Is your practice prepared to be closed due to emergency, disaster, illness, death, or retirement? 

© ICANotes 2020

Steps for creating an emergency plan

Types of information that need to be included in an emergency plan

Why a professional will isn't enough

Why our Code of Ethics and HIPAA require contingency plans 

What are the top telehealth legal issues you should know about? 

As a behavioral health provider, you’re already very familiar with the legal issues of credentialing, reimbursement, malpractice insurance, and more. But how does providing online video visits to your patients affect your legal policies? While the benefits of telehealth programs are clear, providers implementing telehealth in their practices need to understand the legal implications and how to minimize their risk.

Rob Reinhardt

LCHMCS, M.Ed., NCC and CEO

Rob Reinhardt has his own successful counseling practice and is CEO of Tame Your Practice. Known for his expertise in reviewing and recommending EHRs for therapists, Rob previously worked in Information Technology for over ten years and has lived around technology his entire life. With a comprehensive mix of technology, clinical, and business experience he can provide consultation and coaching regarding all facets of private practice.

Mental health clinicians are so busy caring for others that tending to the business aspects of their practice is a challenge. Despite emergency planning being required by our Codes of Ethics and HIPAA, it is often overlooked or not addressed thoroughly. Without a comprehensive plan (a Professional Will is not enough!), those left to pick up the pieces are often directionless. Details like contacting patients, billing for work, or accessing Electronic Health Records and other computer systems can significantly hamper closure and transition. With proper planning and organization, a greater crisis can be avoided.

This presentation will focus on the who, what, where, why, and how of creating a transition plan. More than just a professional will, a transition plan considers any reason that might cause a counselor to be unable to continue seeing their clients. This could be due to the death of a family member, extended illness, disability, moving out of state, retirement, or any number of other reasons. An effective transition plan must include all the information necessary for another qualified professional to ensure continuity of care for clients. This presentation will teach mental health clinicians how to construct such a plan, ensuring that their clients are cared for, no matter what circumstances arise. Also discussed will be the process of identifying an Emergency Response Team, those who will take over for the clinician should the need arise.