Medical Exercise Specialist - Clarity is Important in Developing a MET Business

Clarity is crucial in any successful business, but it is essential when developing a Medical Exercise Training (MET) practice. As an emerging field that “Bridges the gap between healthcare and fitness”, MET requires professionals to have a clear sense of direction, purpose, and execution. Using the MES Business Success Path as a foundation, this post will explore why clarity is fundamental to establishing a thriving MET business.

Defining Your Purpose and Target Audience

The first step in the MES Business Success Path is gaining clarity around your purpose. Why are you offering medical exercise training? What specific problems are you solving for your clients? These questions may seem basic, but answering them with precision sets the tone for your entire business model. Understanding your mission helps you align your services with the right clientele—whether seniors recovering...

As a Medical Exercise Specialist, you already possess the knowledge and skills to help clients manage and recover from medical conditions through exercise. But running a successful practice requires more than just exercise expertise—it requires mastering the business side of things also. This is where the MES Business Success Path comes in.

The MES Business Success Path is a comprehensive coaching program designed specifically for medical exercise professionals like you, to help you build a profitable and thriving practice. This program focuses on six critical areas—what we call the “pillars” of success—that will guide you in growing a sustainable business that attracts clients, builds strong medical relationships, and delivers outstanding outcomes.

Let’s take a look at these six pillars and how you can apply them to develop a strong, profitable medical exercise training (MET) practice.

1. Clarity: Define Your Vision and Niche

Many medical...

MET 101 eBook – Tip 32

The Essential Skills Every Medical Exercise Professional Needs

Starting a medical exercise training (MET) practice requires more than just obtaining a certification. In MET101 Tip 32, Dr. Mike explains that true success comes from mastering 52 essential skills over time. This gradual process ensures that MET professionals can confidently apply these skills to improve their clients' health outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• Skill Proficiency: Jones emphasizes that being certified doesn’t equate to immediate mastery. It takes two to three years to become proficient in the core skills necessary for MET professionals.
• 52 Essential Skills: MET professionals should follow the Medical Exercise Skills Checklist, which outlines the specific skills required to provide safe and effective exercise programming for clients with medical conditions.

Go to www.MedXPROChecklist.com to complete the checklist!!

• Ongoing Learning: Much like healthcare professionals, MET...

"MET 101 eBook - Tip 31" provides valuable insights for medical exercise professionals on how to grow their practice by building strong referral relationships with healthcare providers. The speaker outlines the role of medical exercise trainers in complementing, rather than replacing, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other medical professionals. One of the key themes is the importance of establishing communication with medical professionals and positioning yourself as a trusted partner in the patient's rehabilitation journey. Here are the main points discussed:

• Medical Exercise Training’s Role:
  MET professionals serve as the “eyes and ears” of the medical community, ensuring safe and effective exercise programs for clients with medical conditions.
• Communication with Medical Providers:
  Many medical exercise professionals fail to communicate with healthcare providers, missing out on valuable referrals. Sending regular progress reports and updates can keep the...

Hello Medical Exercise Specialists, tip 30 from our "Medical Exercise Training 101" eBook, addresses the question: "Can I set up my medical exercise (ME) practice?"

Dr. Mike enthusiastically encourages medical exercise professionals to establish their practices, emphasizing the importance of this step for both personal growth and the profession's advancement. He explains that starting a private practice, whether from home, within a health club, going to clients’ homes, or renting space from a medical professional, can significantly enhance accountability and professionalism. This, in turn, helps elevate the industry's standards and fosters greater respect from medical professionals and the broader community.

Key points include:

• The value of gaining at least one year of experience working with a wide range of medical exercise clients before going independent.
• The growing demand for medical exercise training worldwide, and the opportunity for professionals to bridge the gap...

Medical Exercise Training 101 eBook Tip 29 addresses the common question: "Can I work for a chiropractor or registered physical therapist?"

Dr Mike confirms that medical exercise professionals can indeed work in these settings, either as employees or contractors. As an employee, you might work as a rehab aide or exercise technician under the supervision of a licensed medical provider, learning valuable exercise techniques that can later be applied in your own practice. As a contractor, it’s crucial to distinguish between providing exercise services and administering physical therapy or chiropractic care (under the supervision of the licensed medical provider) to ensure clear communication with clients and compliance with regulations.

Ddr. Mike also highlights the importance of understanding Medicare guidelines, which restrict non-licensed staff from working with Medicare patients within a physical therapy clinic. This is vital knowledge for medical exercise professionals to...

Are you a dedicated Medical Exercise Specialist looking to elevate your practice to new heights? Meet your game-changer—the Advanced Medical Exercise Specialist Manual by the Medical Exercise Training Institute. Celebrating 30 years of excellence at METI, this comprehensive manual is now available in a print edition, ready to ship directly to your doorstep!

Why The AMES Manual is a Must-Have:

Comprehensive Content: Spanning an impressive 1,228 pages, this manual is a treasure trove of knowledge accumulated over three decades of medical exercise education and outcomes. It encompasses everything you need to master medical exercise training, including detailed protocols, assessment guidelines, documentation forms, and specialized exercise programs.

In-Depth Sections: Dive into 30 meticulously crafted sections that go beyond basic exercises. These sections focus on management guidelines essential for handling clients with complex medical conditions and multiple comorbidities....

Expanding Your Medical Exercise Practice: Serving Athletes and Children - MET 101 Tip 28

In tip 28 of the MET 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike Jones explores an exciting opportunity for medical exercise professionals: offering services to athletes and children. This tip addresses whether it's feasible and beneficial to extend Medical Exercise (ME) services to these groups.

Key Takeaways:

1. Serving Young Athletes:
• Young athletes, those recovering from injuries, represent a significant market for ME professionals. After they complete physical therapy and receive medical clearance, they often need specialized exercise programs to continue to enhance their performance.
• Working with young athletes not only helps them it also increases community exposure. Families of athletes often become future clients, broadening your base.
• Techniques for young athletes are similar to those used with adult clients, but programs should be adjusted to meet higher functional outcomes.
2. Addressing Childhood...

In the 27th tip from the MET 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike Jones addresses a critical issue for medical exercise professionals: the legality of billing for Medical Exercise (ME) services provided in a client's home when working under a physician not on the premises at the time services are rendered. Medical Exercise Specialists ARE NOT licensed to provide ANY form of physical therapy services.

Key Points:

1. Direct Supervision Requirement:
• Dr. Mike stresses that non-licensed professionals cannot provide ME services billed by a physician as therapy services, without providing direct supervision. The law requires the supervising licensed medical professional to be physically present and capable of overseeing the services provided directly. Also, the Medical Exercise Specialist may not provide services listed under the “Physical Therapy Act” for the state or province.
2. Insurance Fraud Risks:
• Billing exercise services provided in a client’s home as physical...

In the 26th tip from the MET 101 eBook series, Dr. Mike addresses a common question among physical therapists: "Can I bill for Medical Exercise (ME) Services?" This tip offers valuable guidance on how to properly structure and seek payment for these services once a patient has been discharged from physical therapy.

Key Points:

1. Distinguishing Patients from Clients:
• Dr. Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between patients and clients. Once patients are discharged from physical therapy, they transition to being clients for MET services.
2. Billing for ME Services:
• Physical therapists can bill for MET services through a monthly membership model. It is crucial to communicate clearly with insurance carriers, clients, and referral sources that the services provided are not physical therapy but a structured exercise program.
• The billing should reflect a monthly membership fee rather than using CPT codes, which are typically associated with physical therapy...