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Founded in 1992, the American Institute of Balance (AIB) and the AIB Education Foundation are internationally recognized by healthcare professionals, consumers and managed care organizations alike as the leading providers of vestibular and equilibrium evaluation, treatment and education.
Under the leadership of founder and Executive Director Richard E. Gans, Ph.D., AIB has evaluated and treated more than 30,000 patients, while the AIB Education Foundation has provided post-graduate education to more than 5,000 audiologists, physicians and physical and occupational therapists worldwide.
Leveraging their expertise and reputation, AIB and the AIB Education Foundation have developed the Affiliation-Certification-Education (ACE) Programs. Featuring three steps of professional association, these programs offer vestibular and equilibrium service providers a centralized resource for clinical training, continuing education, and practical business administration.
THE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
The Need for a Branded National Network
 AIB developed the Affiliate Program in response to the overwhelming need for a branded national network of vestibular and equilibrium service providers. The comprehensive Affiliate Program is a culmination of the first major steps of professional association with AIB: Education and Certification.
The diagnosis and treatment of equilibrium disorders is a rapidly growing market within the medical services delivery system. In fact, dizziness is the third-ranked complaint heard in doctors’ offices for all patients and the number one complaint for patients over the age of 65. Increased life expectancies and an aging Baby Boomer generation indicate that this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
While dizziness and balance disorders are prevalent, patients have not historically received treatment with any significant degree of success. Common pharmaceutical therapies are often administered as the result of ineffective diagnostic resources. Many times, patients, physicians, and managed care organizations are unable to easily identify qualified service providers and recognized systems of treatment centers. Until now, the market for assessment and treatment was highly fragmented.
Why Become an AIB Affiliate?
AIB affords Affiliates the opportunity to provide exceptional patient care while utilizing demonstrated systems for operating successful, profitable businesses. AIB’s proven protocols for properly evaluating and diagnosing balance disorders facilitate effective treatment strategies, which result in fewer patient visits, lower therapy-related costs, and higher clinical success and patient satisfaction rates.
As a result, managed care organizations are rewarding those service providers who offer successful treatments within established financial guidelines with continued support and attractive reimbursement policies.
The Power of the AIB Brand
AIB Affiliates receive a new brand identity, which quickly enhances credibility and prestige within the medical and managed care communities. Affiliation is also a strategic business opportunity due to the significant possibilities for increased revenues. Members can enjoy reduced operating costs within their practices by using many fixed diagnostic and therapy expenses, and by maintaining strategic alliances with a proprietary equipment manufacturer.
Affiliate benefits include:
• Identification with a respected healthcare brand.
• Use of the AIB portal, www.dizzy.com. This portal is widely used by patients and health care professionals and features a national locator system to educate patients about your practice.
• Quarterly Pearls on these pertinent topics:
o Working with managed care and contracting for diagnostic audiologic and vestibular testing
o Billing and coding issues with diagnostic audiologic and vestibular testing
o Physician education, marketing and professional relations
o Clinical practice updates
• Year-round programs for senior and support staff on diagnostics, treatment, and the business of balance; offered through the AIB Education Foundation.
o Discounts on existing courses
o Exclusive Affiliate courses
• Certification to ensure the highest level of patient care and proper professional practice.
• Availability of Remote VNG Interpretation and Report Writing Support.
• Exclusive patient and physician education materials:
o Customized print collateral –
• Physician’s newsletter
• Physician’s marketing kit (article summaries, letters for developing referrals, etc.)
• Patient education brochures
Customized physician and patient Power Point presentations.
• Special offers on VNG instrumentation and balance therapy equipment.
Affiliate Requirements
• Possess an earned degree in audiology, medicine or physical or occupational therapy. Affiliates are categorized based on their areas of specialty:
o Audiologist
o Physician
o Physical therapist
o Occupational therapist
• Have earned certification by the AIB Education Foundation.
• Meet the required clinical standards.
• Complete the Affiliate network licensing agreement and the annual contract.
Additional Exclusive Affiliate Benefits
• Business Development –
You will receive assistance in the start-up planning, development, marketing and implementation of a successful balance service within your practice or facility. Dr. Gans’ 25 years of experience in the management of freestanding, hospital and institutionally-based centers provides you with the information and expertise that you need to succeed.
Fee for service.
• Business Management Support –
This service offers you ongoing assistance in the management of your balance center, including marketing, personnel management and billing and coding, to ensure your clinic’s success.
Requires an annual contract.
• On-site Consultation-Promotion-Education –
Dr. Gans or another AIB senior staff member will visit your facility for consultation, promotion of your service to physicians or health plans, and educational programs for the medical or lay communities.
Fee for service.
• Clinical Support Services –
AIB provides ongoing assistance for reviewing patient history and clinical data (VNG, VEMP, etc.). Interpretation of test findings to assist clinicians with triage and management is also available. Each patient receives a proprietary report using the AIB Clinical Pathway protocols.
Requires an annual contract.
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