How ready are you, really?

01 / 8

Have you reviewed your employment contract with a healthcare attorney?

Non-compete scope, tail obligations, and patient-notification restrictions are buried in the fine print.

02 / 8

Do you know your valley — the cash-flow gap between your last paycheck and your first full payer payment?

Most clinicians underestimate this by 3–6 months. The valley is real, plannable, and financeable — once you know it.

03 / 8

Is your entity (PLLC or PC) formed and your EIN obtained?

Payers can't credentialize you without a legal entity. Medicare enrollment requires it.

04 / 8

Do you have a target go-date and confirmed notice period?

Missing your notice period is a contract breach. Your resignation date anchors your entire credentialing timeline.

05 / 8

Do you have a malpractice tail plan — or know whether your policy is claims-made or occurrence?

Claims-made policies require a tail premium (often 1.5–3× annual) when you leave. It's often the biggest surprise cost.

06 / 8

Have you started CAQH ProView and identified your target payer mix?

CAQH is the credential repository most commercial payers pull from. It must be complete and attested before applications start.

07 / 8

Do you have a practice location or telehealth setup in mind?

DEA registration and commercial payer applications require a physical address. Changing it later triggers re-credentialing.

08 / 8

Have you estimated your first 90 days of operating overhead?

Lease, EHR, malpractice, staff wages, and telecom all hit before your first claim is processed.