We began by gaining strong legal opinions of our program in February of 2004. We were advised by two separate top healthcare attorneys that we didn't need them as what we do has been done in healthcare for years. As of June 2011 we have completed hundreds of contracts in 48 states without a single denial, challenge or legal issue. The physician is the provider and we have no Stark or kickback implications. We are not recreating the wheel but rather using the same mechanisms that have been in place for years. It is HOW we use the structure that is innovative.

Let’s Talk About References, Intellectual Property & Privacy -
In the beginning we posted our legal, physician and PT references on their letterhead. Soon after all parties were inundated with phone calls and asked to be removed from the list identifying them. They said they felt uncomfortable telling others the details of their business strategies. Others felt like they were being interrogated, and some told us they felt the calls were only meant to gain as much information as possible. Sure enough we found some of these very people offering a vaguely similar program under their name without us. Our attorneys said STOP this access so we did.

Our business model and services are based on highly evolved intellectual property and therefore all parties have signed privacy agreements. You will not be able to speak with any participants. We have and continue to spend a small fortune on legal fees to keep us on track and to protect us from unauthorized use of our information and techniques. Different proposed scenarios have produced many variations of our base model. Because of this, the persons you want to talk to as your “reference” are MD/PT Partners Co-Founders, Doug Sparks and Sam Fontenot, PT, as they have been personally involved in every single transaction. They will tell you every single good thing and every single bad thing they have seen. Ultimately YOU are your own best reference. If the contract is not working for you then simply stop sending patients. Though you may not use our model without us, you are not required to use us at all.

From the Physicians  -
* “I’m tired of referring all of this business out to the market and not getting anything for it. My colleagues feel the same way. Can you help us?” Director of Rehab at a major Houston area hospital.

* As B.M., MD says, “My contract for therapy services has allowed me a better continuity of care for my patients, as well as an effortless profit center. MD/PT Partners is a professional organization that stays on top of every detail so I don’t have to. I could’t be happier with the service.” 

* My orthopedic group has been in partnership with MD/PT Partners since 2007. Our patients are seen at their facility, and have been accommodated in every way in regards to the flexible scheduling hours and the convenient location. We have no complaints whatsoever from our patients, and feel they have received excellent physical therapy care from Sam Fontenot and his professional staff.

* Our business partnership with MD/PT Partners has run smoothly, with excellent communication regarding scheduling, pre-authorizations, patient progress and billing. It has proved to be a definite positive for our patients and our staff.

*“Before deciding to work with Sam, Doug and their company, MD/PT Partners, we thoroughly investigated all possible avenues to begin our own clinic. Still, with our diligence we were unsure if the arrangement would work smoothly. Individually, and as a group we’ve been very pleased with the services provided us with a minimal involvement of our time and resources. They have streamlined a rather complicated system into concise procedures that make it easy to track our progress on a daily basis, and they work well with our staff and existing procedures. I would encourage any physician to consider their potential through discussions with Sam or Doug.”
Dr. Earl F Martin MD
Dr. Earl E Martin DO
Dr. Jason DeMattia MD
Dr. Candice DeMattia MD

More From the PTs -
* I was first introduced to Doug Sparks last year by my friend and colleague Tom Baker, P.T. and he mentioned that I should check out APTC. I went to the website and my impression was "been there, done that". Tom was insistent that Doug's approach was different and much more effective than the practice management courses we both have taken in the past that were taught by PT's. I was hesitant at first with Doug not being a PT but decided to join APTC nonetheless. Besides, what did I have to lose? The tuition in exchange for unlimited telephone conferences and email communiques'?

Working with Doug over the past several months has been illuminating. He keeps his word and it is true about the kind of support he offers. Unlimited access to his wealth of knowledge and experience via phone or email. With Doug not being a clinician and with his Wall Street experience, this has proved even more beneficial by not being confined to a clinician mentality.

Using Doug's APTC efficiency models, my practice has started to turn the corner from just surviving to actually turning a profit in a few short months. The story does not end here.

When my partner and I were first introduced to the MDPT Partner concept, we were not enthusiastic. In fact, we were opposed to such an arrangement. Over time and after doing our due diligence, we began to see this as an opportunity to bring back the level of success we once enjoyed without compromising our integrity. We discovered that this relationship was in fact moral and ethical. Having a strong legal opinion in support of this concept solidified our decision to join MDPT Partners. 

In April of 2009 we signed our first contract with a family practice physician. Based on the timeline of previous contracts across the country, we were anticipating 5 NP's the first week. In fact , this MD had previously promised 5-6 NP's/week. As we prepared to open our doors in the ensuing weeks, this physician said he would have 30 NP's the first week. At first we could not believe his projections and we felt he was being overly optimistic. Well, his projections were accurate and when we opened our doors on May 6th we were faced with over 30 NP's. In fact, we saw 188 patient visits from this contract alone in the last three weeks of May!

We look forward to adding a few more contracts for the rest of the year and no doubt we anticipate our most profitable year in what appears to be eons.

Hawaii MD/PT Partner

* I find Doug to be very upfront and honest, he's also always available and generous with his time. I found Doug online one night after being very frustrated with losing referrals to the POPs. I was looking for ways to compete and be a step ahead of the competition. I was toying with a similar idea when I realized that Doug had done just that. He's taken the time and money to find the legal grounding upon which to do this. It's a great way to mitigate the POPs and get your foot in the door with big referrers.

If this program is implemented correctly, it can improve your bottom line, and create much more awareness for your practice. When the MDs have skin in the game it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to their motivation to refer and in simple interactions with you.

I've never lost business offering this deal, in fact, even if they choose not to sign up, the fact that it was offered sets you apart from the competition and increased regular referrals

Overall, this is a great hedge against POPs and a great way to meet new docs. You'll be amazed at how differently they treat you once this is on the table, and that goes for the ones that do it, and the ones that don't. My advice to you is, study this system inside and out, learn all about it and be convinced of its potential before trying to sell it. The confidence in your voice and presentation goes a long way. I personally made presentations on bound paper with charts and the whole 9. They'll be impressed by your presentation and proposal. Always use the words like "passive income for you" and "no start up fees", and "it's legal and ethical".

Good luck!

M.R. – New Jersey

Here are some other things that our PT Licensees have had to say;

Doug
Things are going good. I am very, very busy in my clinic---second busiest week in 20 years was last week!!! And that was only 4 shy of the all time record. And that record was set 10 years ago! We have not been this busy in as many years and I owe it to our MD/PT Partners contract(s). We have received 25 referrals a month since June from our biggest contract. Our other contracts are doing well also; each is in its own stage of development. Our oldest contract (started in February) had its biggest collection month to date which was $20K. This is the clinic that started slow but took off with your guidance. Your system works and works great! Thanks! Ric

Ric Evans, PT, DPT, OCS, CEAS
San Antonio, Texas

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What turned the corner for me was that the Final Stark, which was supposed to rid the market of POPTS, actually made it easier. I have spent so long trying to stay inside the lines that I didn’t even notice that everyone else was using a different playbook.
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I’m MAD!! As a longtime APTA supporter I am mad at myself that we keep complaining about something that is not only legal but common practice. Like you say, “they call it Final Stark for a reason – it’s over”. We need to move on. You have clearly found a way to gain new opportunities while maintaining my own private practice.
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This is super good business that is a win for everybody...to say no to this or to table it is saying no to success. I'm ready to move to the next level, and I can't stop trying to plan too far ahead.
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I hear a lot of complaining about this subject but what you offer is a solution. Nobody else has a better option.
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I do believe you are the answer to my prayers. I have been waiting and hoping for a 'what's next' in my life....I do believe I have found it. This business you have created speaks right to my heart in ways I am amazed. I have always wanted to help private practices flourish, create more stable long term relationships with physicians, and also increase quality of services that I see sorely lacking in too many practices. Rewarding the good guys is very appealing. I have no sympathy for bad PT's as I have high standards in my 23 years as a PT. The more I think of this model, the more excited I am getting. It can fulfill my own financial needs and also not be chained to my practice, while also providing good PT's better income opportunities. Also it certainly doesn't hurt to know more doctors in case I ever need help myself!
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Doug - Knowing that you are personally the one that I will always be dealing with and the fact that you are the one who explains this to my prospective doctors, practice managers and lawyers, is priceless to me.
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I spent 24 years building my two practices in hopes to be able to sell them and retire. Six months ago I closed the second one and have been doing home health to pay the bills. Finally, after a devastating two years, your program has given me great hope that I can again be a productive private practice owner.
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The bottom line is that I got tired of staying awake half the night trying to figure out a way to save my practice and how I would break it to my wife if I had to close the doors. What would I do to support my family? I was very unhappy and scared. This program has proven to be my “fountain of youth” and put hope back in my life.
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I don’t know what shocked me more; how affordable your service is or how good you are at what you do. Thanks for both.
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I took your challenge and it worked. I signed up at 8 AM this morning and at 1 PM I dropped off my first five packages to my target physicians and mailed five more. Your follow up script is perfect so I will call back for a meeting in a few days. I’ll do my review and questions from the secure section of the website tonight. I really didn’t think I could be this productive in my first day. You were right in that my future is up to me. Thanks for your patience and guidance!
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My name is Bruce Forsyth. I've been in private practice physical therapy over the past 25 years. My father was the first private practice therapist in California in the early 60's. Needless to say things have changed greatly since those days when Dad could treat a patient with very few limitations. The market place is a horse of a different color making life for the private practicing therapist very difficult in most cases.

I have known Doug Sparks over the past 10 years. Doug's Experience in both the business and private practice worlds create a perfect blend for analyzing and troubleshooting the problems unique to the practice of PT. My practice has benefited greatly from his expertise. Doug was able to see small details that I just wasn't trained to see. Details which have made a great difference in my practice. I don't know if I'd still be in business today were it not for Doug’s influence and advice. I highly recommend Doug as a trusted advisor and mentor.