Independent practice resources

[ruralnurs]

I looked for info on the NP section but found nothing so thought I would post here. I am an FNP and recently graduated with post masters psych NP. I have a great job that allows me two 5 day stretches off in a row each month. I am thinking of starting a very small independent practice open just 1-3 days per month. I mostly want to do it because I was working outpatient women's health in my community and many women are sad that I am gone. I have found a place I can afford. I don't believe I would hire anyone to help. I can do my own nurse stuff and appointments would be easy to make. I would specialize in women health, both physical and mental.

However, I don't want to bill insurance. There is a program in my state called the Breast and Cervical Health program that pays for low income women to have free annual exams with PAPs and a mammogram. I can easily get on their providers list to accept these women.

For other woman (not on that program) I want to be able to see women and give them a bill that they can send in while getting paid up front. I know there are more and more health care providers that don't bill insurance so know this is a possibility. I just can't find any info on how this is done (so the patient can bill their own insurance) such as do I just give them a receipt, do they need a copy of the medical note? I just think that billing insurance is a big pain and they often take up to 2 months to pay. I don't need to support myself, I am mostly doing it by request of my patients and I really enjoy this kind of medicine. My new job has me working in a hospital, also very rewarding but in a different way.

In my state I can do this (need no physician collaboration) and can write scripts for any medication. I do have an NPI number as well as DEA, ect. I will also look into and get malpractice ins.

Everything I find about NPs independently discuss a big private practice and discuss billing and coding etc. and I don't want that. I want small and pay for service type info. Any thoughts, ideas, resources, places I can get more info about NPs independent practice? I thought that nurse in entrepreneurial care may have some ideas. Thanks!