How to Pay an Associate for Invisalign
Introduction
● Brief introduction of Dr. Amanda from StraightSmile Solutions
● Overview of the topic: Paying associate dentists for Invisalign cases
Common Mistakes in Paying Associates
A. Improper Payment Methods
● Many owner doctors and practice owners pay associates incorrectly.
● Focusing on the payment method rather than just the amount is crucial.
● Creative payment solutions can improve practice efficiency and associate satisfaction.
B. Factors to Consider
● Lab fees: Associates should know the lab fees involved in Invisalign cases.
● Quality of treatment plans: Ensuring associates can properly plan treatment.
● Liability and insurance considerations: Understanding the risks and responsibilities involved.
Oversight and Accountability
A. Owner Doctor’s Responsibilities
● Owner doctors should review every treatment plan to ensure it’s appropriately planned.
● Poor treatment planning can lead to irreversible damage to patients.
B. Associate Classification
● Difference between W-2 and 1099 associates: Each classification has distinct responsibilities and financial implications.
● Ensuring associates understand their classification and responsibilities.
Payment Strategies for 1099 Associates
A. Full Lab Fee Payment
● 1099 associates should pay their own lab fees and manage their patients independently.
● This ensures that the patient follows them if they leave, maintaining continuity of care.
B. Benefits for Owner Doctors
● Advantages of higher volume through a single account.
● Eligibility for volume discounts.
● Simplified management with staff logins.
Payment Strategies for W-2 Associates
A. Partial Lab Fee Payment
● Depending on the practice’s policies, W-2 associates might pay up to 50% of lab fees.
● Production-based payment ensures associates are compensated based on the work done.
B. Deferred Payment
● Deferred payment strategy: Pay a portion at the start and the remainder upon treatment completion.
● Ensures associates are motivated to see cases through to a successful conclusion.
Ensuring Treatment Quality and Completion
A. Monitoring and Accountability
● Use a “Congratulations” form for patient and doctor sign-off at treatment completion.
● This ensures both parties agree on the treatment outcome and maintain accountability.
B. Motivating Associates
● Proper incentives encourage associates to plan treatments effectively and maintain patient compliance.
● Long-term benefits of high standards in treatment and patient care.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
A. Adherence to Laws
● Ensuring associates are classified correctly as either W-2 or 1099.
● Misclassification can lead to legal and financial repercussions.
B. Ethical Patient Care
● Prioritizing patient care and treatment continuity.
● Owner doctors must oversee and ensure the quality of associate work.
Long-Term Benefits of Structured Payments
● Encouraging quality treatment planning and patient compliance.
● Avoiding the burden of unfinished cases for owner doctors.
● An example scenario is an associate leaving before finishing cases.
Conclusion
A. Recap of Key Points
● Summary of correct payment methods, oversight, and legal considerations.
B. Final Thoughts
● Associate Motivation: Proper payment methods encourage associates to maintain high-quality treatment and compliance.
● Long-term Success: Invisalign treatments require consistent monitoring and accountability to ensure successful outcomes.
● Owner Responsibility: Proper oversight and payment structures prevent owner doctors from being burdened with poorly managed cases.
Dr. Amanda from StraightSmile Solutions insight aims to help practices optimize their payment strategies for associate dentists, ensuring quality patient care and financial efficiency