The Cash-Based Practice Podcast

Most Cash-Based practice owners don't fail because they lack effort. They fail because their effort is scattered. They're busy all year. They're solving problems constantly. They're reacting instead of directing. And when December rolls around, they realize they worked hard… but didn't intentionally build the business they actually want. This episode is about fixing that. Not with a complicated planning system. Not with endless spreadsheets. But with a clear, executable strategic plan that keeps you focused on exactly what matters—and guides you step-by-step to accomplishing your goals If you didn't catch last week's episode on The Year-End Review Process That Actually Grows Your Cash-Based Practice and extract the insights that actually matter, you may want to start here—because this strategic planning process builds directly on that foundation. What You'll Learn in This Episode The three questions that expose where growth is actually being blocked How to set targets your current team can realistically hit (or know what changes are necessary to get there) Why most strategic plans fail within the first quarter How to turn planning into execution and results, rather than a waste of time USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

As a new year begins, most practice owners feel like they should  "plan better" than they did last year. But here's the problem: Most annual reviews are so complex that they never actually get finished and often focus on things that don't really move the needle for a cash-based or mostly OON practice. In this episode, I walk through a practical, real-world approach to reviewing your year and designing the next one — without chasing someone else's version of success or spending time/resources on things that don't make a big impact. This isn't about arbitrary benchmarks or grinding harder… It's about building a Cash-Based Practice that supports your life, priorities, and definition of success. What You'll Learn in This Episode Which KPIs actually matter in a cash-based model How to evaluate revenue, expenses, and growth honestly Why "good revenue" can still hide serious problems How to turn a year-end review into a clear plan for the year ahead USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

As the year winds down, most practice owners feel the pull to "look back" and "plan ahead." But too often, that process turns into either a surface-level glance at revenue—or an overwhelming spiral of things you should have done better. That's not helpful. And it's not how you build a practice that actually supports the life you want. In this week's episode, I walk through a more grounded, intentional way to review the past year and plan the next one—starting with a question most business owners skip entirely: What does success actually mean to you? Because if you don't define that first, you're shooting in the dark, and your KPI's and goals could be leading you in the wrong direction. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why success must be defined before reviewing any numbers How to review the past year without burnout or self-judgment Which key performance indicators actually matter in a cash-based model How to use a SWOT analysis in a practical, non-overwhelming way How to turn insights into a realistic plan for the year ahead USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind  

A lot of Cash-Pay practices are doing something very smart right now. They're using entry-point services to get new customers in the door… things like specialty services and modalities (like shockwave therapy, red light sauna, etc), performance-based training, etc. And it works… Ads convert. Promotions fill schedules. New Patients and Revenue comes in. But here's the problem I keep seeing in most practices doing this … They struggle to get these new customers to say 'yes' to everything else that could benefit them. For example: pretty much everyone who would benefit from shockwave to speed healing, could benefit even more by getting physical therapy along with the shockwave. Patients come in for one thing. They buy one thing. They leave … even though they clearly need more. Today's episode is about fixing that. Specifically, how to use a brief, intentional assessment and conversation process to help patients see what they actually need, and eagerly say yes to it. Before you click over to the episode, a quick announcement: I'm hiring at my clinic in Austin and could really use your help. If you know any skilled manual physical therapists in Austin (or who might want to move to Austin) who would love to be paid really well to treat every patient 1-on-1 for a full hour, PLEASE forward this to them or send me an email at Jarod@CarterPT.com.  Click here to see the job post and apply. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why entry-point services create a lopsided schedule, overloaded with clients Not getting your core service, and how to avoid that How to use a short assessment to open patients' eyes The exact language that links services to real outcomes How to eliminate "I just want this one thing" patients Why setting expectations early increases commitment and retention USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

When most clinicians think about scaling, they picture working more hours, taking on more risk, or grinding harder than ever. Jonathan Parr took the opposite path. He built a multi-location, seven-figure, cash-based practice by focusing on a niche most practice owners avoid… and by building systems that made growth predictable instead of overwhelming. If you've ever wondered whether mastering a niche, developing your team, and creating actual freedom is possible in today's environment… …Jonathan's story is proof that it is. What You'll Learn Today How Jonathan built full caseloads in two cities by focusing on an underserved population The training process he uses to turn new grads into highly skilled niche clinicians Why retention skyrocketed once he redesigned schedules, caseloads, and benefits How his internal systems naturally evolved into globally purchased online programs The mindset shift that helped him stop doing everything himself and step into leadership USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

As insurance companies steadily cut Out-of-Network benefits and reimbursement, many Cash-Based practices are really feeling the impact. Patients who once received 40–50% back from self-claims suddenly get zero, and some respond with: "I just can't afford this anymore. I need to use my insurance." It's frustrating. It feels out of your control. And yes—this trend is growing nationwide. But here's the part most practices NEVER realize: You can win back a lot of these patients—if your follow-up strategy is airtight. That's what this episode breaks down. Before you do though, a quick announcement: I'm hiring at my clinic and could really use your help … If you know of any skilled manual therapists in Austin (or who might want to move to Austin), who would love to be paid really well to treat every patient 1-on-1 for a full hour, PLEASE forward this opportunity to them. You can click HERE to see the job post and apply. What You'll Learn Today Why insurance reimbursement is dropping for Out-of-Network claims How to re-engage patients who left due to insurance changes The exact follow-up script I use The #1 mistake clinics make that destroys retentionHow to automate patient tracking so no one slips through the cracks USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Freedom 2.0

Competition in the Cash-Based PT world is rising—fast. If it feels like new Private-Pay practices are popping up every month in your area, you're not imagining it. Clinicians are leaving insurance jobs, jumping Out-of-Network, and launching Cash-Based practices at the fastest rate we've ever seen. So here's an inconvenient truth: Longer, One-on-one sessions are no longer a differentiator. Every cash practice offers that now. So in this episode, I walk a Mastermind member through how to stay confident, stay full, and stay ahead—without burning out or obsessing over competitors and the things they can't control or influence. What You'll Learn Today The 3 things every practice MUST excel at to outcompete in 2026 Why obsessing over new competitors only slows your growth The mindset shift that top owners use to stay motivated The #1 differentiator in a market full of long one-on-one sessions How to create a culture that patients never want to leave USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

Every practice owner wants consistent, predictable revenue—and the best way to earn this are patients who keep coming back because you continue to transform their life, and they truly value what you provide. That's exactly what continuity and maintenance memberships can create. In this episode, I walk through the most effective strategies for getting more patients to say "yes" to your ongoing care memberships—without feeling salesy or pushy, or offering them anything that wouldn't be of significant value to them.. And since this episode releases right around Halloween, I'll start with a quick personal update. 🎃 Our twins, Adelaide and Gray, were a mummy and a pharaoh this year. They're seven and a half now—getting funnier, cuter, and more physically independent every year. Many longtime listeners know they both have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and their journey inspired much of the neuron regeneration research and philanthropy I'm now deeply involved in. We're currently funding neural repair experiments through Dr. David Sinclair's lab at Harvard, exploring ways to reactivate healing in damaged neurons using cellular reprogramming techniques. The early cell reprogramming animal studies in his lab have been incredibly promising, showing up to 5x improvement in neuron repair. If you'd like to stay updated—or support this mission—visit NeuronRegeneration.com or NeuronRegeneration.com/donate. Alright… now let's talk about how to make your memberships as successful as possible. What You're Getting Today My point of view on the "We don't want lifelong patients" mindset The easiest, most natural ways to present memberships during care How to plant seeds early in the POC that lead to more "yeses" A free download of the exact emails and texts one of my Mastermind member used to generate $34K from memberships in a single campaign For the full framework and to download those done-for-you templates, visit HERE. USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

If you've ever wondered whether niching down could really accelerate your practice growth, this episode is your answer. I sat down with longtime Mastermind member Danielle Vernon, founder of Scolio Austin, to talk about how she built a thriving Cash-Based practice around a single, underserved niche—and turned it into a referral-generating machine. From starting out in her home clinic to building a 2,200-square-foot specialty practice, Danielle shares the exact steps, lessons, and mindset shifts that helped her go from burnout in traditional orthopedics to fulfillment and freedom in a Cash-Based niche. What You're Getting Today The real-world story of how niching transformed one PT's practice The simplest (and most overlooked) marketing tactic that filled her schedule How she turned physician referrals around—and got doctors inviting her to lunch Lessons learned from a decade of building a cash-based specialty practice USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Freedom 2.0      

If you treat (or plan to treat) Medicare beneficiaries in a Cash-Based model, this week's short but crucial podcast episode is for you. There's a lot of confusion about  about the topic as a whole, and even more confusion when it comes to allowing or not allowing self-claims in the scenarios of:  "Medicare as a secondary"  Medicare as primary, but having a private insurance as a secondary"  and "Medicare Advantage plans"  In this episode, I walk through real-world scenarios and answer the questions I get most often inside the Mastermind about how to safely handle self-claims and cash-pay situations in the above scenarios, as well as when a beneficiary has Medicare Part A only (not Part B). What You're Getting Today: The key Medicare scenarios every cash-based PT should understand When self-claims are allowed (and when they absolutely aren't) A free Medicare and Cash-Pay PT Quick Start Guide to help you avoid costly compliance mistakes For all the details on this topic, make sure to download the free Quick Start Guide HERE. USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

Most social-media tactics come and go. The algorithm changes, trends fade, and what worked three months ago might be dead today. That's why I rarely create public content about social-media marketing—because most of it isn't evergreen. But in this episode, I share the one approach that always works to generate real patients, no matter the year, the platform, or the algorithm. What You're Getting Today The evergreen framework for turning social followers into real patients How to structure every short-form video so it actually produces leads A free downloadable checklist for executing the system step-by-step USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Freedom 2.0

…Patients who show up for the eval, and never come back. They book once, and at the end of the first appointment: "I'll just see how I do with these exercises." Or "I need to watch my expenses, so I'm gonna try an in-network clinic." Sound familiar? In this episode, I coach a Mastermind member through this exact issue—and share the exact scripts I use to keep patients committed, from eval all the way to discharge. What You're Getting Today The common mistake that drives patients away after the eval Simple scripts to keep patients from "testing the waters" at home A free resource: three done-for-you scripts that turn hesitant prospects into fully committed patients USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

Let's face it: insurance companies aren't just screwing over private practices… they are pulling the rug out from under our patients as well. Once upon a time, they'd file a self-claim and get 40–50% back.  Now? Quite often it's Zero. That means more and more patients—sometimes even loyal ones you've treated for years—are saying, "I can't afford this anymore. I'll try in-network." Painful. But here's the truth: while you can't stop this trend completely, you can win back a surprising number of these patients—if you have the right follow-up systems in place. What You're Getting Today The hidden trap that causes patients to slip away for good The system my practice uses to follow up and win them back A free follow up spreadsheet + video training to plug into your own practice, and never let a winnable. Grab your free guide here. Lead/patient slip through the cracks again USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: CASH-BASED PRACTICE MARKETING INTENSIVE  

Every practice owner faces this at some point: you've got a great clinician, but their patients are dropping off way too early. You've given them the scripts, the strategies, the playbook… and yet nothing changes. It's frustrating—and it threatens both your revenue and your reputation. Here's the truth: most practice owners assume their staff are primarily motivated by money or job security. But often, that's not the case. If you don't figure out what really drives each team member, you'll never unlock their full potential, get buy-in and compliance with your instructions —or reduce those costly drop-offs. This week's episode will show you exactly how to do it. What You're Getting Today The hidden trap: why money isn't always the motivator The fix: tie desired behaviors to what your staff value most A free tool: The Motivator Index to uncover your team's real drivers. It is a one-page tool your team completes to rank what drives them. Use it in hiring and with current employees to tailor coaching, boost follow-through, and reduce patient drop-offs. It's the same tool I use in my practice, and it will change the way you lead. Grab your copy here. 3 Ways I Can Help You Scale Without Burning Out Cash-Based Practice Freedom e-Course 2.0 A proven blueprint for landing cash-pay patients whenever you want. This course gives you every script, process, and resource I've used (and coached 1000+ practice owners through) to build highly profitable, insurance-free practices. Check out the Course here. Cash-Based Practice MastermindIf you want to double your profit per patient and build the practice of your dreams, without relying on greedy insurance companies, this is your best opportunity. Weekly live coaching, an interactive community, and a members-only portal give you the accountability and clarity to reach your goals without wasting years. Check out the Mastermind here. How to Answer "Do You Take My Insurance?"This one-hour masterclass shows you how to grow your practice through headache-free hiring and smart leadership. You'll learn how to attract and onboard stellar employees, manage them like a CEO, and quickly get their schedules filled—so you reduce drop-offs and keep your team motivated to perform at their best. Check out the Masterclass here. USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Mastermind

Most clinics don't fail because they're bad at treatment—they stall because their tools don't talk. EMR here. Scheduler there. Email somewhere else. A texting app. A CRM you meant to set up "one day." In the gaps between them? Patients and leads fall through. This week's episode gives you a simple, durable way to fix it—without another fancy platform, without months of setup, and without you doing more. What You're Getting Today The hidden trap: Platform sprawl → missed follow-ups → lost revenue The fix: A single Google Sheet + one "quarterback" to run it How to scale it: SOPs your whole team can follow Your next step: Grab the free Sheet + video walkthrough that can completely transform your follow-up process—and the impact you have with your practice. The Lead Management and Patient Follow-up Tracking Sheet and Training is the same tool I use in my own clinic. It makes it easy to track follow-ups, set timely reminders, and stay top-of-mind with the people most likely to say yes down the road—so no one, and no revenue, slip through the cracks. Grab your copy here. USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: How to answer, "Do you take my insurance?"  

If your cash-based practice is still a side hustle—or you're flying solo—this episode is your wake-up call. You're stuck in the Yo-Yo Schedule Loop: feast, famine, hustle back up… rinse, repeat. Been there. Done that. And trust me, it's not sustainable. But today, you're getting the roadmap out. Ready? What You're Getting Today: The hidden trap that's burning out solopreneurs Three shifts that anchor your schedule—so you stop riding the rollercoaster Science-backed proof these moves actually work Your next step: grab the free "22 Best Sources of Cash-Pay Patients for Physical Therapy Practices" guide HERE. Your cheat-sheet for building patient-generating assets that compound. USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Freedom 2.0

What if there were an easier way to unlock an extra stream of revenue in your practice — one that doesn't require new certifications, long hours, or complicated marketing funnels? The truth is, most cash-based practice owners already have everything they need to spark a steady surge of income… they just haven't tapped into it yet. With a few simple steps, you can reactivate past patients, fill your schedule, and add thousands in additional revenue — all without changing the way you care for people. In this week's podcast, I reveal a strategy that can add five figures of cash-pay revenue to your practice every single year — with just 30 to 60 minutes of planning each quarter. And here's the kicker: most (if not all) of it can actually be handled by your staff. If you're willing to trade three or four hours of your team's time for an extra $10K+ in revenue (and a whole lot more impact), you need to hear this. To make it even easier, I've created The Seasonal Promotions Email Bundle — two proven campaigns with plug-and-play templates. Just drop them into your system, send them out, and watch old patients reactivate while new ones raise their hands. Grab your free copy HERE and put it to work in your practice. USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: How to answer, "Do you take my insurance?"  

This week, I had the chance to interview my longtime client (and now good friend) Jim Palmer, a PT in New York City who built a completely mobile, cash-based practice that he has grown to multiple clinicians and multiple services outside of PT. Jim had worked the gamut—staff PT, clinic manager, clinic director—and like so many therapists, he felt handcuffed. Insurance restrictions, shrinking treatment times, more patients packed into every day. He described it as his "life force being squeezed out." But Jim didn't quit. Instead, he built something different. In one of the toughest markets in the country—New York City—Jim launched a fully mobile cash-based practice. He started just months before the pandemic, pivoted to virtual PT when the city shut down, and somehow grew through it all. Today, his practice isn't just surviving—it's thriving with a full team of clinicians, concierge services, medical fitness programs, a golf performance arm, and referral relationships with high-level concierge physician groups across Manhattan… In today's episode, you'll learn exactly how he did it. And here's the part you don't want to miss:  Jim will be hosting a members-only deep-dive training and Q&A in our Cash Practice Mastermind a few days after this blog post is published, where members can ask him anything about scaling, referrals, or running a mobile team. If you want access to that (and to the kind of support that accelerates your success), you can join us and the rest of the successful cash-pay practice owners HERE for 50% off your first month — just use promo code "AUGUST50" at checkout. USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Freedom 2.0

You've probably heard it before. A new patient consult is going well. They're nodding along, clearly seeing the value in what you offer. And then, right at the end, you get hit with it: "I just need to talk to my spouse about it first." Or maybe it's a young college student and their parents are footing the bill. Either way, the person with the final say—or the wallet—isn't in front of you. And suddenly, all that momentum you built... slips away. If this sounds familiar, this podcast is a must-listen. In this week's episode, I answered a question from one of my Cash Practice Mastermind members who runs into this exact situation with young patients—often college students—whose parents still make the final call. But this applies to any scenario where the decision-maker isn't in the room. The good news? There's a far better way to handle these moments—one that keeps the conversation moving forward, engages the right person, and dramatically increases your chances of a "yes"… without ever sounding pushy. One more thing… Because this episode is all about improving your conversion rates in cash-pay practices, I created a free resource to go with it: Cash-Pay Closing Scripts for Free and Paid Consults. It gives you the exact language and emotional cues to help first-time patients say "yes" with confidence—without ever needing to "sell." So make sure to scroll down and grab it for free below.

Let me ask you something: how many of your past patients—who loved your care—haven't returned, even though they likely still need your help? Now, what if I told you there's a proven, powerful, word-for-word way to get them back on the schedule—without feeling pushy or salesy? In this episode, I'm sharing the exact scripts—yes, verbatim phone and voicemail scripts—used by some of the most successful cash-based practices in the country to reactivate past patients. These aren't guesses or hunches… these are time-tested, results-driven strategies that have brought patients back through the door months after they stopped care. USEFUL INFORMATION: Check out our course: Cash-Based Practice Freedom 2.0