| Rivon fee | $200 one time |
|---|---|
| State filing fee | Separate, passed through at cost (set by each state) |
| Included | Entity formation, EIN (tax ID) and registered agent for the first year |
| After year one | Registered agent renews at cost |
| Who it's for | 1099 contractors, locum tenens, telehealth clinicians, and new practices |
Why clinicians form an LLC
- 01Many telehealth, locum and contract roles pay you as an independent contractor (a 1099), not as an employee, so you are running a small business.
- 02An LLC keeps business money separate from personal money, with its own bank account and its own tax ID, so you don't hand out your Social Security number on every W-9.
- 03A practice that bills insurance as an entity contracts with payers under the entity's tax ID and a group (Type 2) NPI.
Setting it up the right way
- 01Use the right entity type. Many states require licensed health professionals to form a professional LLC (PLLC) or professional corporation, and some limit who can own a medical practice. We check the rules for your license and state before filing.
- 02Pick a name the state will accept. Professional entities often need a designator such as PLLC, and some boards have their own naming rules.
- 03Name a registered agent with an address in the state of formation to receive legal and state mail. Ours is included for the first year.
- 04Get the EIN in the entity's name once the state approves the filing, then open a business bank account with it.
- 05If you'll bill insurance as the entity, update NPPES and get a group NPI so your applications match.
What Rivon does
- 01Confirms the entity type your state and license require.
- 02Prepares and files the formation documents with the state.
- 03Gets your EIN from the IRS.
- 04Sets up your registered agent, first year included.
- 05Can continue into licensing, DEA, CAQH and payer enrollment for the new entity if you need them.
What we don't do
We don't give tax or legal advice. Talk to your accountant about how the LLC should be taxed (for example, whether to elect S corporation status), and to an attorney about ownership agreements or anything unusual about your practice.
Frequently asked questions
Who can help a doctor or nurse practitioner start an LLC?
Formation services, attorneys and accountants can all form an LLC. Rivon Health's specialists focus on clinicians: they check whether your state requires a professional LLC or professional corporation for your license, form the entity, get the EIN and set up the registered agent for $200 one time plus the state filing fee, and can continue into licensing and payer enrollment.
Do I need an LLC to work as a 1099 contractor?
No, you can work as a sole proprietor under your own name. Many clinicians form an LLC anyway to keep business finances separate and to use a business tax ID instead of their Social Security number. Your accountant can tell you whether it makes sense for you.
What's the difference between an LLC and a PLLC?
A PLLC is a professional limited liability company, the form many states require for licensed professionals such as physicians, NPs and dentists. Rules differ by state and license type, which is why we check before filing.
Does an LLC protect me from malpractice claims?
No. An LLC can separate business debts from personal assets, but it doesn't shield you from liability for your own professional care. You still need malpractice insurance.
How long does it take?
Each state sets its own processing time for formation filings, and the EIN is requested once the state approves. We file as soon as you sign off on the details.
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