Episode 42 - Essential Risk Management: DEA Compliance & Insurance for Ketamine Clinics

Episode 42 podcast cover featuring Dennis A. Wichern and Canyon Clifton discussing DEA compliance and insurance for ketamine clinics

Retired DEA agent reveals audit triggers while an insurance expert shares costly coverage mistakes. Essential compliance and protection strategies every ketamine clinic owner needs to know.

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Running a ketamine clinic? Clinical skills alone won't cut it. You also need to protect your practice from regulatory and financial landmines.

In this compilation episode, two experts break down the complex world of DEA compliance and insurance coverage for ketamine clinics. Whether you're about to open your doors or already treating patients, understanding what triggers regulatory scrutiny and how to properly protect your practice isn't optional - it's critical.

Our guests reveal the most common mistakes clinics make and share practical strategies to keep your practice safe, compliant, and protected. We've combined insights from two full-length episodes to give you concentrated wisdom on the business foundations every ketamine clinic needs.

Featured Experts

Dennis Wichern - Retired DEA Special Agent in Charge and founder of Prescription Drug Consulting. Dennis spent over three decades with the DEA, including ten years focused specifically on pharmaceutical controlled substance compliance. He now helps healthcare providers understand DEA regulations and maintain proper compliance.

Canyon Clifton - CEO of Clifton Insurance Agency, a professional liability and high-risk niche market insurance corporation founded in 1982. Canyon has spent over two decades designing elaborate professional liability and medical malpractice policies for healthcare providers across the US.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

  • The 3 red flags that trigger DEA audits and how to avoid them

  • The #1 insurance mistake ketamine clinics make (and how to verify coverage)

  • Real claims data: What actually happens when things go wrong

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or on your favorite podcast platform. Watch the discussion on YouTube here.

Episode 42 show notes:

  • 00:00 Teaser - The DEA are Humans too.

  • 00:20 Introduction & Episode Overview

  • 01:51 Dennis Wichern

  • 02:01 The 3 Red Flags That Trigger DEA Audits

  • 05:16 State-Level DEA Enforcement Differences

  • 08:37 Biannual Inventory Requirements & What to Do If You Missed Them

  • 09:39 The DEA's Human Side

  • 10:48 Witnessing Requirements for Small Clinics

  • 13:47 Canyon Clifton

  • 13:57 The #1 Insurance Mistake Ketamine Clinics Make

  • 14:59 Where to Find Coverage Details in Your Policy

  • 17:03 Why Insurance Applications Matter (They Become Part of Your Policy)

  • 18:39 How the Insurance Landscape Has Changed for Ketamine Therapy

  • 20:00 Admitted vs. Non-Admitted Insurance Carriers Explained

  • 23:29 The Top Insurances Your Ketamine Clinic Needs

  • 25:54 Ending & Resources

    Thanks for listening

Listen to each of their full conversations:

Episode 023 - Mastering Clinic Compliance: Insights from Retired DEA Agent Dennis Wichern

Episode 034 - Ketamine Clinic Insurance: Expert Insights with Canyon Clifton

Connect with the experts:

Dennis Wichern

Prescription Drug Consulting Website

LinkedIn

Email: dennis.wichern@prescriptiondrugconsulting.com

Phone: (312) 859-2430


Canyon Clifton

Clifton Insurance Agency Website - Mention “Ketamine StartUp” and receive FREE quotes & exclusive policy discounts.

Phone: 877-212-4368

Clifton Insurance Agency | LinkedIn

Clifton Insurance Agency | Instagram

 
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Episode 41 - Pioneers Who Challenged Medical Orthodoxy: Howard Kornfeld, Joe Tafur & Mel Herbert