May is Mental Health Awareness MonthWhen you think about your health, your thoughts are probably about a healthy heart, liver, or other important organs or organ systems. But being healthy and feeling well also includes a well-balanced mind. Holistic medicine considers the whole person – body, mind, spirit, and emotions – in the pursuit for optimal health and wellness. If people have imbalances (physical, emotional, or spiritual) in their lives, it can negatively affect their overall health.

That’s why with this month’s newsletter we are joining ‘Mental Health America’ in inviting you to take the #4Mind4Body Challenge – click here to read the full article by Mental Health America.

Memorial Day

Red, White and Blue will span the landscapes of American cities Memorial Day weekend as flags are placed on the graves of fallen soldiers. But it wasn’t always called Memorial Day — it used to be known as Decoration Day. Red poppies are known as a symbol of remembrance, and it remains a tradition to wear them to honor those who died in war.

This year Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 28th – TheraManager DocuTrac will be closed in observation of this day as we honor the deceased veterans of all the wars fought by American forces. We will reopen on Tuesday the 29th at 9:00 AM ET. We hope you have an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day.

It’s All About the Cloud

CONVENIENT: You have easy, secure access to your patient data anywhere, anytime as long as you have an internet connection.

WORRY-FREE: It includes automatic backups, automatic updates and disaster recovery.

COST EFFECTIVE: No need to purchase or maintain your own server.

Call 877-206-1181 now and get the first month for FREE!

HIPAA Continues Even When a Business Closes

Many of our retiring clinicians continue using our HIPAA compliant cloud hosting for years after retirement. HIPAA was brought into effect in 1996 to safeguard protected health information and it still applies to a business even when it closes. How patient files are handled after an office closes, whether they are on paper or in electronic form, is often the question. If not handled in compliance with HIPAA, this can lead to investigation or possibly litigation as happened in the case of Filefax, Inc., located in Northbrook, IL – click here to read more.

How should you handle or dispose of PHI? Please click here to access the HHS site for more information.

Sharing Mental Health Information with Caregivers

Sharing health information is strictly regulated by HIPAA, especially when it comes to very sensitive information such as in Mental and Behavioral Health. On the other hand, in cases where patients suffer from a mental health condition or substance use disorder, information may have to be shared with caregivers to ensure the best treatment of the patient.

When and under what circumstances is it appropriate and permitted by HIPAA to share PHI?

Please click here to access the complete article on the HHS web site.

This ‘decision tree’ by the HHS (click here) may be a helpful tool if posted in your office.