Business Entity for Plastic Surgeons: Choose the Right Structure for Protection and Growth

If you're a plastic surgeon launching a practice, expanding your services, or partnering with others, one of the most important legal decisions you'll make is choosing your business entity. Your structure can affect everything from how you're taxed and protected, to how you grow, bring on partners, or exit plan down the line.

Here we'll walk through the best options for plastic surgeons and how to make a choice that protects your assets and supports your long-term vision.

→ Start Planning Your Structure

Why Entity Choice Matters for Plastic Surgeons

Plastic surgery often blends clinical procedures with aesthetic services like injectables, skincare, or med-spa offerings. That mix can create both opportunity - and complexity, especially when it comes to liability, ownership rules, and compliance. Always consult with a business attorney with specific help towards your needs.

Your business entity impacts:

• How your income is taxed (and what you keep)

• Whether your personal assets are protected from legal claims

• How easily you can add partners, investors, or expand into new ventures

• Whether you comply with state laws on medical ownership and supervision

Choosing the right entity is about more than launching a practice, it’s also about structuring for freedom, protection, and long-term success.

Common Business Entities for Plastic Surgeons

1. Professional Corporation (PC) or Professional Association (PA)
A PC is often required for medical practices owned by licensed physicians. This structure offers a clear legal barrier between your personal assets and business risk, giving you peace of mind as your practice grows. It’s a foundational setup for plastic surgeons who want a compliant, secure launch with room to evolve.

• Provides basic liability separation between business and personal assets

• Complies with state rules for medical ownership

• Can elect S-Corp status for tax savings

2. PLLC (Professional Limited Liability Company)
A flexible, modern structure used by many private plastic surgeons and solo practices.
It gives you the legal protection and freedom to pursue multiple income streams—clinical, cosmetic, or retail—under one roof. A PLLC supports your entrepreneurial vision while safeguarding your future earnings.

• Strong liability protection and simple to form

• Allows additional revenue streams like skincare or non-invasive med-spa services

• Supports solo, group, or hybrid ownership with the right operating agreement

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3. S-Corporation Election
A tax status you can apply to a PC or PLLC to reduce your self-employment tax.
This option helps you keep more of what you earn while maintaining compliance with IRS expectations. It's a powerful strategy for high-income surgeons ready to operate with efficiency and foresight.

• Requires “reasonable salary” but allows tax savings on distributions

• Ideal for high-income plastic surgeons wanting to maximize take-home

4. Multi-Entity Structures
Many plastic surgeons use multiple entities to separate liability and income sources.
This approach lets you isolate risk—protecting your core practice from potential claims tied to med-spa, retail, or consulting ventures. It’s a scalable model designed to future-proof your brand as your business expands.

• Example: One PLLC for the medical side, another for the med-spa or product line

• Useful for joint ventures, limiting legal exposure, and estate planning flexibility

5. C-Corporation (Less Common)
Sometimes used in large or investor-backed practices, though less tax-efficient for most solo surgeons. While not ideal for most, it can support specific strategies involving retained earnings or fringe benefits for larger teams. If you're building a high-scale group practice with long-term growth in mind, it may be worth exploring.

• May offer benefits like retained earnings or advanced fringe benefits

• Subject to double taxation without proper planning

Secure Your Vision, Structure with Purpose.

Setting up your business the right way will save you from headaches down the road. Get expert guidance from our trusted advisors with solutions tailored for you.

• Choose the right entity based on your state laws and goals

• Draft the documents needed to protect your ownership and practice

• Separate med-spa from medical liability if needed

• Prepare for future exit, expansion, or partnership transitions

→ Start Planning Your Business Structure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a plastic surgeon own a med-spa through the same entity?
Not always. In many states, medical and aesthetic services must be clearly separated, and a dual-entity setup may offer more protection and compliance.

What’s better for a plastic surgery clinic—PC or PLLC?
It depends on your state, your income, and your goals. PLLCs offer more flexibility, but some states require PCs for medical ownership.

Should I elect S-Corp status?
If you're earning well above your “reasonable salary,” S-Corp status may reduce your self-employment taxes. Most surgeons do elect it once their income surpasses a certain level.

What if I already launched as a sole proprietor?
We strongly recommend converting. Sole proprietorships leave you personally liable and offer no legal separation for your assets.

Can I use my business structure in my estate plan too?
Yes. Structuring your entities correctly now allows for easier transition, asset protection, and integration with trusts or business succession strategies.