Setting up a health practice is quite different from setting up a sole proprietorship. Indeed, in addition to the diplomas, the approach and the respect of many rules.
According to the INSEE study, the number of medical practices in France has been gradually decreasing over the last 20 years. Personal practices are closing to the benefit of large medical companies with more than 10 employees. And for good reason, the process of creation is lighter for large health practices such as SARL or SAS. Nevertheless, this evolution of the sector should not be an obstacle for new doctors wishing to set up their own medical practice. And to help you in this procedure, we give you some useful advice.
Respecting the procedures for opening a medical practice
To begin your process, the opening of a new medical practice requires registration with the CFE (Centre de Formalités des Entreprises). You can carry out the registration formalities at different places (URSSAF, INSEE, RSI, tax authorities).
Afterwards, the following procedures must be carried out beforehand :
– The drafting of the articles of association.
– The registration of the company.
– The K-Bis extract
– In case of an application on the spot at the court registry: 2.96 euros.
– If sent by post: EUR 4,06.
– For online applications: 3.70 euros.
Choosing the right legal form for your medical company
The choice of legal status is a very important step in setting up your individual health practice. Indeed, the legal status allows both to foresee the development strategy of your company and at the same time to make your profits profitable as the taxes will mainly depend on this status.
The adoption of the law n°66-537 since 1966 offers the advantage to new doctors to opt for a liberal practice company or SEL. This is a regime specially created for the liberal professions, but inspired by “classic” legal statutes. Currently, the SEL has 4 sub-regimes:
- Société d’Exercice Libéral À Responsabilité Limitée (SELARL) (limited liability company)
- Société d’Exercice Libéral À Forme Anonyme (SELAFA) (Public Limited Company)
- Société d’Exercice Libéral par Actions Simplifiées (SELAS) (Simplified Joint Stock Company)
- Société d’Exercice Libéral en Commandite par Actions (SELCA) (Limited Partnership with Shares)
It should be noted that some professional practitioners such as occupational therapists or psychologists may occasionally choose the status of micro-enterprise for the creation of their medical practice.
On the other hand, it is important to note that legal status does not endorse your responsibilities as a physician. Therefore, a patient can always turn against you, individually, in case of a justified accusation.
Conducting market research in a doctor’s office
Of course, market research is a strategic step for any company. Individual companies in the medical sector are no exception to the rule if they want to hold a stable place in competition with large clinics.
The main objective of market research here is to make sure that the location requires the presence of your medical practice. Indeed, it is essential for the profitability of your business to determine that there is sufficient demand to amortize your investment.
To begin your study, it is essential that you look at the demographics of the population in the vicinity of the proposed location of your practice. You will therefore need to analyze the following elements to guide your project:
- the number of potential patients in the area
- The projection of demographic change over a 10-year period in the future
- Population stability over the last 10 years
- The presentation of the current age pyramid
- Birth and death rates
- The average income of the population
- The unemployment rate
This step will provide you with all the necessary data for your project. This data will allow you to have a margin of decision to your advantage.
After the demographic survey, you need to evaluate the medical sector operating in the same location. You must then identify all competing healthcare structures (hospitals, medical centres, etc.). Of course, it is not necessary to set up a new health practice in an area that is already saturated with medical infrastructure. Once all these elements are at your disposal, you can easily start your project or, in the case of an unfavourable result after the study, consider setting up your medical practice in another area.
