Eliminating Open Slots to Increase Practice Revenue

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Episode Description

What’s the least valuable patient in your practice? It’s probably not who you think. In this episode, I break down why the most costly problem in a podiatry schedule isn’t low-reimbursement visits—it’s empty appointment slots that go unfilled.

I walk through real daily tracking sheets, contrasting least valuable patients with most valuable ones, and explain how tightening scheduling, stacking services appropriately, and identifying missed opportunities can significantly raise personal production. This is a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how small operational decisions compound into million-dollar outcomes.

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Timestamps

• [00:00] Why open schedule slots are the true least valuable “patients”

• [01:30] Reframing daily capacity and tracking missed potential

• [03:10] High-value visit example: plantar fasciitis workup to shockwave and orthotics

• [05:10] Least valuable visits: orthotic adjustments and post-op globals

• [06:50] Managing busy patients who “don’t have time” (and still need definitive care)

• [09:10] Staged procedures, bundling services, and visit efficiency

• [11:40] Identifying MVPs: laser, collagen kits, shockwave, and orthotic strategies

• [14:10] Systems thinking: staff training, automatic imaging, and upsell awareness

• [16:00] Why reducing low-value visits increases high-value capacity

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Key Takeaway

Your fastest path to higher production isn’t seeing more patients—it’s reducing empty slots and intentionally converting visits into higher-value, outcome-driven care plans.

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Conclusion

If you’re not tracking open capacity, you’re likely underestimating your true revenue leak. Start looking at your schedule through the lens of opportunity cost, not just visit counts. If this episode helped reframe how you look at your day, share it with your team or join the Podiatry Practice Mastery email list for weekly insights focused on real-world practice growth.