At the AAPA 2025 Conference, CM&F Group hosted a dynamic panel titled “Taking Your Shot: The Entreprenurial PA.” The session was packed with energy, inspiration, and practical advice from pioneering PAs who are breaking barriers and building businesses across the healthcare landscape.
Moderated by William Sullivan, JD, LL.M in Health Law and EVP of CM&F Group, the conversation centered around the why, how, and what’s next of PA entrepreneurship. Below is a recap of the discussion, followed by real-world advice and resources to help PAs launch their own ventures.
Meet the Expert Panel: PAs Leading the Way in Entrepreneurship
Chris Cannell, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA
President of The Academy of PAs in Legal Medicine (APALM)
Chris brings decades of experience in emergency medicine, orthopedics, and healthcare consulting. As a subject matter expert in medical legal affairs and clinical education, his leadership in organizations like APALM and MAPA gives him unique insight into how PAs can expand into consulting, legal testimony, and expert witness work. His passion lies in empowering PAs to explore non-traditional roles where their clinical expertise provides significant value.
Tracy Bingaman, MSPAS, PA-C
Career & Business Coach | Host of The PA Is In Podcast
Tracy is a fierce advocate for PA autonomy and fulfillment. Through her podcast and coaching business, she’s helped thousands of PAs reimagine what their career can look like—whether that means launching a business, stepping into leadership, or finding balance in clinical practice. Tracy blends practical advice with mindset strategies, making her a go-to voice for entrepreneurial and career-driven PAs.
Phoebe Gutierrez
Co-Founder of Single Aim Health
Phoebe is the co-founder of Single Aim, a physician-led marketplace simplifying collaboration agreements and regulatory navigation for clinicians. With over 15 years in healthcare strategy and compliance—including 10 years as a California state regulator—she brings deep expertise in breaking down barriers and helping providers build sustainable, independent practices.
Why More Physician Assistants Are Choosing Entrepreneurship
Each panelist had a unique story that sparked their entrepreneurial journey:
Chris Cannell turned a malpractice experience into a mission to improve PA support through legal consulting and expert witness work. He now mentors others to thrive in the medical-legal space.
Tracy Bingaman left surgery after a moment of burnout with her daughter triggered a major life shift. Her podcast and coaching business now guide PAs to redefine their careers on their own terms.
Phoebe Gutierrez, a product strategist with deep experience in healthcare compliance, saw firsthand how many clinicians were burning out in W2 roles. Her startup, Single Aim, helps clinicians safely launch private practices.
Top 3 Takeaways for Physician Assistants Starting a Business
- Start Small but Take the First Step Toward Your PA Business
All three panelists stressed that you don’t need a huge budget to begin. Many PAs start with as little as $5,000, using just a laptop, a virtual assistant, and HIPAA-compliant software.
Side hustles are a great launchpad. Whether consulting, offering telemedicine, or creating digital content—there’s a low-cost way to test the waters.
- You Already Have What It Takes to Launch a PA Practice
If you’ve been practicing for 5+ years, you likely have the knowledge and experience to go out on your own.
Common entrepreneurial PA paths include:
- Legal consulting
- Coaching or educational services
- Concierge and telehealth medicine
- Aesthetic practices and wellness clinics
- Functional or integrative care
- Psych via virtual practice
- Why the Next 5 Years Are a Turning Point for Entrepreneurial PAs
With more full-practice authority states, compact state laws, new telehealth laws, and growing dissatisfaction with traditional systems, PAs are uniquely positioned to lead.
The panel predicted huge growth in the following specialties:
- Psychiatric/mental health services
- Lifestyle and obesity medicine
- Cash-pay primary care
- IV hydration, MedSpas, and aesthetics
- Virtual-first startups and fractional contracting
How to Start a Business as a Physician Assistant: 5 Essential Steps
- Form Your LLC to Protect Your PA Business
Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is often the first official step to starting your business. It protects your personal assets by legally separating you from the business—so if your business is sued or incurs debt, your home, car, or savings aren’t on the line. It’s also the easiest structure to manage for solo healthcare professionals. - Get Business Insurance to Protect Your Practice
Through CM&F’s partnership with HUB and The Hartford, you can access small business insurance tailored to healthcare professionals. This includes general liability for slip-and-fall claims, commercial property to cover your space and equipment, business income protection, and cyber coverage for patient data. It’s a simple way to protect your practice and your peace of mind. - Get Professional Liability (Malpractice) Insurance for PAs
Malpractice insurance (aka professional liability insurance) is non-negotiable in healthcare. Whether you’re seeing patients in person or virtually, this coverage protects you from lawsuits or board complaints related to your clinical work. CM&F offers fast, affordable digital coverage designed specifically for entrepreneurial PAs. - Find a Supervising or Collaborating Physician to Stay Compliant
Depending on your state laws, you may need a supervising or collaborating physician. These partnerships don’t need to be a barrier—services like Single Aim help match PAs with licensed physicians quickly so you can get your business up and running. - Understand Startup Costs for a PA-Owned Business
The barrier to entry is lower than you might think. With just a laptop, HIPAA-compliant software, and the right insurance, many PAs can start consulting, coaching, or offering virtual care for under $5,000. Start lean, validate your business, and reinvest as you grow.
The Future of PA Entrepreneurship
This panel proved that the future of the PA profession is bold, innovative, and business-minded. As Tracy put it, “Build something that works for you—that’s scalable and still means you can be home when your kids get off the bus.”
Watch the full panel recording here.
CM&F Group has protected entrepreneurial PAs for over 25 years. Whether you’re launching a private practice, working per diem, or consulting, our coverage grows with you. Click here to get a quote or learn more to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can a Physician Assistant start their own business? Many entrepreneurial PAs start small by forming an LLC to protect personal assets and establish a legal business structure. From there, they secure business and malpractice insurance, set up HIPAA-compliant systems, and begin offering services such as telemedicine, consulting, or aesthetic care. Starting lean—with as little as $5,000—is often enough to launch a successful PA-owned business.
- Do Physician Assistants need malpractice insurance if they own a business? Yes. Professional liability insurance, also known as malpractice insurance, is essential for all practicing PAs—including those running their own business. This coverage protects you against claims of negligence, board complaints, or lawsuits arising from patient care. CM&F Group offers affordable, tailored malpractice insurance designed specifically for entrepreneurial and self-employed PAs.
- What are the most popular business ideas for Physician Assistants? Today’s PAs are building businesses in a wide range of areas, including telehealth, concierge medicine, functional or integrative health, psychiatric care, and medical aesthetics. Other fast-growing opportunities include legal consulting, career coaching, and virtual-first healthcare startups—all of which allow PAs to leverage their clinical expertise in new, independent ways.
