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Copyright 2026 |  Plastic Surgeon Planning | Plastic Surgeon Directory

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A to Z

Business terms, explained simply

This physician business glossary defines the terms that come up across the guides on this site. Each definition is short and general, and most link to a guide that explains the topic in more depth. For the full list of guides, visit the physician practice resource center.

This page is for general informational purposes only. It isn't specific legal, tax or financial advice and doesn't create an attorney-client or other professional relationship.

For guidance specific to your practice, contact us and we'll introduce you to an independent attorney or other qualified professional.

A

Accounts receivable (AR) aging

A report that groups unpaid patient and payer balances by how long they have been outstanding, such as 0-30, 31-60 and 61-90 days. It is a common view of revenue cycle health.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice operations review

Add-on acquisition

A practice acquired by an existing platform group and folded into it. Add-ons usually join the platform's systems, brand or management structure over time.

Related guide: Plastic surgery private equity

After-hours answering

The way a practice handles calls outside office hours, whether through an answering service, an on-call rotation, voicemail routing or an AI receptionist.

Related guide: After-hours answering

AI search optimization

The work of making practice information clear and consistent so AI assistants and AI Overviews can describe the practice accurately when patients ask questions.

Related guide: AI search visibility for plastic surgery practices

Ancillary services

Services offered alongside physician visits, such as imaging, therapy, lab work or durable medical equipment. They are often organized as separate service lines within the practice.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice growth and expansion

Asset purchase

A transaction in which the buyer acquires selected assets of a practice, such as equipment, records and goodwill, rather than the ownership interest in the entity itself.

Related guide: Selling a plastic surgery practice

Auto attendant

A phone system feature that greets callers with a recorded menu and directs them to the right department or person without a receptionist.

Related guide: Call routing and IVR

Back to A–Z

B

Backup and disaster recovery

The combination of regular data copies, offsite storage and a tested plan for restoring systems after an outage, ransomware event or hardware failure.

Related guide: Data backup and disaster recovery

Benchmarking

Comparing a practice's operating and financial measures with peer groups or its own history to see where it stands.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice benchmarking

Build-out

The construction work that turns raw or second-generation space into a finished clinical office, including exam rooms, plumbing, electrical and specialty rooms.

Related guide: Office build-out

Buy-in

The process by which a physician acquires an ownership stake in a practice, usually after an initial employment period. The terms often cover valuation, timing and how payment is made.

Related guide: Plastic surgeon partnership options

Buy-sell agreement

An agreement among owners that sets out what happens to an ownership interest when a triggering event occurs, such as retirement, disability, death or departure.

Related guide: Buyout agreements for plastic surgeons

Back to A–Z

C

Call routing

Rules that send incoming calls to the right person, location or queue based on time of day, caller choice or staff availability.

Related guide: Call routing and IVR

Cloud phone system

A business phone system that runs over the internet and is hosted by a provider, rather than on hardware in the office. Staff can use desk phones, computers or mobile apps.

Related guide: Cloud phone systems (hosted PBX)

Cloud services

Software and storage delivered over the internet, such as hosted email, file sharing and collaboration tools, instead of servers kept in the office.

Related guide: Cloud services and Microsoft 365

Collection rate

The share of collectible charges a practice actually collects. Net collection rate is a common revenue cycle measure.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice operations review

Confidentiality agreement

An agreement, often called an NDA, that limits how a party may use or share information it receives, commonly signed before a buyer reviews practice details.

Related guide: Selling a plastic surgery practice

Consultation conversion

The share of consultations that lead to a scheduled procedure.

Related guide: Consultation conversion for plastic surgeons

Conversion rate

The share of website visitors, callers or consultations that take a desired next step, such as booking an appointment.

Related guide: Website design for plastic surgery practices

Cost per lead

The marketing spend divided by the number of new patient inquiries it produced. It is a common way to compare channels.

Related guide: Google Ads and PPC for plastic surgery practices

Cybersecurity

The tools and habits that protect practice systems and data from unauthorized access, including email filtering, endpoint protection, access controls and staff training.

Related guide: Practice cybersecurity

Back to A–Z

D

Days in AR

The average number of days it takes to collect payment after a service is billed. It is a widely tracked revenue cycle measure.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice operations review

Due diligence

The review a buyer or partner carries out before closing a transaction, covering financial, operational, legal and clinical records.

Related guide: Selling a plastic surgery practice

Back to A–Z

E

Earnout

A portion of the sale proceeds that is paid later, contingent on the practice meeting agreed measures after closing.

Related guide: Plastic surgery private equity

EBITDA

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. It is a common measure of operating earnings used in practice valuations and transactions.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice valuation

Employment agreement

The contract between a physician and an employer that sets out duties, compensation, schedule, termination terms and restrictive covenants.

Related guide: Contract review for plastic surgeons

Equity rollover

The portion of a seller's proceeds reinvested as ownership in the buying organization rather than paid out at closing. It is common in private equity transactions.

Related guide: Plastic surgery private equity

Exit readiness

How prepared a practice is for an ownership change, considering records, operations, leadership depth and documentation.

Related guide: Exit readiness assessment

Back to A–Z

F

Fair market value

The value at which a property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, both reasonably informed and neither under compulsion. It is one of several standards of value.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice valuation

Back to A–Z

G

Goodwill

The part of a practice's value that comes from intangible factors such as reputation, patient relationships and the trained team. It is often split into practice goodwill and personal goodwill.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice valuation

Google Business Profile

The free Google listing that shows a practice's name, address, hours, reviews and photos in Maps and local search results.

Related guide: SEO for plastic surgery practices

Governance

The rules for how a practice makes decisions, including voting rights, board or committee structure and which matters need owner approval.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice mergers and acquisitions

Back to A–Z

H

Hosted PBX

A phone switching system run by a provider in the cloud. It handles extensions, transfers, voicemail and routing for the practice.

Related guide: Cloud phone systems (hosted PBX)

Back to A–Z

I

Interactive voice response (IVR)

A phone menu that lets callers choose options by keypad or voice, such as scheduling, billing or prescription refills.

Related guide: Call routing and IVR

Back to A–Z

L

Lease vs. buy

The comparison a practice makes between renting its space and owning the building, weighing flexibility, control and long-term plans.

Related guide: Leasing vs. buying office space

Letter of intent (LOI)

A document that outlines the main terms of a proposed transaction, such as valuation, deal structure and timing, before definitive agreements are drafted.

Related guide: Selling a plastic surgery practice

Local SEO

Search optimization focused on nearby patients, including the Google Business Profile, local citations, reviews and location pages.

Related guide: SEO for plastic surgery practices

Back to A–Z

Have a question about a term on this page that is specific to your practice? Take the 2-minute Practice Planning Check or call (972) 616-4581, and Plastic Surgeon Planning can introduce you to an independent, qualified professional.

M

Managed IT services

An arrangement in which an outside provider handles a practice's IT support, monitoring, updates and device management under an ongoing agreement.

Related guide: Managed IT services

Management services organization (MSO)

A company that provides business and administrative services to a medical practice, such as billing, staffing and technology, often under a management services agreement.

Related guide: Private equity and partnership options

Map pack

The group of local business listings with a map that Google shows near the top of many local searches.

Related guide: SEO for plastic surgery practices

Med spa

A business that offers nonsurgical aesthetic treatments, often under physician oversight. Ownership and supervision structures vary by state.

Related guide: Plastic surgeon med spa ownership

Merger

A combination of two or more practices into a single organization, usually with shared ownership, governance and systems.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice mergers and acquisitions

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

A sign-in method that requires a second proof of identity, such as a code or app prompt, in addition to a password.

Related guide: Practice cybersecurity

Back to A–Z

N

Network segmentation

Dividing an office network into separate zones, for example clinical systems, staff devices and guest Wi-Fi, so traffic in one zone cannot freely reach another.

Related guide: Network security and office Wi-Fi

No-show rate

The share of scheduled appointments that patients miss without notice. Practices track it to manage reminders, overbooking and waitlists.

Related guide: Plastic surgery consultation no-shows

Non-compete

A clause that restricts a physician from practicing within a defined area and time period after leaving a practice or employer.

Related guide: Non-competes for plastic surgeons

Non-solicitation clause

A clause that restricts a departing physician from soliciting the practice's patients, staff or referral sources for a period of time.

Related guide: Non-competes for plastic surgeons

Normalized earnings

Historical earnings adjusted to remove unusual, one-time or owner-specific items, so the practice can be viewed on a consistent ongoing basis.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice valuation

Number porting

Moving existing phone numbers from one carrier or system to another so patients can keep calling the same numbers.

Related guide: VoIP migration and number porting

Back to A–Z

O

Office-based surgery accreditation

A review by an accrediting body of an in-office operating suite against published standards for facilities, staffing and procedures.

Related guide: Office-based surgery accreditation

Online reviews

Patient ratings and comments posted on Google and other platforms. Practices commonly request and respond to reviews as part of their reputation work.

Related guide: Reviews for plastic surgeons

Operating agreement

The governing document of an LLC or PLLC that sets out ownership percentages, management, voting, distributions and what happens when an owner leaves.

Related guide: Partnership agreements for plastic surgeons

Owner-occupied building

A building that a practice or its owners buy and occupy, rather than lease from a third-party landlord.

Related guide: Buying a medical office building

Back to A–Z

P

Partnership dispute

A disagreement among practice owners about matters such as compensation, governance, workload or an owner's departure. Agreements often set out how disputes are handled.

Related guide: Business divorce for plastic surgeons

Patient intake

The steps a new patient goes through before the visit, such as scheduling, forms, insurance verification and records collection.

Related guide: Running a plastic surgery front desk

Patient texting

Two-way text messaging between the practice and patients, commonly used for reminders, confirmations and quick questions.

Related guide: Patient texting and reminders

Pay-per-click (PPC)

An advertising model in which the practice pays each time someone clicks an ad, such as a Google Ads search ad.

Related guide: Google Ads and PPC for plastic surgery practices

Platform practice

The first practice a private equity investor acquires in a specialty or region, which becomes the base for later add-on acquisitions.

Related guide: Plastic surgery private equity

Practice broker

An intermediary who markets a practice for sale, identifies potential buyers and coordinates the process.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice brokers

Professional entity (PLLC, PC, PA)

A business entity designed for licensed professionals, such as a professional limited liability company, professional corporation or professional association. Available forms vary by state.

Related guide: Business entity options for plastic surgeons

Back to A–Z

R

Recapitalization

A transaction that changes a practice's ownership and capital structure, often by bringing in an outside investor while current owners keep a stake.

Related guide: Private equity and partnership options

Relocation

Moving a practice to a new location, which typically involves site selection, lease timing, build-out, equipment moves and patient communication.

Related guide: Relocation and second locations

Restrictive covenant

A general term for contract clauses that limit future activity, such as non-competes, non-solicitation clauses and confidentiality terms.

Related guide: Non-competes for plastic surgeons

Revenue cycle management

The process of capturing, billing and collecting payment for services, from scheduling and eligibility checks to claims and patient balances.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice operations review

Back to A–Z

S

Schema markup

Structured code added to web pages that helps search engines and AI tools understand details such as services, locations and FAQs.

Related guide: SEO for plastic surgery practices

Security risk assessment

A structured review of where practice systems and data could be exposed and which safeguards are in place.

Related guide: Security risk assessment

Site selection

The process of evaluating potential office locations by access, visibility, parking, patient catchment area and referral proximity.

Related guide: Office site selection

Social media marketing

Using platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to share practice education, updates and culture with patients and the community.

Related guide: Social media for plastic surgery practices

Solo practice

A practice owned and run by a single surgeon, often the starting model before partners are added.

Related guide: Starting a plastic surgery practice

Stock purchase

A transaction in which the buyer acquires the ownership interest in the practice entity itself, including its contracts and history.

Related guide: Selling a plastic surgery practice

Succession plan

A plan for how ownership and leadership of a practice will pass to new physicians or owners over time.

Related guide: Succession, buy-ins and buyouts

Back to A–Z

T

Telehealth

Patient visits conducted by secure video or phone rather than in person.

Related guide: Telehealth video and unified communications

Tenant improvement allowance

An amount a landlord agrees to contribute toward a tenant's build-out, typically defined in the lease.

Related guide: Office lease negotiation

Transition plan

The steps for handing over a practice after an ownership change, including patient communication, staff, records and systems.

Related guide: Practice transition and records handover

Triple-net lease

A lease in which the tenant pays base rent plus a share of property operating costs, such as building upkeep and common-area expenses.

Related guide: Office lease negotiation

Back to A–Z

U

Unified communications

A single platform that combines phone, video, chat and messaging so staff can communicate from one system.

Related guide: Telehealth video and unified communications

Back to A–Z

V

Value drivers

The characteristics that tend to raise or lower what a practice is worth, such as payer mix, provider depth, growth and systems.

Related guide: Plastic surgery practice value drivers

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol: phone calls carried over an internet connection rather than traditional phone lines.

Related guide: Phone systems and VoIP for plastic surgery practices

Back to A–Z

W

Work RVU (wRVU)

A unit that measures the physician work component of a service. wRVUs are commonly used in productivity-based compensation.

Related guide: Contract review for plastic surgeons

Back to A–Z

Have a question specific to your practice?

Request an introduction, and Plastic Surgeon Planning will connect you with an independent, qualified professional who works with plastic surgery practices.

Take the 2-minute Practice Planning Check

or call (972) 616-4581

This page is a general educational resource. Specifics vary by practice and location. Plastic Surgeon Planning is an introduction service connecting physicians with independent professionals.

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Browse by topic

The business side of a plastic surgery practice, in one place

This physician practice resource center gathers 68 guides and articles written for plastic surgeons and practice managers. Each topic opens with overview pages, followed by in-depth articles. Every guide is general and educational, written to explain how things usually work.

Topic 213 guides

Digital Marketing & SEO

Patients often find a practice through search, maps, reviews, AI answers and the practice website. These guides explain how each channel works for plastic surgery practices.

Plastic surgery digital marketing overview

How plastic surgery practices are found and chosen across search, ads, social, AI answers and the website.

Read the guide →

SEO for plastic surgery practices

How search engines rank practice pages, local listings and service content.

Read the guide →

Google Ads and PPC for plastic surgery practices

How paid search campaigns are structured, targeted and measured.

Read the guide →

Social media for plastic surgery practices

How practices use social platforms to share education and stay visible.

Read the guide →

AI search visibility for plastic surgery practices

How AI assistants and AI Overviews draw on practice information to answer patient questions.

Read the guide →

Website design for plastic surgery practices

What a practice website commonly includes, from service pages to scheduling paths.

Read the guide →

Consultation conversion for plastic surgeons

The patient path from the first click to a booked consultation.

Read the guide →

AI search for plastic surgeons

How ChatGPT and AI Overviews mention plastic surgery practices.

Read the guide →

A complete guide to plastic surgery SEO

The building blocks of search visibility for surgeons.

Read the guide →

Plastic surgery SEO in 2026

Ranking procedure pages in a crowded market.

Read the guide →

Google Ads for plastic surgeons

How procedure-level campaigns are structured.

Read the guide →

Reviews for plastic surgeons

Google, RealSelf and setting patient expectations.

Read the guide →

Plastic surgery website design

What separates consult-booking websites from brochure sites.

Read the guide →

Have a question about any of these topics that is specific to your practice? Take the 2-minute Practice Planning Check or call (972) 616-4581, and Plastic Surgeon Planning can introduce you to an independent, qualified professional.

Topic 713 guides

Valuation & Exits

Valuation, readiness and transition planning come up whenever ownership changes. These guides explain how practices are valued and the common exit paths.

Plastic surgery practice valuation and growth overview

Valuation, value drivers, benchmarking, growth and operations, explained in one place.

Read the guide →

Plastic surgery practice valuation

What a valuation is, the standards of value and the approaches professionals commonly use.

Read the guide →

Plastic surgery practice value drivers

The characteristics that tend to raise or lower what a practice is worth.

Read the guide →

Plastic surgery practice exit planning overview

Readiness, sale, private equity, mergers, succession and transition, explained.

Read the guide →

Exit readiness assessment

What readiness means and what an exit readiness assessment covers.

Read the guide →

Selling a plastic surgery practice

The stages of a practice sale, the types of buyers and the key documents.

Read the guide →

Private equity and partnership options

Platforms, add-ons, MSOs and how private equity partnerships are structured.

Read the guide →

Plastic surgery practice mergers and acquisitions

Mergers versus acquisitions, governance and post-merger integration.

Read the guide →

Succession, buy-ins and buyouts

Physician buy-ins, partner buyouts and buy-sell agreements, defined.

Read the guide →

Practice transition and records handover

Patient communication, records arrangements and the handover after closing.

Read the guide →

Plastic surgery practice brokers

How brokers fit into selling or buying an aesthetic practice.

Read the guide →

Signs it may be time to sell a plastic surgery practice

Common signals owners weigh when considering a sale.

Read the guide →

Plastic surgery private equity

How private equity deals in aesthetic practices are structured.

Read the guide →
FAQ

Resource center: frequently asked questions

What is the Plastic Surgeon Planning resource center?

It is a single index of the guides and articles on this site, grouped by topic so plastic surgeons can find operations, marketing, technology, office space, contracts and valuation material in one place.

Who are these guides written for?

Plastic surgeons, practice owners and practice managers who want plain-English background on the business side of running a plastic surgery practice.

Is the information in these guides legal, tax or financial advice?

No. Every guide is general educational information. Specifics vary by practice, market and state, so questions about a particular situation belong with an independent, qualified professional.

How are the topics organized?

Each topic opens with overview pages, followed by more detailed guides and articles in that area. The glossary defines common terms and links back to the matching guide.

How does an introduction work?

Take the 2-minute Practice Planning Check or call (972) 616-4581. Plastic Surgeon Planning is an introduction service that can connect you with an independent professional who works with plastic surgery practices, and you decide whether to work with them.

Have a question specific to your practice?

Request an introduction, and Plastic Surgeon Planning will connect you with an independent, qualified professional who works with plastic surgery practices.

Take the 2-minute Practice Planning Check

or call (972) 616-4581

This page is a general educational resource. Specifics vary by practice and location. Plastic Surgeon Planning is an introduction service connecting physicians with independent professionals.