Group Practice Tech

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we chat with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, LCSW of Medicare Consulting for Therapists about what to consider if you're thinking of selling your group therapy practice.

We discuss Gabrielle's personal experience selling her practice; how the market for selling a practice has changed since 2021; what types of practices are getting a lot of interest currently; who is buying group practices right now; what the process of selling looks like and where to start; valuing your group practice; working with a broker and an attorney; staying on during the transition; costs to keep in mind when selling; and questions to ask yourself if you're considering selling your practice.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Resources:

• Connect with Gabrielle Juliano-Villani for consulting and support around scaling & selling a group practice

PCT Resources:

• On-demand trainings (not designated as CE) presented by Gabrielle: Introduction To Medicare And Medicare Credentialing and Medicare Billing
• Group Practice Care Premium for weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation, Group Practice Office Hours, with the PCT team + Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC (monthly)
• HIPAA compliance, risk management, and practice optimization resources and support from PCT for mental health group practices

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we're discussing the scope of responsibility and liability for device security in group practice.

We cover what handling PHI means; device security measures for devices that touch PHI; a multi-prong approach to device security; Safe Harbor requirements; the benefits of having Safe Harbor in place; Safe Harbor and state data breach laws; the cost of implementing Safe Harbor on all devices.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

PCT Resources

• PCT article: Easy Steps to Ensure Safe Harbor: Implementing Technical Security Measures
• PCT podcast episode: Episode 332: To BYOD or Not to BYOD
• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • Device Security: assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • Remote Workspace Security: assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks and implement required safeguards.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we explain what goes into HIPAA security reminders, which are required under the HIPAA Security Rule.

We discuss our favorite resources for security reminders; our PCT security reminder memes for group or solo practice; documenting security reminders; why security reminders are more useful than annual training; and using current events to inform your security reminders.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Resources:

• Sign up for the OCR's listserv here
• Sign up for HealthIT Security's newsletter as well, which you can do here (the signup is in a box on the righthand of the screen)
• Sign up for Bruce Schneier of Schneier on Security's newsletter here

PCT Resources:

• PCT's free digital Security Reminder Posters
• Sign up for PCT's free Security Reminder Memes
• Assignable staff training: HIPAA Security Awareness Grab Bag
  • A collection of three short courses helping you maintain your security awareness through better handling of PHI in public, avoiding inappropriate disclosures, and preventing phishing and social engineering attacks.
• PCT podcast episode: Episode 412: Staff HIPAA Training in Year 2, and Beyond
• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we're covering the recent CrowdStrike update that impacted over 8.5 million Windows computers and what group practice owners can learn from this experience.

We discuss what happened with CrowdStrike; being proactive instead of reactive in regard to technology failures; critical operations; managing critical data backups; creating contingency plans for operational continuity; and the importance of practicing your contingency plans.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Resources

• Healthcare Leaders article: Healthcare Takes a Breath After Crowdstrike Scare

PCT Resources

• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.
• PCT's free Group Practice Service Selection Workbook & Worksheets Step 1 of the PCT Way -- support for selecting HIPAA-secure, effective, and economical services to meet your practice's functionality and operational needs

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we're chatting with Melissa Wesner about how to build community as a group practice.

We discuss Melissa's clinician community membership in Baltimore; a different approach to networking; dealing with isolation and burnout as clinicians; community and wellness needs; how to replicate this community group for clinicians in your area; self care as a business strategy; balancing life and business success; taking self-care off the back burner; and how to take action when you're feeling burned out.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Melissa Wesner is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Brainspotting Consultant, and Founder of LifeSpring Counseling Services, a group counseling practice in Maryland. She's also the host of the Dreaming and Doing podcast, a podcast for big dreamers and action takers.

• @lifespring_md (IG LifeSpring page)
• @melissa_wesner_ (Dreaming and Doing podcast IG page)
• @lifespringcounselingservices (FB page)
• lifespringcounseling.net
• dreaminganddoing.net
• Greater Baltimore area Clinician Community Membership (in-person) -- If people sign up by 9/15/24 using the code EARLYBIRD, their first month in the membership will be free.

• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we're talking about VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks.

We discuss when to use a VPN in a group practice context; how VPNs work; the VPN that we recommend, and why it's our go-to; and which plan we recommend for group practice (and when you need a higher level of functionality).

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

• NordVPN
• NordLayer
• NordLayer VS NordVPN: how are they different
• Tom's Guide: the best VPN of 2024

• Group Practice Care Premium
  • weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
  • + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.
• PCT's free Group Practice Service Selection Workbook & Worksheets Step 1 of the PCT Way -- support for selecting HIPAA-secure, effective, and economical services to meet your practice's functionality and operational needs

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we have updates to share about licensure compacts!

We discuss the Counseling Compact and the Social Work Licensure Compact; timelines to be aware of; the benefits of Compacts for group practice; which Compact will open up next; PSYPACT; options for LMFTs; and advocating to make your voice heard.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we're sharing information about updated HIPAA rules regarding privacy around discussions regarding reproductive health.

We discuss important dates to be aware of; the main bullet points of the Final Rule; the impact Notice of Privacy Practices; what is and is not acceptable to disclose, and when; understanding the implications of this rule; and related resources on this topic from PCT.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

• HIPAA Privacy Rule Final Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy: Fact Sheet

• HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy [Final Rule]

• PCT CE training: Law & Ethics Of Clinical Documentation For A Post Roe World (1 legal-ethical CE credit hour, on-demand training)

• Group Practice Care Premium

• weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours -- includes monthly session with therapist attorney, Eric Ström, JD PhD LMHC

• + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)

• + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)

• + more

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we explain when group practice owners should consider managed IT services.

We discuss practices that don't need managed IT services; what hands-on or managed IT services can look like; when managed IT services are a good fit for group practice; 3 ways to find an IT service that meets your needs as a group practice; how to vet a managed IT service; and added on services that aren't usually needed for group practice owners.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

• PCT's free Group Practice Service Selection Workbook & Worksheets Step 1 of the PCT Way -- support for selecting HIPAA-secure, effective, and economical services to meet your practice's functionality and operational needs

• Group Practice Care Premium

• weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours

• + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)

• + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more

• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.

Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we're updating group practice owners on the Change Healthcare breach.

We discuss recent guidance from the OCR (the Office of Civil Rights); how Change Healthcare is failing to meet their obligations as a HIPAA Business Associate and as a HIPAA Covered Entity; breach reporting requirements; 3 important pieces of good new for practice owners; how you can talk to clients about this; and whether we recommend preemptively reporting this breach on your own.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

• from HHS and the OCR: "Change Healthcare Cybersecurity Incident Frequently Asked Questions" -- see FAQ #6 in particular

• PCT CE Training: HIPAA Security Incidents & Breaches: Investigation, Documentation, and Reporting (1.5 legal-ethical CE credit hour on-demand, self-study video course)

• HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You'll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.

• Group Practice Care Premium

• weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours

• + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)

• + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more

• JD Supra Article & Podcast from healthcare attorneys: "What to Do When Your Business Associate Suffers a Ransomware Attack"

• Also see the Ransomware Breach Decision Tree

• Wired Article: Medical-Targeted Ransomware Is Breaking Records After Change Healthcare $22M Payout