Starting your own DPC practice can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be!
If you know you'd regret not trying, at least go through these first few steps. It shouldn't cost more than a couple hundred dollars, and you'll have a great foundation for setting up whatever clinic or business you'd like to start!
1. Brainstorm your business name
First, brainstorm the name of your business / clinic / practice. This is exciting, and you want to get excited about something in the beginning.
Pro tip: you can always change your business name in the future, or operate under a "dba" (doing business as) or trade name (they're the same thing). So don't get hung up on this step!
For a more in-depth look at naming your business, read Naming Your Clinic: A Practical Guide for DPC physicians.
2. Check that the name is available
After you've narrowed names down to a few that you like, do a little research to make sure you're not infringing on other people's names.
- First, check the US Patent and Trademark Office for any trademarks with that same name. Note that not all trademarks are the "name" of the business — often it's the design of the logo or the "word mark."
- Next, check your state's registered businesses (often through the Secretary of State) to make sure nobody else has the name of your business.
Hint: it's OK to be close to another business's name (it's likely you will be). You can use an official business name that ends with "healthcare" or "clinic" or "practice" and the associated business structure at the end — "PLLC," "LLC," "Corp" — and then register a "dba" (doing business as, or trade name) that's closer to what you want to actually be called.
Tip: consider registering your website and any other nicknames as DBAs / trade names. It should be inexpensive (~$5 per name) and will help with random things like people writing checks to your nickname instead of your official name.
3. Decide on your business structure
Once you've decided your name, make sure you know what business structure you'll be operating as. This doesn't affect your actual business function, but it will determine your legal liabilities and tax structure.
Hint: it's likely going to be a PLLC. If your state doesn't have a PLLC option, then LLC is the most likely.
4. Purchase a domain name
Purchase a domain name for your business (thisisadomainname.com).
If you've purchased domain names in the past, use your same domain name provider. If not, we recommend:
As for the extension: .com is best, .org is good, .net is OK, and .health is becoming a little more recognized — HOWEVER, I have seen some companies block emails coming from .health domains. So if you purchase a .health domain, consider purchasing a second .com / .org / .net domain for emails. Any other TLD (top-level domain) may just confuse patients (.rocks, .xyz, .me, .co, etc.).
Domain names are cheap ($12–30 per year), so we recommend purchasing before registering your business, just to make sure you have the domain name you like that matches your business name (tip: it doesn't have to be exact).
5. Register your business with the state
Register your business with the Secretary of State (or similar for your state).
Note: this may take a few weeks to get your formation / articles of incorporation documents, and it's worth waiting for these before moving on with any of the steps below. Some of them require these documents and others don't, but it would be nice to be sure your business name is good-to-go with the state.
6. Register with the Department of Revenue
If necessary, register your business with the Department of Revenue (or similar) — usually in order to operate in your city / county. This is getting your business "licensed" to operate in your geographic area. Most require this, but some do not.
7. Obtain an EIN
Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number), sometimes called a "FEIN" (Federal Employer Identification Number). Do not pay someone to get this for you — it's free through the IRS website and easy to obtain.
Follow these instructions on the IRS website. You will need your business's state identification number (from the previous step - may take a couple weeks) and your personal social security number, and you'll have an EIN immediately after filling out the application.
8. Open a business bank account
Open a separate bank account under your business name. You'll need your state's formation documents, plus your EIN.
8a. *Optional while opening your business bank account: open a business credit card
Open a credit card that's attached to your business, to utilize rewards and for purchasing safety online. We don't recommend using credit cards as loan instruments.
You're off to the races
Now you're off to the races! There's obviously lots of tasks to complete from here, but they'll happen a little more haphazardly — and maybe a bit all at the same time.
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