How to Start an Alternative Health Care Center

The increased dependence on man-made chemicals and pills to control diseases has pushed people to find more natural forms of healing. Alternative health centers often focus on just one type of healing, such as acupuncture or herbal remedies.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)

Start an alternative health care center by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Alternative Health Care Center
  2. Form your Alternative Health Care Center into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Alternative Health Care Center for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Alternative Health Care Center
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Alternative Health Care Center
  7. Get Alternative Health Care Center Insurance
  8. Define your Alternative Health Care Center Brand
  9. Create your Alternative Health Care Center Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your alternative health care center. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Alternative Health Care Center Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening an alternative health care center?

This is heavily dependent on what type of business you run, and the neighborhood you’re in. However, it’s likely less than you think. If you run a meditation center, you’ll generally just need to secure a studio and a business license. To open up an LLC, it’s only about $50 in most states. For the extreme cost-cutters, you can start an acupuncture clinic for less than $2,000. If your services require malpractice insurance, a small practice will only pay about $1,500 a year for the first year.

You can also consider running your practice out of your home to save money, but this may make you seem less professional to potential clients. However, if you already have interest in your services, this could be an excellent way to get everything started until you can afford your own facilities.

What are the ongoing expenses for an alternative health care center?

Owners will have to pay for the following expenses during the time they have their practice

  • Rent/lease costs
  • Equipment costs
  • Insurance payments
  • Employee insurance
  • Ongoing classes and training

Who is the target market?

Preferred clients include anyone who wants to live a healthier life. While you’ll most likely market to those who already practice alternative health, that doesn’t mean you can’t branch out. Many owners will build their client base through internal referrals, which can include even those who are skeptical of their services. Ideally, you’ll want a client who can walk the line between traditional and alternative medicine. Unfortunately, there are certain diseases that will require harmful medical treatments such as radiation.

How does an alternative health care center make money?

Centers make money by charging a flat fee for their services, or by administering services that will eventually be reimbursed by medical insurance. It will be extremely important to verify insurance before actually conducting treatment. Alternative health centers may not be accepted by different insurance companies, or they may be outside of the network of preferred providers. In this case, you’ll need to make it clear to the client how much they can expect to pay upfront.

How much can you charge customers?

Americans spend $34 billion or so on alternative medicine a year, so it’s clear that you can set your prices high enough to cover expenses and then some. One acupuncture or chiropractor session typically costs about $60. People pay up to $1,000 to take a full course on transcendental meditation. Those who are knowledgeable in supplements may charge up to $150 for the first consultation.

How much profit can an alternative health care center make?

Profit is highly dependent on the offices you keep and the types of services you provide. An acupuncturist with 4 appointments a day at $60 an hour will make about $60,000 in a year. If you’re working at a 90% profit margin, that’s about $54,000 in profit.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Typically, alternative centers should focus on one type of service only, so expansion can be difficult. The more experience you gain though, the more you can consider teaching or public speaking about how others can adopt the techniques that have been most helpful for you.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your alternative health care center is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your alternative health care center were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an alternative health center. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

An alternative health center is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to an alternative health center.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your alternative health center will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Health Insurance Eligibility

Some alternative health centers chose to market their services with more of a therapeutic emphasis. You will probably come across consumers seeking to reimburse you for your services using their health plans. If this is the case, it is essential to make sure their health insurance covers alternative health center services. If they are indeed covered by insurance, you must fill out a health insurance claim form to receive payment.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Alternative Health Care Center needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Alternative Health Care Center.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market an alternative health care center

There are a lot of options out there when it comes to alternative health, and many of them aren’t regulated in any way. There’s little surprise that many people are understandably overwhelmed when it comes to navigating the landscape. You can gain more customers when you promote your practice as a way to cut through the noise and focus on helping them feel better.

This can be done primarily through your website, or by networking your services during alternative health conferences and events. You can also try traditional print advertising as well, depending on the type of service you offer. For example, print flyers for meditation on a bulletin board of an exercise center may be particularly effective.

How to keep customers coming back

Helping customers feels better is the best way to attract and retain customers. In addition, you should be using your education and experience to help convince skeptical people that alternative medicine is not simply a placebo effect.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is excellent for people who want to treat people without the use of conventional medications. Practitioners should be excellent at explaining how and why patients should trust in their methods in order to build a client base.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at an alternative health care center?

An owner’s day will vary widely, depending on the services they offer. However, everyone can generally expect the following activities to be on their agenda.

  • Patient intake/scheduling/interviewing
  • Employee interviewing/hiring
  • Enforcing cleanliness standards
  • Maintaining supplies and equipment
  • Administering healthcare services
  • Researching updates and breakthroughs in their field

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful alternative health care center?

Typically, you’ll want to have some advanced training before starting a business. Acupuncturists and chiropractors should attend an accredited school before opening up their own practice. Anyone recommending dietary supplements should have received formal training on what’s safe and effective on the market. Those who want to conduct meditation classes should have studied under someone with official status in the community.

One (often overlooked) skill is the ability to listen to patients’ concerns. Traditional doctors are often rushed through appointments, which means they’re likely to miss something important. Listening and explaining can end up setting you apart amidst a crowded marketplace.

What is the growth potential for an alternative health care center?

Big Pharma has unfortunately turned many people away from traditional medicines. The more doctors rely on pills with a wide range of side effects, the more people will seek out other remedies that rely on the body’s own defenses. As long as you’re responsible about administering services and serious about getting good results, there is major room for growth regardless of where you live.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting an alternative health care center?

Those who have opened their own successful offices caution not to aim too high at the beginning. By starting with the basics, you can grow your client base and save money at the same time. The more you make, the more you can invest back into the practice.

It’s also necessary to be as upfront as possible with all of your clients about the inherent risks of treatment. Just like surgeons need to spell out the potential problems to cover their own liability, those in alternative health care need to know how to direct people to different methods of treatment when necessary.

How and when to build a team

You should be building a team if you need to bring additional skills to your facility. This is typically only done when you have a loyal base of clients with regular, standing appointments.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading