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December 09, 2024
When Dr. Seamus Connolly and his wife Jessica launched their psychiatric practice in June 2022, they faced a common challenge among healthcare entrepreneurs: managing the business side of medicine.
With Dr. Connolly focused on patient care, Jessica took on the daunting task of running the practice — even though she had no experience in the medical field. Their journey from startup to thriving mental health center demonstrates how the right technology partner can transform a medical practice.
Starting from Scratch
"I actually started the company for my husband… because of some issues we were having at his old job," Jessica recalls. "[I felt] like we could help more people if we started our own practice, but that meant I needed to learn how to do everything."
Coming from a construction background, Jessica faced a steep learning curve. Initially, they partnered with a third-party billing company and used a basic EHR system. However, this arrangement proved costly and inefficient. For the first six months, the practice barely broke even, raising red flags about their operational approach.
"We were working a lot and not seeing any money," Jessica explains. "We didn't really start seeing any money until October when we onboarded with Remedly.”
Finding the Right Solution
The search for a new system led them to Remedly, though Jessica initially hesitated to switch platforms. "I got so used to using the old platform that I actually pushed back at first," she admits. "It was so hard to learn the old system that I thought, 'Now I have to learn something new?' But it turns out that it actually turned into something way better."
What set Remedly apart was its comprehensive, user-friendly approach. Jessica describes it as "billing and EHR for Dummies" because even someone with no medical background could quickly master it. The platform offered complete control over billing processes, seamless integration of patient records, and robust practice management tools — all in one system.
Transformative Results Through Technology
The impact was immediate and significant. The practice began saving over $1,000 monthly by eliminating third-party billing services. More importantly, the increased efficiency and control allowed them to focus on growth and patient care. Key features that transformed their operations include:
- Electronic remittance reports integration, eliminating manual data entry
- Direct patient billing with integrated payment links
- HIPAA compliant telehealth solutions
- Customizable templates for different types of care
- Comprehensive practice management tools
"The platform is just so easy to use," Jessica notes. "that even someone who had no background in it could figure it out.”
Expanding Services and Impact
With a stable operational foundation, the practice began to flourish. In June 2023, they expanded from their original 1,000-square-foot space to a 4,000-square-foot facility. This growth enabled them to launch an innovative ketamine treatment department for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Remedly’s platform offered the flexibility needed to support the new department:
- A separate location was created within their Remedly account to independently manage ketamine appointments, streamlining the scheduling process.
- The custom encounter template designed for ketamine treatments was another significant advantage. It helped reduce documentation time by approximately four minutes per appointment, allowing the team to dedicate more time to patient care.
"The system allowed us to add that extra category, and bill for those services, and be able to add those extra [insurance] codes," Jessica explains.
Beyond Medical Care: Building Community Impact
Perhaps most remarkably, the practice's efficiency gains enabled them to launch an innovative social initiative. In August 2023, they opened the Give Back Boutique, a nonprofit store within their facility. The boutique sells unique items, including patient-made crafts, with all proceeds helping patients cover their copays. In just a few months, the store generated approximately $5,000-$6,000 to support patient care.
Looking Ahead
The practice continues to expand its vision for community impact. Plans are underway to secure additional space for after-school programs, teaching life skills to underprivileged children in their area. This growth remains manageable thanks to their efficient operational foundation.
"I'm extremely grateful," Jessica reflects. "It's been one of the best decisions I made… I love working with people that have something to prove—something that's great, but they want to make it even better."
From startup to thriving community healthcare center, Dr. Connolly's practice demonstrates how the right technology partner can enable not just business success but meaningful community impact. Their journey with Remedly showcases how efficient practice management can create space for innovation and social good in healthcare.