They say that nothing worth doing comes without risk - and when you run a private practice, creating safeguards can feel like a full-time job. Avoiding pitfalls is inevitable, but greatly reduced with proper preparation. This November, APTA Private Practice will explore HIPPA compliance, insurance, ethics, and labor laws. Murphy’s Law states “If something can go wrong, it will.” This month’s In Focus recognizes the wisdom of this adage and aims to mitigate risk by staying one step ahead. 

 

Beyond the Treatment Table (November/December)

Beyond the Treatment Table: Member Spotlight

Dec. 4 | 1–2 p.m. Eastern | 10–11 a.m. Pacific

Connect with peers, celebrate the community we’ve built, and network in a fun, relaxed setting. We’re closing out the year with a special Beyond the Treatment Table session featuring a panel of private practice owners who have been active participants in this series. This interactive conversation will spotlight their experiences, lessons learned, and perspectives on the business of physical therapy. Whether you’ve joined us before or this will be your first time, don’t miss your last opportunity of 2025 to see what Beyond the Treatment Table is all about.

Member Panel: Drew Morgan, PT, Owner McMaster Physical Therapy Clinic (Conway, AR), Jessie Klein,PT, DPT, Owner Willow Pelvic Health (Hoboken, NJ), Neisha Wetzel, PT,DPT Owner, Advanced Physical Therapy Solutions (Raeford, NC)

Register Here Today! 

 

Live Web Events

Protect Your Practice: Know When You Need Patient Authorization for Release of Records - Earn CEU Credit (0.1 CEU/1 CCU/Contact Hour)!

November 4, 2025 | 7:00pm EDT | Virtual 

Speakers: Mary Daulong, PT, CHC, CHP, Alicia Mahoney, PT, CHC, CHP

Navigating the legal landscape of patient records release can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be. This course empowers physical therapists and practice owners and business office personnel with the knowledge to confidently determine when a patient’s authorization is legally required for the disclosure of clinical and billing records.

Through real-world scenarios, including subpoenas, court orders, attorney demand letters, and workers’ compensation requests you will learn how to assess each situation and apply the correct procedures. We will break down HIPAA regulations and provide clear, actionable guidance to help you stay compliant, protect patient privacy, and safeguard your practice.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Evaluate the content of the record request to identify if patient authorization or alternative administrative procedures are necessary.
  • Distinguish between a subpoena and a court order in the context of HIPAA's Use and Disclosure regulations.
  • Describe the role and requirements of HIPAA's satisfactory assurances in situations where patient authorization is unavailable.

On Demand Learning

Industry Partner Webinar: HIPPA for PTs: Strategies to Stay Compliant and Stress-Free - Earn CEU Credit! (0.1 CEU/1 CCU/Contact Hour)

Recorded Live: June 2025

This APTA Private Practice Industry Partner webinar is provided by Rectangle Health. By registering for this course and claiming this free CEU credit, the learner agrees to share their contact information with the sponsor. A 70% score is required to pass this test and claim CEU credit. You will be given up to 3 chances to retake this quiz. 

Equip your physical therapy practice with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of HIPAA compliance. Join this informative session to gain valuable insights into the evolving regulatory landscape, learn practical strategies to secure your data, and stay ahead of compliance challenges. We'll cover the latest enforcement trends, cyber threats like ransomware and deep fakes, and provide 10 essential tips to future-proof your practice. 

Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your compliance efforts and safeguard your practice!

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify evolving cyber threats and ransomware attacks
  • Recognize common misconceptions in HIPAA compliance management
  • Apply 10 essential tips to secure protected health information (PHI) and determine who qualifies as a business associate
  • Examine enforcement trends for HIPAA violations and implement required HIPAA training

Measure Your Practice

Understanding the balance between revenue and costs—especially your true cost per visit—is vital to practice success. The APTA Private Practice KPI Benchmarking Program helps members track and compare key financial and operational metrics. Each year, participants submit their data in February/March and receive in April both individualized and aggregate reports, with benchmarks by practice size, region, and care model. These reports reveal how your revenue, costs, and efficiency measures stack up against peers nationwide, giving you clear insight into financial health and profitability.

Consultant Directory

Do you need assistance optimizing your compliance program?  There are experts who can help! Use the APTA Private Practice Consultant Directory to find an individual who can help you address your business needs.  Search by category to find individuals to meet your needs, and then contact those individuals directly.

2025 Annual Conference – Legal, Ethics, and Compliance

This track offers in-depth sessions led by industry experts, providing practical guidance and actionable strategies to help you protect your practice, navigate complex regulations, maintain ethical standards, and deliver the highest level of patient care with confidence.

Thursday, Nov. 13

 

Friday, Nov. 14

 

The APTA 2025 Annual Conference offers 10 different learning paths with over 80 educational sessions. Explore every track to get the most out of your conference experience!

 

Impact Magazine

This month, Impact is bringing the sparkle of the disco era to your reading list—complete with bold moves, bright lights, and smooth grooves. But beneath the glitz, we’re keeping our focus sharp on what really matters: protecting your practice. Our feature on physical therapist risk mitigation breaks down strategies to help you minimize liability, safeguard patients, and keep your business—and your reputation—on the right track. Get ready to boogie with confidence, knowing you’ve got risk management covered.

  • "Marketing Column -  Disco Ball: Reflecting on Your Marketing ROI
  • Quick Fix/Quick Fix Pro - Sexual Harassments Policy Ideas
  • Feature #1 - Preventing the Hustle: Creating a Cyber Security Plan
  • "Feature #2 - Sunday Night Fever: Managing Callouts
  • Feature #3 - Staying Alive: Three Ways to Survive Your First Year in Business
  • "Feature #4 - "Getting Groovy with AI: EMR and AI....can this really work?""
  • Payment/Legal/Compliance: What to Do If an Employee Sues You