> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.practiceownersguide.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Checklists

> Condensed, printable versions of the guides — practice launch, acquisition banking, bank switch, and monthly financial hygiene. Each links back to its full recipe.

Condensed, printable versions of the guides. Each links back to its full recipe.

## Practice launch checklist

*Full guide: [Launching your practice 101](/start-here/01-launching-your-practice-101)*

**Foundation (months 1–2)**

* [ ] Healthcare attorney and practice-experienced CPA engaged
* [ ] Entity formed (correct professional form for the state), buy-sell if co-owned
* [ ] Tax election filed (Form 2553 if S corp)
* [ ] EIN issued · Type 2 NPI issued · CMS I\&A account created
* [ ] Bank accounts opened (operating / tax / savings) under the EIN
* [ ] Loan term sheets compared (≥2), loan closed, draw schedule set

**Credentialing (start month 2, longest lead time)**

* [ ] CAQH profile complete and attested; payers authorized
* [ ] Commercial payer applications submitted (track per payer: credentialed → contracted → enrolled)
* [ ] Medicare 855 series via PECOS + CMS-588 EFT; Medicaid per state
* [ ] Fee schedules received and filed for top 20 codes per payer

**Build (months 3–8)**

* [ ] Lease signed (healthcare attorney reviewed TI allowance, exclusivity, assignment)
* [ ] Build-out and equipment on draw schedule
* [ ] EHR/PM selected against the [money-side criteria](/guides/choose-your-ehr); implementation scheduled
* [ ] Payroll, benefits, malpractice, business insurance in place

**Pre-open (months 8–10)**

* [ ] [EFT + ERA enrolled per payer](/guides/enroll-eft-era); VCC declined in favor of ACH
* [ ] Test claims run through the full cycle per top payer (submit → 835 → deposit → reconcile)
* [ ] Mail/check intake decided (lockbox or controlled alternative)
* [ ] Access controls: role-based banking access, approval thresholds, dual control

## Acquisition banking checklist

*Full guide: [Buy a practice](/guides/buy-a-practice)*

**C-60 to C-30:** entity + EIN + Type 2 NPI done · accounts opened · credentialing in flight with every payer on the target's remittance-derived list · loan draw mechanics confirmed

**C-14 to C-1:** payroll configured and test-run · EFT changes submitted, effective dates straddling close · seller straddle-period agreement signed (who sweeps strays, schedule, reporting) · outflow cut-over list staged

**C to C+90:** every payer tracked to *verified deposit* · both accounts reconciled deposit-side from day one · credit balances/refunds resolved per agreement · C+90 close-out review, seller account closed

## Bank-switch checklist

*Full guide: [Switch banks](/guides/switch-banks)*

* [ ] 12-month deposit map built (payers by dollars, aggregators identified by descriptor)
* [ ] Outflow map built (payroll, taxes, loans, autopays, processor settlement)
* [ ] New accounts opened; enrollment packet assembled
* [ ] Payer re-enrollments submitted top-down by dollars, batched by portal ([directory](/reference/payer-enrollment-directory))
* [ ] Medicare CMS-588 refiled via PECOS
* [ ] Each payer tracked: submitted → accepted → **verified in new account**
* [ ] Payroll cut over after one validated cycle; taxes, loans, vendors follow
* [ ] Old account monitored to zero deposits for 2–3 weeks → swept → closed; final statements archived

## Monthly financial hygiene checklist

*Concepts: [Reconciliation](/concepts/reconciliation), [denial codes](/concepts/carc-rarc-denial-codes), [refunds](/guides/send-patient-refunds)*

* [ ] Every payer deposit matched to a remittance; every remittance to a deposit; exception list worked to explainable
* [ ] Denial summary by CARC reviewed; top 3 causes assigned owners
* [ ] Credit-balance report worked; refunds issued and logged
* [ ] Tax reserve transfer made at the CPA's percentage
* [ ] Recoupment/audit correspondence reviewed against PLB activity
* [ ] CAQH attestation current; any practice changes propagated to payers