BH Practice Startup Checklist — Complete 2026 Guide
Phase 1: Legal + Business Setup (Weeks 1-4)
- Business entity formation (LLC or PC recommended for solo, PLLC for multi-provider)
- EIN from IRS
- State business license + registration
- Professional license verification (clinician + business)
- Malpractice insurance ($1M/$3M standard)
- General liability insurance
- NPI (National Provider Identifier) — Type 1 individual + Type 2 organization
Phase 2: Credentialing (Weeks 4-24)
- CAQH ProView profile complete
- Panel applications submitted (10-15 top panels)
- State Medicaid enrollment
- Medicare enrollment (if serving 65+)
- Insurance panel contracts negotiated + signed
Phase 3: Technology (Weeks 4-8)
- EHR selection (TherapyNotes, SimplePractice, CentralReach, AdvancedMD)
- Practice management software
- Billing service selected (in-house vs outsource)
- Payment processor (Stripe, Square)
- Telehealth platform (compliant, HIPAA-BAA)
- Phone system (HIPAA-compliant like RingCentral, OpenPhone)
- Fax service (SRFax, Doximity)
Phase 4: Compliance (Weeks 4-8)
- HIPAA policies + procedures document
- BAAs with all vendors (EHR, phone, fax, billing)
- Consent forms (initial, telehealth, minor treatment)
- ROI (Release of Information) forms
- Privacy policy + Notice of Privacy Practices
- Security risk assessment
Phase 5: Marketing (Weeks 8-12)
- Website launch
- Google Business Profile
- Psychology Today profile
- TherapyDen profile
- Insurance panel directory listings
- Referral relationships with PCPs
- Social media presence (LinkedIn + IG)
Phase 6: Operations (Weeks 8-12)
- Office space or telehealth-only decision
- Furniture + supplies (if physical space)
- Front desk / admin coverage
- Billing service onboarding
- Financial systems (accounting, tax)
Phase 7: First Patients (Weeks 12+)
- Insurance verification workflow
- Intake process + forms
- Session documentation templates
- Progress note review process
- Denial recovery process
Revenant Care can handle Phases 2 + 3 (billing) + 5 (SEO) · Pricing
– KD, Revenant Care