AcuSprout: Acupuncture Podcast

How do you make sure your website is ADA compliant? That is a huge question with multiple answers and hazy guidelines. In this episode I (Stacey) unpack the topic with attorney Rachel Schumont of Counsel For Wellness, located in California. 

I was recently strolling thru Facebookland looking to see if there was anything interesting and topic worthy to dig into with the podcast when I saw that one of the Facebook Aculanders was being sued for ADA non-compliance on his website. He is a solo practitioner. Not a large corporation. It lit the acu-twitterland on FIRE! There were SO many offers of information and help but no one really had any definitive answers or solid solutions other than to hire an attorney. I genuinely think everyone wanted to help him but let’s be real, we really don’t want THAT to happen to us either! 

I have been working with Rachel on a series of podcasts to present this Spring about all things legal in an Acupuncture practice. Luckily for us, she was willing to do some digging and able to offer up some education for this podcast. 

FIND RACHEL HERE:
INSTAGRAM @COUNSELWELLNESS
COUNSEL FOR WELLNESS WEBSITE

• The ADA is one of America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life -- to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in State and local government programs and services. (www.ada.gov)
• Healthcare providers, even solo practices can be sued for ADA non-compliance. (Yes, you too.)
• The best way to ensure your site is compliant is to hire an expert to do an audit. 
• Your best practice is to align with WCAG. You can take a look at the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) here. Then, when you can’t understand what the F*** they are talking about, go ahead and hire that expert.  
• It is uncertain if your malpractice insurance will cover this if you get sued.You need to check with your carrier.
• Widgets are good but they are not the firewall you are looking for. (See above. Hire an audit.)
• Rachel discusses what happens when you get sued. What can those fines look like and will you have to hire an attorney? (If you are deaf, please reach out to me and I will send you a transcript of the show.) 

• All things ADA.  
• All things WCAG. 
• Counsel For Wellness 

• If you appreciate this podcast, please leave a review on apple podcasts.  Don’t do it for me. Do it so other Acu’s can also access this info!

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!

Have you thought about how you want to present this medicine to the world? I mean, YOU are the artist of your own life, right? Do you even know the medium of your best communications? Do you write, perform, sink your toes in the mud, ask challenging questions that other people would never utter, or do you sing, do yoga, meditate, or cook? What is the best expression of you that isn’t actually you? 

While I cannot crawl through the curious mind of my next guest, I can see how she hiked through the natural world of her own inner landscape to gain a clear expression of what her practice of Chinese Medicine would become. You definitely want to check it out. Her website truly is just an extension of her personality and her newsletters are full of hidden puzzles where curiosity is rewarded with amazing little adventures. Seriously, if you want an example of a newsletter done fun, go sign up! Listen in and enjoy the journey!

REGAN GOODRICH MSAOM, LAC., LMT., OWNDER OF SEED ACUPUNCTURE, PORTLAND OR.

Hello! My name is Regan Goodrich. I'm an acupuncturist and massage therapist by trade and a true believer in the human spirit. My hope is to inspire active participation in daily existence, to shift the mundane to something sacred. One million stars had to explode in the exact order in which they did for us to be here and that means you were made for this.

Seed was born from the idea that you already have everything you need to be your own hero. Imagine a giant sequoia tree swaying in the breeze. It all started as a tiny seed, finally taking root under optimal conditions to become its true, majestic form. My mission is to create an experience where you can explore and occupy your body in order to nurture your own unique seed, helping you to root down + sprout into your authenticity, health and well-being. This medicine is slow, steady and celebrates the cycles of life; expansion + contraction.

 I use a wide variety of modalities including acupuncture, electro acupuncture, bodywork, herbs, food choices, and movement suggestion to nudge your qi into a dynamic balance. I'm excited to meet you and can't wait to see where our journey will take us.

• Why Regan left a contractor position to work for herself.
• Regan explains her patient flow and what she likes about it.
• Let’s talk expansion at year 3. From 3 comes the 10,000 things.
• It is SO important to have someone hold your balloon strings while you get going. Having support is key.
• Starting with a completely blank slate after school? Maybe go to work for someone and learn the business.
• Hang in there, this is a long game!

• QuickBooks
• Applied Channel Theory (book) *
• CM&F (malpractice insurance)
• Unified Practice
• Evergreen Herbs (Chen Family)
• *"This is an affiliate link and I earn from qualifying purchases. It does not cost you anything to use the link, this is just how I am able to support this podcast and continue to create helpful content.

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!

 This podcast is for the new practitioner, student or someone transitioning from contractor to business owner. In this episode I dish up your second serving of , “open a clinic pie”. Yep! A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down! There is absolutely NO WAY you can avoid this dish.  This acupuncture practice stuff requires a special balance. Here we are working on Yin within Yang. This episode is all about the things within the business that make it turn.
YOU’LL LEARN

• I launch with special thanks to my support team and all of the 2020 podcast celebrities on my show.
• Here is the link for the Qiological podcast. You are going to love it!
• Here are the next 5 things to do: BUT WAIT! If you haven’t listened to episode 013 do that first.
• 1.)  Get Malpractice Insurance 
  • https://www.cmfgroup.com/professional-liability-insurance/acupuncturist-insurance/
  • https://www.miec.com/acupuncture/
  •  http://www.hpso.com/individuals/professional-liability/malpractice-insurance-for-acupuncturists-coverage
  
  
• 2.)  Choose an EHR
  • JaneAPP   
  • AcuSimple  
  • Unified Practice  
  • Or you can be old fashioned and use paper. Just be sure to understand the HIPAA regulations regarding the safekeeping of those files.
  • Check out GoogleWorkspace. (*Affiliate Link) You are going to need a HIPAA compliant email address anyway. Keeping records here may be a good way to start if you can figure out how to sign the documents. 
  
  
• 3.)  Set up your Books (options)
  • Hire a bookkeeper to keep your books OR hire a bookkeeper to set them up and teach you how to do the things.
  • In episode 012, Travis Kearn suggests you learn how to set your books up with Hector Garcia CPA on youtube to learn the ropes. I agree. 
  • Then you can check out the online bookkeeping on GoDaddy. Or Check out QuickBooks if you need a bookkeeping system on steroids.
  
  
• 4.)  Hire an Accountant
  • Ask other Acupuncturists who are similar to you who they use. A word of mouth referral is going to yield the best possible outcome.
  • Go for a consultation. Is their office organized? Are they timely? Good Shen? (LOL)
  • If you are confused at all, walk away. They should be able to explain everything clearly and have a nice little “to do” schedule for you.
  
  
• 5.)  Pick a Domain Name
  • I like Hover. Or you could go with GoDaddy here, just don’t choose GoDaddy for both your website and your domain name.
  • * Some of the links on this page are affiliate links.If you purchase through an affiliate link there is no additional cost to you and often there is actually a discount. I may receive a small commission from the sale.
  
  

Mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is ONLY for the new practitioner, student, or seasoned acupuncturist who may be transitioning to business owner or independent contractor position. In this episode I teach you exactly what steps you need to take as you are finishing up your boards. Most of us can’t wait to get out and start practicing when we graduate, but have no idea that there are a gazillion boxes to tic off before we can even find a snazzy place to call, “Office”.  I am going to attempt to put them all in order for you so that you don’t have to muck around in the, “in between space” for very long. 

I am going to give you a little heads up. SLOW DOWN! This transition is going to take way more patience than you anticipate. There might be delivery jobs, bartending, Alaskan fishing, massage therapy, or any other job in the “in between space”.  Accept it. It kinda sucks and might not be what you had planned on happening. Hang in there! Stay in action and keep jumping through the hoops.

You are basically tilling the soil my AcuSprout friend! Has to be done before you put down those roots!

• I actually start off with a little reminder to check into your state licensing process. My hope is that you do this while you are a student. If it never occurred to you, you need to check NOW! Some states have approval boards that may only meet a couple times a year.
• 1.)  Register your business. (Independent Contractors and Practice Launchers.)
• 2.) Get your Employer Identification Number (EIN) 
• 3.)  Open a Business Bank Account 
• 4.)  Apply for a Business Credit Card
• 5.) Talk to your Banker about a Business Line of Credit

PICK UP THE DETAILED SHOW NOTES HERE.

• That’s it! Don’t worry! There will be a follow up with the NEXT 5 pain in the ass things to do, soon!
• CALL TO ACTION
• Direct Message me on INSTAGRAM. Have questions? I’m happy to help!

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!

In this episode I chat with Travis Kern LAc., one of the founders of  Root and Branch in Portland, Oregon. This is the story of how he and his business partner Travis Cunningham LAc., braved the system and launched a brick and mortar Herbal Pharmacy that serves practitioners all over the country (US),  in filling our patient’s herbal prescriptions.  

TRAVIS KERN LAC. CO-FOUNDER OF ROOT AND BRANCH IN PORTLAND OREGON

Growing up in New Orleans as the son of a dietitian and in a very social household, Travis K. has always had a keen interest in the components of good living, namely food, drink, and community. He trained as a professional chef and had his first career in catering and restaurants. Travis uses his culinary training in the creation of herbal medicines, relying on a deep understanding of how plants and minerals change with heat and manipulation. Now with his training in Chinese medicine, he is able to channel that Southern passion for the good life into the research and design of life-changing medicines for people in need.

FIND HIM HERE:

• www.rootandbranchpharmacy.com and if you are in Portland, stop by the shop and say hi. We always love to meet practitioners and talk to them about what we do and how we can help practitioners do what they do better.   
• QUESTIONS? 971-288-5939 (They are super helpful with herby questions! I call them often.)
• Instagram @rootandbranchpdx

• Travis explains the multitude of offerings Root and Branch has and how they can help new practitioners fill scripts for their patients.
• The Genesis of Root and Branch is laid out in detail.
• Do you know what the three most valuable business principles are? Listen in and find out.
• How to win friends and influence the surrounding businesses with community service.
• The most valuable way to get new patients is still the friendly BBQ. (Well, maybe not right now….2020.)
• Do you know what the MOST important character asset is that will keep your doors open? This is BIG!
• Yes, you can become your own bookkeeper, and you probably should! We talk about how.
• Travis shares the inside scoop with how the Travis’s were able to open shop, and how they managed that risk.
• Lastly you, yes you, ARE ENOUGH! So do the thing!

• Get $25 in store credit when you set up a new practitioner account at Root and Branch. Here is your special link!
• (This is an affiliate link. There is no cost to you, but I may earn a small commission. I only affiliate with businesses that I truly believe in.)

• Bookkeeping youtube videos Travis watched to learn how to set up the books.
• I mention the book I am reading. The Power of Self Confidence, by Brian Tracy. It’s a great read.

• Call someone and tell them you love them. That’s all. Life is too short to not tell people how awesome they are!

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!

 What if you could have exactly what you want in life? How will you get there? You can’t get from point A to point B without a map. Same with your life. This podcast isn’t anything new or special. It is a simple prompt, a nudge and a reminder that in order to achieve great things you have to have a plan. I encourage you to listen and then take action and begin planning. Have some crazy dreams and then have some boring rudimentary goals. This life of yours is your canvas. You get to choose. Set your intentions and then get into action. Then, fall in love with the process. Someday I want you to come back to me and say how your badass goals at the end of 2020 launched your dream!

In this episode of Mindset Monday I discuss:

• How important it is to evaluate the past before you launch new goals for your future.
• I do a deep dive on S M A R T goals. An acronym to help you process your goals and help you move forward.
• The questions to ask yourself when you feel like quitting.
• Should you share your goals?
• Do you need a plan “B”?
• Where you should start.

• Schedule a couple hours to set your goals for the upcoming quarter or year.
• Head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review!

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!

 You can play on social media all you want, but if your website isn’t sharp you may be losing out on potential patients. Building a following on social media is like building a house on rented land. Your website is your house. Make it tight and the right patients will find you. After that, you can use social media to get them to your door. Let’s get to work and spruce up your website.

• The 5 Must Have Pages every clinic practice should have.
• How to map your website out.
• How to attract your ideal patients with your website.
• What you should have, “Above the Fold”.
• The special sauce recipe of how to go 2.0 with your website.

• Check out the website here for an example of providing a nice resource in exchange for an email address.
• Don’t be shy! Scoop it up!

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!

 We talk about intention so often in Chinese Medical School. Prior to treating that patient you need to have a clear intention, and you get there by doing a full evaluation, diagnosing and then formulating a plan. 

In business, our VISION is our INTENTION. It is the seeing before the doing. It is about getting clear on where we want to go, how we affect our community, how we want to do things, who we want to attract and how we want to behave. It’s the voice that guides the internal workings of your company, whether that is just you, or your staff of 20 employees. It is the quiet OM of your business which unites all parts into a cohesive entity.

In this episode of Mindset Monday Stacey discusses:

• A quick review of Values, Mission Statement and redirection in case you want to start at the beginning.
• What is a vision statement?
• The top reasons you need a vision statement.
• How to define your company vision.
• Ben and Jerry’s provides an amazing example!
• I break down my AcuSprout vision.

• Work sequentially through the Mindset Monday Series here.
• Have you listened to the latest interview about taking motor vehicle cases? It’s a way to financially sustain your practice. Listen here.
• Share the podcast with a classmate or fellow Acupuncturist!

SHOW NOTES 

• You can find them here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!

 I have such a huge fear of getting in a car accident that it actually launches me into at least level 3 anxiety every time I drive. We hit a deer when I was six years old and I was in the front seat. (I am old, y’all.) I still remember it in detail.  The car was totaled, all on my side. I was okay, or was I? 

• Have you been in a car accident and had to receive medical care? 
• Did you know that auto insurance is one of the only full insurance payers left? 
• Did you know that 1-2 MVA cases a month can cover your overhead? 
• Did you know that you are totally capable of helping these people?

Enter Acupuncture. Our medicine is holistically perfect to heal this kind of physical and emotional trauma. Listen in and learn how you can help!

​DR. GEOFF GENESS, DC, LAC

Geoff Geness is one of the few dual licensed Chiropractors in Oregon, practicing both chiropractic and acupuncture to best meet the needs of his patients,  As a anatomy and physiology instructor, as well as structural diagnosis and orthopedic testing lecturer, he brings enthusiasm and clarity to the study of objective case management and evidence-based treatment of traumatic injuries.  He has been practicing CAM medicine since 2007, and teaches a diverse group of undergraduate through post graduate students preparing for careers in healthcare.   

"My understanding of anatomy from a bio-mechanical perspective informs the way I treat, and Chinese medicine allows me to treat the mental and emotional aspects of people to promote overall health. I improve the mobility of joints and muscles, thereby improving function and reducing pain, and enjoy guiding people back to health by educating them about themselves. I use acupuncture to directly and discretely touch the nervous system, and promote organ system health through herbal formulations. By approaching each person in relation to structure, chemical balance and energetics I strive to quickly address their concerns and improve their health.”

FIND HIM HERE: SPARKASHLAND.COM

• How to cultivate patient leads.
• Steps patients need to take to get coverage.
• How to provide a solid evaluations.
• Key points in treating MVA patients.
• Important documentation tips.
• The most important things to know about billing a MVA case.
• How to navigate coordination of care with other practitioners.
• When to re-evaluate and close a case.

GET YOUR FREE GUIDE TO TAKING MVA CASES HERE.

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!

MINDSET MONDAY
 Are you having trouble making all of the decisions? There are SO many choices to make as a new practitioner? How do you stay focused and pick a path? How do you get patients in your door??!!
In this episode we continue to build the foundation of your future with  a quick check in on the list of values you culled out Episode 006. Your values will help you make decisions and save your Spleen and time, in moving forward. Then we dive into your mission statement and why it is THE most important message on your website.
You will learn:

• How to use your values to create a mission statement.
• The recipe to a great mission statement.
• How it is going to draw your dream patients to you.
• The four key elements to ensure it stands the test of time.

CTA:

• Send me your mission statement at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

Schedule your 15 minute bookkeepping consultation here!