obtain Tax ID and NPI: Lastly, our attorneys will help the business obtain a tax identification number (TIN) and national provider number (NPI) for the group. Once you obtain your TIN and NPI, you may begin the contracting process (see payor contracting.)

11. Insurance Credentialing: Your practice isn’t going to make any revenue unless it’s properly credentialed by insurance companies. We will walk you through every step in the process.

12. DEA, OIG and State Regulatory Board Compliance: Whether your business is a home health care company, pharmacy, group practice or an urgent care, you must make sure you are completely compliant with DEA regulations, CMS regulations, and your state’s facilities regulations. We can inspect your facilities and train your staff in order to be completely compliant with the myriad of regulations in the healthcare sector.

13. Real Estate Purchases: If your practice is purchasing real estate, our attorneys can help owners set up a separate LLC or trust to purchase the real estate.