Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Alonso.
Carlos, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
We opened the practice in September 2002. One physician, one assistant. At that time we only had a Medicare and Medicaid number with a couple of insurance contracts. The line of credit was used to pay everything from salaries to rent and supplies. I got clinical privileges at 6 different hospitals to compensate for the mere 2 – 3 patients a day I might see in the office. It was very tough for the first 12 months. I would go to a couple of hospitals at 5 or 6 in the morning, see some office patients in the morning, jump to my main hospital at lunch time, some more office patients in the afternoon and then 2 – 3 hospital visits after 5 PM.
Things started to improve after the first year. I was able to get new insurance contracts and slowly build up my patient base. After a lot of work and dedication, we have grown to a 5 physician, 3 location practice with about 26 employees. Keep working very hard, now also many Saturdays, but I am very proud of the medical care we offer.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been multiple struggles. One of the most important and detrimental has been working with insurance companies including Medicare. We provide a very comprehensive and appropriate medical care and it can be a nightmare to get reimbursed for it. It is also very difficult to get patients started in the medications they need. The authorization process for the drugs is very complicated and redundant and we all now about the exorbitant drug cost we are seeing today. We have 5 employees whose only duty is to obtain authorizations and referrals for patients to be able to see us or for them to get the medically necessary diagnostic studies and medications. We face more and more bureaucratic requirements, spend more and more time on administrative duties but see less patients getting the care they need.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Advanced Rheumatology of South Florida story. Tell us more about the business.
We specialize in rheumatology and all our physicians are board certified or board eligible in the field. We offer excellent, comprehensive, fast, reliable and compassionate care. Every effort is made to provide patients the care they need when they need it. Patients can be seen the same day they call for an appointment. I am proud to say that we offer state of the art rheumatology care. We are very unique in the way we focus on the overall patient care, we do in-office what we know we do well and refer out when appropriate. The trust of our patients have made our expansion possible. We always look forward for ways to improve.
In addition, we are one of only 3 practices in the entire state of Florida to achieve the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine accreditation in musculoskeletal ultrasound. I was the first rheumatologist in South Florida to use ultrasound as an aid in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic conditions.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Even though hard work is the most important element in developing a business, good luck can be essential at certain times. The first of such times was when my parents decided to leave Cuba and migrate to this extraordinary country. Nothing I have done would have been possible if it wasn’t for the liberties, rights and way of government of this nation. I am always very grateful for that.
I have been lucky and blessed to marry a wonderful woman and having a beautiful and supportive family. They are the main reason I do what I do and why I have been able to move forward with so many projects. God has always been with me and given me strength when needed. My parents also taught me the importance of good work ethics.
I believe that “good luck” many times happens when hard work and good ethics are present.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3659 S MIAMI AVE STE 3005
Miami, FL 33133 - 11760 Bird Rd., Suite 610
Miami, FL 33175 - 10700 Caribbean Blvd., Suite 302
Cutler Bay, FL 33189 - Website: arheumatology.com
- Phone: 3058606260
- Email: calonso@arheumatology.com
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