As a fast-paced and highly regulated industry, operating a healthcare business isn’t for the faint of heart. Behind-the-scenes management challenges are many – constantly changing labor laws, market pressures, and rising insurance and benefits costs for employees – in addition to ensuring that patient care is top-notch, and staff caseloads are full.
Recruiting, onboarding and retaining top talent in the healthcare sector poses significant challenges in today’s market. Add to that the daily intricacies of managing payroll, workers’ compensation claims processing and regulatory compliance, and it’s easy to see how the administrative burden can become overwhelming.
Many franchises and healthcare companies decide to work with a PEO to help streamline back-office accounting and HR functions. This simplifies the demands on an office manager or administrator’s daily workflow. Especially for healthcare businesses aiming to grow and scale, partnering with a professional employer organization (PEO) like Integrity Employee Leasing can lay the groundwork for success.
How Healthcare Companies Benefit from PEO Partnerships
For American Family Care (AFC), working with the experts at Integrity Employee Leasing definitely turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. A leading provider of urgent care centers in Florida, AFC offers accessible primary care, lab testing, physicals, x-ray services and more.
With a strong franchise arm, the company’s mission is to provide affordable healthcare in a kind and caring environment that respects the rights of all patients. Its efficient business model and in-demand services make AFC a great fit for communities across the U.S. Franchise owners have opened up more than 300 urgent care centers since the company started in 1982!
As a result, a partnership with Integrity Employee Leasing just made sense for AFC. “Integrity is the most comprehensive PEO that I have ever worked with. I’m extremely happy with all services that we have with Integrity… They are invaluable,” explained Stephanie Gregor, director of operations at AFC.
According to the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO), businesses that partner with PEOs grow 7-9% faster, have 10-14% lower employee turnover, and are 50% less likely to go out of business. For healthcare companies, these benefits can be a game-changer.
Integrity offers a comprehensive suite of PEO services that include payroll, workers’ compensation, HR and workforce management, benefits administration, 401(k) plans, credit card reconciliation and more. As AFC franchise owners plan to launch new urgent care centers, the company recommends they bring Integrity Employee Leasing onboard to save time and minimize costs associated with these duties.
When a business partners with a PEO, they enter into a co-employment agreement. The PEO assumes responsibility for the company’s workforce, “leasing” the employees from the organization. Meanwhile, the company’s existing leadership team continues to guide decision making and strategic growth. A client service agreement (CSA) typically outlines which functions will be outsourced.
At the same time, the PEO assumes the responsibility and burden of ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Not only does this eliminate the risks and penalties associated with non-compliance, but it also leaves key decision makers free to focus on whatever requires their time and attention – with confidence that the paperwork will be handled by professionals.
Did you know certain health insurance plans will not cover smaller medical practices due to the age, gender or overall health status of its employees? Working with Integrity allows healthcare companies to offer exceptional employee benefits, increasing the likelihood that they will be able to attract the best and brightest to care for their patients.
How? Because Integrity manages many leased employees across many organizations, it has significant negotiating power when it comes to securing the best rates for employee benefits, business insurance and more. A small medical practice that might otherwise not be covered can gain access to plans typically only a Fortune 500 company might use!
The same economies of scale hold true for purchasing large group plans for workers’ compensation insurance, as well as for retirement plans. In fact, Integrity recently started offering new clients a FREE 401(k) plan for employees, if the company does not yet have a plan in place.
PEOs Empower Healthcare Companies to Thrive
According to NAPEO, businesses that partner with PEOs see a return on investment of 27.2% annually. For healthcare companies, this can translate into significant cost savings, allowing them to reinvest in their business and provide even better care to patients.
With an established, professional company like Integrity, onboarding is quick and painless, which makes it easy to get immediate administrative relief. That’s because Integrity understands the importance of freeing healthcare providers to focus on what they do best—delivering exceptional patient care. The goal is to empower midsize healthcare organizations to thrive by providing experience and expertise that can streamline operations, reduce costs and improve overall efficiency.
But even as a large PEO with national reach, Integrity treats each client like the only client – with a warm welcome and personalized attention. “Their personalization, their professionalism and thoroughness… Their personal touches set them apart from the others,” said Stephanie. “I would absolutely refer Integrity to any company looking for a PEO.”
Integrity’s company-wide commitment to serving clients with integrity and respect results in each company receiving a dedicated account representative. This individual will not only keep you informed as Integrity’s experts provide ongoing services, but also remain responsive and available to provide effective solutions to whatever may arise. Because when your back-office functions smoothly and efficiently, it becomes that much easier for your staff to deliver compassionate, person-centered care for patients.
If you’re ready to take your healthcare business to the next level, call Integrity Employee Leasing at 941.625.0623 to schedule a consultation and explore the advantages of a PEO partnership.
