Dr. Margolies,

     I am writing you this e-mail to ask you your
opinion on a few matters.  First of all, I just graduated in 
March, and as well ,
just passed the Florida boards. My wife and I are both
chiropractors and will be opening shop together in
Florida. Now, my question is, when I go to get my Tax
ID #, (EIN?), is it best to do it as a partnership, or
chose one of us to be sole proprietor for tax
purposes? And the other is, We have been speaking with
this other chiropractor, and she has been a God send. 
We think it is a great situation, but I wanted to run
some numbers by you to get your thoughts on the
matter.
  First of all, she owns the entire free standing
building.  One side is her, and the other is a
dentist.  Right now the dentist is still in there, but
in a couple of months he is leaving and she wants to
make the building into one big office for all three of
us.  As of right now, she wants my wife to be able to
go in on the hours she is not there, and begin our own
separate and distinct practice. The lady only
practices 3 hours per day M-F, so we will have plenty
of time to do our thing.  She is going to let us
utilize all aspects of the office except her phone
line and her CA.  We can use her X-Ray machine ,
tables, etc..., and she wants to charge us $500 per
month until we get rolling.  The first month we will
have to pay 1500, for 1st and last also.  The 2nd and
3rd month will be $500. Then it will be $1000 per
month up to 20pts per week, then $1500/mo 20+
pts/wk,then it peaks at $2000/mo once we hit 40pts/wk.
 Now she isn't going to be a stickler for these
numbers, just a ball park.she is being really sweet to
us.  I would have to say the office isn't too big, but
it has a nice waiting area, one room for children's
adjusting, and 2 other adjusting rooms. She has an
X-ray room as well. The great thing is , is that she
was just voted best small business in the last
year, she's been in the same location for over 20
years, and belongs to a lot of organizations.  She is
also on every insurance plan you can imagine, hmo too.


    I'm looking forward to your response and eagerly
await any input you may have to offer.  One more thing
, what do you think of the idea of offerin to go to
the police stations and offerin to adjust theem at a
reduced rate on site.  I thought that while we were
waiting to be able to get into the office, that I
could go to them.  Maybe go at 8 am(when on shift ends
and the other begins) and as well at 4pm for the same
reasons. I say this because my father was  a cop in
N.J. for 30yrs and I want to be able to help the
officers stay healthier and reduce their stress.  Do
you have any suggestions on this issue as well?  I'm
sorry this is so long, but I have soo many ideas right
now. My mind is going 100mph in all directions.  It is
such a great feeling knowing we are so close to
getting things rolling.  Thank you for your time, I
know you are quite busy.  Hopefully my future
corespondence will not be so lengthy.

Again, I look forward to your response.

 A:

Thanks for the e-mail. You have a number of issues within 
your e-
mail. First .. being in someone's office is like being in 
someone's 
kitchen .. often it is difficult to have two cooks in the 
same place .. 
in this case three. There is no problem working as an IC in 
someone's 
office .. which is what you are doing and paying rent. 
Remember that 
20 visits a week are only seven patients if they come three 
times a 
week. I would negotiate the figures as you begin to grow .. 
nonetheless .. if you do well the worse you pay is $2000 a 
month .. 
which is a normal rent in a decent place. 

If she is in these HMO or managed care plans it doesn't mean 
you can 
care for her patients or even adjust them for a fee. Often 
there are 
restrictions on who is and isn't in network unless there is a 
rider 
for the office rether than the doctor's name. Here in Atlanta 
thethe 
HMO's won't even talk to you without two years experince. 
Check this 
out.

Most important .. even if she was sent from God himself .. 
have a 
signed agreement/contract concerning any arrangements .. this 
is 
paramount .. freinds become enemies as it relates to 
business. For 
instance  .. you and your wife do very well a full week and 
your 
office numbers exceed her's .. this may bring distruct and 
whatever .. 
that's when papers have to be ready. I would counsel with an 
attorney for this information after discussing this with the 
doctor. 
Be aware that she also may be aware of this and therefore 
wish to 
have contracts signed .. this is quite normal. Once emotions 
get in 
the way and rash decisions are made trouble follows.

As far as the ID# .. you must seek the advice of an 
accountant. You 
are no longer students and there are many creative deductions 
and 
the question you asked me should go through them. If you 
don't 
incorporate .. and this advice is 50/50 .. you may both need 
a tax ID 
number although insurance can get by with your ss#.

As far as the police .. be patient. It is difficult to make a 
first 
impression a second time. being too eager and aggressive even 
for 
great reason if not handled correctly may fly in your face. I 
would 
discuss ergonomic and stress management classes with your 
community ...what I call the Community Wellness Program .. 
and this 
starts today. Dr. Pete Fernandez .. I teach at his seminars 
.. he has a 
great Practice Starters Program and makes each of his clients 
survey 3000 community people prior to opening up or right 
from the 
beginning. I have to run now but be sure to peek into my 
webpage: 
http://www.mindspring.com/~chirosmart and review some of the 
Cyberconsulting questions as well as Practice Tips .. chock 
full of 
good ideas. Also .. purchase my Smart Start Book it'll be a 
reference 
for years.