How Vanish Advanced Vein Treatments Saved Over $240,000 in One Year While Scaling to 3 Locations
Why Marc and Dr. Denise Abernethy rely on the HPS community to stay “fiercely independent,” cut overhead, and confidently grow their practice.
MEET THE PRACTICE
VANISH ADVANCED VEIN TREATMENTS
- Owners: Dr. Denise Abernethy, MD, ABVLM, RPh & Marc Abernethy, MBA
- Locations: Southeast Wisconsin (Oak Creek, Brookfield, Mequon)
- Joined HPS: 2021
The Challenge: "You Don't Know What You Don't Know"
Starting a new vein practice from the ground up in 2018, Marc and Dr. Denise Abernethy faced the common growing pains of independent physicians. Being in the highly healthcare-system-driven market of the Milwaukee area, they wanted to remain fiercely independent—but that independence came with a steep learning curve.
Key Roadblocks:
High Overhead:
As a smaller practice, they were forced to pay premium pricing for essential supplies like Asclera and RFA catheters.
Operational Blind Spots:
Outgrowing their EMR, lacking formal HR/compliance structures, and navigating complex insurance contracts without a benchmark.
The "Island" Effect:
Feeling isolated when facing massive scaling decisions, such as tripling payroll or opening new clinic locations.
"There was a lot of 'we didn't know what we didn't know.' As you go through this, one of the challenges is you feel like you're on an island. You're trying to figure out EMRs, billing, and hiring all by yourself."
Marc Abernethy, MBA
The Solution:
A Four-Pillar Support System for Independent Growth
The Abernethys joined HPS in 2021 to connect with a band of independent practices. What started as a search for camaraderie quickly transformed into a major driver for their operational efficiency and bottom line. Marc credits HPS with delivering practice-changing value across four key categories:
Networking and Education
Through consistent monthly calls and the bi-annual summits, Marc and Dr. Denise stay sharp.
They connect with a national community of independent peers, ensuring they always have dedicated time to step back and work on their business, rather than just in it.
Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving
Growing a practice can feel like being stranded on an island, but HPS offers a lifeline.
When Marc decided to capitalize on a competitor closing by tripling his payroll and hiring five new staff members, he didn’t have to guess. He simply picked up the phone to validate his strategy with an HPS mentor who had already been there.
Direct Cost Savings
Gaining access to HPS’s negotiated group purchasing power instantly leveled the playing field.
By tapping into these exclusive contracts, Vanish Advance Vein Treatments drastically compressed their overhead, securing unmatched pricing on essential, everyday clinical supplies and EMR fees.
Tackling the "Unknown Unknowns"
Instead of spending hours negotiating contracts, Marc leans on HPS to act as a scout—vetting billing companies and analyzing patient payment platforms.
Beyond saving massive amounts of time, HPS introduces the practice to critical resources they didn’t even realize they needed, like the HR and compliance experts who helped them seamlessly navigate a surprise Medicare audit.
Learn How You Can Benefit - TODAY
The Results: Massive Savings & Exponential Growth
Starting a new vein practice from the ground up in 2018, Marc and Dr. Denise Abernethy faced the common growing pains of independent physicians. Being in the highly healthcare-system-driven market of the Milwaukee area, they wanted to remain fiercely independent—but that independence came with a steep learning curve.
By the Numbers (2025 Savings)
| Expense Category | Estimated Annual Savings |
|---|---|
| Foam | $50,000+ >$100k over 2 years |
| RFA Catheters | $120,000 |
| Athena EMR | $55,000 |
| Medical Supplies | Significant overhead reduction |
| Total Estimated | $240,000 – $275,000 |
Beyond the Balance Sheet:
- Compliance & HR: An introduction to Guiding HR through HPS helped Marc seamlessly navigate a Medicare audit and get his practice's compliance up to code.
- Time Savings: Outsourcing the vetting of vendors to HPS allowed Marc to focus on hiring and building out his new Mequon and Brookfield clinics.
"I write the check willingly to HPS every month. I get more value than what I'm paying... Not only is there cost savings, but there's time savings in the contracts, and the whole thing of 'you don't know what you don't know'."
Marc Abernethy, MBA
The Vein Practice Growth Summit: Reaffirming Your Vision
Twice a year, HPS hosts the Vein Practice Growth Summit. For Marc, it is a non-negotiable event for staying sharp and connecting with other owners facing the exact same challenges.
"Summits are great. Instead of working at my business, I really should be working on my business. It's a lot of great information, meeting people, and networking. I highly recommend the summit to non-members if they want to try before they buy."
Ready to stop feeling like you're on an island?
Whether you want to drastically cut your overhead or find the mentorship you need to scale, HPS is your partner in independent practice growth.