Starting and Building a 21st Century Private (Independent) Practice Administrative Challenges...
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Starting and Building a 21st Century Private (Independent) Practice Administrative Challenges Richard Sethre, Psy.D., L.P..
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Transcript of Starting and Building a 21st Century Private (Independent) Practice Administrative Challenges...
Starting and Building a 21st Century Private (Independent) Practice
Administrative ChallengesRichard Sethre, Psy.D., L.P..
Topics reviewed:•Working with landlords and renting office space, Soundproofing;
•Computer security issues, EHRs;•The advantages of a paperless office;•Insurance issues;•Helpful ongoing resources.
Landlords and rental challenges•Landlords may or may not have an interest in the unique needs of a mental health office.
•The average office rental fee for the Metro area is $13.11.
•Decide whether to rent an office space on more than just the rent.
•Shop around.
Office renting challenges, con’t
•Soundproofing is crucial- brings someone with, or a radio, and test the soundproofing.
•Talk to other renters. •Keep in mind that you are likely to need to stay there a while (see MCO relocation issues).
Soundproofing issues
Most common problems:• False ceilings• Hollow walls• (the worst)
cheap hollow doors
Computer security
• If the landlord provides free wi-fi, use a VPN.• You MUST encrypt HPI on your computer.• Your business computer should be a “lean and clean”
machine- use it only for business functions, have as few programs installed as possible.
• Regular backups are imperative. • If you know what you are doing, ability to fall back on
backups is wonderful. • If you don’t know what you are doing, you can loose
everything due to operator error!
Free computer knowledge resources
• pcworld.com – several blogs• cnet.com/news/ • http://recode.net/category/security/• New York Times: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/• Wall Street Journal: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/• http://www.healthcareitnews.com/blog• www.mhconcierge.com blog
Electric Health Records• Very complex questions• Patient confidentiality• Security of data – eg, recend disclosure of problems
with storing data in the Cloud• Advantages: part of the new digital office, will be
mandated by many/most regulatory bodies in the near future, including ACOs and BHHs.
• MN- allows an exception – but do you want to be left out of the new practice opportunities?
The paperless office
Advantages:• Everything is digitally back up.• Less office clutter.Disadvantages (potential):• You need to be (a little) more disciplined –
strict workflow processes.• If you screw up, you can lose a lot of stuff.
Your new best friend
Epson Workforce Pro GT-S50Cost: about $350 Time saved per year: LOTS of HOURS
The paperless office, digital filing system• It is important to have a strict digital filing system:
• Master HPI folder• Subfolders, by year
• Subfolders, by patient• Subfolders, by each year patient has been seen
• Subfolders, service categories• Clerical• Coordination of care• Assessments• Progress notes (eg, 15, Last name, first name, date
Insurance issues• Malpractice – mandatory. • Business property insurance: protects small business owners from
losses due to damage to physical space or equipment and as a result of theft:
• losses resulting from a fire, lightning, windstorm, hail and explosion;
• other types of perils, such as a roof collapse (e.g. caused by snow or ice), riot and civil commotion;
Business liability insurance: bodily injury; damage to others’ property; personal injury, including slander and libel; and false or misleading advertising.
Ongoing resources- after you get started, resources to help you survive, and thrive in independent practice
•Peer consultation groups – highly recommended.•Listservs – highly recommended, but be wary of black-and-white statements- trust the flow over time. • MPA – DLPP, PDD• APA- divisions• [email protected]
Ongoing resources, con’t• Edward (not Ed) Zuckerman:
http://www.theclinicianstoolbox.com/• Ofer Zur, Ph.D., Zur Institute: http://zurinstitute.com/• http://www.practiceofthepractice.com/• Free writing tips from a local expert:
http://www.wilbers.com/• http://neuropsychnow.com/ (practice tips, not limited to
neuropsych)• [email protected]• http://psychcentral.com/
Ongoing resources: con’t
•https://tameyourpractice.com
•Ken Pope, Ph.D., a tremendous and highly reliable source: www.kspope.com•Posting service (not a listserv): [email protected]
Practice resource books
•“The Well-Managed Mental Health Practice,” by Donald Wiger, Ph.D.
•“Clinician's Electronic Thesaurus, Version 7.0: Software to Streamline Psychological Report Writing (w/ CD-ROM) (The Clinician's Toolbox)”, Edward Zuckerman, Ph.D. – and other books in the “clinician’s toolbox” series.
Ongoing resources: LinkedIn Groups• Minnesota Private Practice Professionals• Minnesota Therapists (1,000+ members)• Minnesota Counseling Association• Mental Health and Private Practice Marketing and
Management (national group, 22,000 + members)• MPA (no posting in least 3 months, one poster in 3
mo. prior)• Minnesota Weight Loss, Bariatric and Wellness
Behavioral Health Professionals Network
Discussion, questions, comments
•[email protected]•www.mhconcierge.com•MN MH Professionals Practice Resources interdisciplinary listserve•[email protected]
