How to start a DME Durable medical equipment company.Targeting products knee bracing pain pumps back bracing continuous passive motion machines walkers?

# Read everything you can on government regulations on the CMS (Medicare) website. Also talk to people in the industry to find out what the opportunities, obstacles and barriers are. # It is critical to complete a detailed feasibility study for your community to see what the needs are, who the competition is, explore possible referral sources and determining the size of the market. # Develop a detailed business plan that addresses every aspect of business development. Below is a sample of the content of a business plan: Yours will have to be taiored to your specific needs. This is a major project which could take hundreds of hours. It would be wise to get help from a seasoned DME consultant. 1.0 Executive Summary of Business Plan2.0 New Company 2.1 Company Ownership. 2.2 Management.. 2.3 Business Description.. 2.4 Company Locations and Facilities. 2.5 Company Assets. 2.6 Keys to Success (Business Strategy) 2.7 Objectives. 2.8 Mission.. 2.9 Vision.. 2.10 Corporate Philosophy.. 3.0 New Company Services 3.1 Service Development 3.2 Determination of Products and Business Model 4.0Marketing 4.1 Detailed Marketing Plan 4.2 Patient Market 5.0 Financials 5.1 Financial Overview 5.2 Staffing 5.3 Financial Plan 6.0 Operations 6.1 Geographical Regions 6.2 Detailed Policies and Procedures 6.3 Billing and Collections 6.4 Accreditation 6.5 Detailed Gantt Chart of Activites for Start-up 6.6 Training and Education 4. Detailed planning and hiring a skilled manager is critical to success. Good luck in your efforts to start a DME company. Donald Gillespie, Ph.D.