Buying or selling a practice comes with costs that don’t show up on a balance sheet. Beyond the purchase price, transitions often uncover compliance gaps, misclassified employees, outdated policies, vendor risks, and benefit promises that quietly inflate the true cost of the deal. In this episode of the Compliant AF Podcast, Kara Kelley (Clinical HR) and Amy Wood (Copper Penny Consulting) break down the hidden HR, HIPAA, and cybersecurity expenses that surface before - and especially after - closing, and explain why waiting until the paperwork is signed is the most expensive mistake practice owners make.

Key Takeaways

• When to bring in HR and HIPAA/cybersecurity support on the front end of a transition

• Why vendor contracts, antivirus, backups, and access controls can’t wait until “after closing”

• How compliance gaps change the true cost of a practice, including payroll surprises like misclassified hygienists and unpaid mandated leave

• Why “just use the seller’s handbook” and recycled onboarding packets are a trap (hello, expired I-9 forms and policies written for the wrong office)

• What brokers, CPAs, and even attorneys often don’t ask — and the questions that should be asked anyway

• How to handle legacy perks, inflated wages, PTO promises, and benefit changes without detonating morale

• The mindset shift that matters most: you can redecorate later, but nobody audits your paint color

Bottom line - when HR, HIPAA, cybersecurity, and employment obligations are treated as afterthoughts, the true cost of the transition shows up later in audits, complaints, and avoidable risk. This episode delivers a clear-eyed look at what actually matters, so practice owners can protect the investment, set the team up for success, and move forward without inheriting someone else’s mess.

Downloadable Resource

Smooth Handoffs Transition Questions

Email compliantafpodcast@gmail.com

Kara D. Kelley, SHRM-SCP, SPHR As a Fractional HR Business Partner to dental leaders and healthcare executives, Kara specializes in HR compliance, workforce strategy, leadership development, and helping practices build systems that are both compliant and sustainable. She is also a nationally recognized speaker, author, and coach.

Amy Wood Founder of Copper Penny Consulting, Amy is a nationally respected HIPAA, cybersecurity, OSHA, and compliance expert serving dental and healthcare practices. Known for her no-nonsense approach to vendor risk, technology, and real-world compliance, Amy helps practices reduce risk without overcomplicating operations.

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or medical advice. Listening to this episode does not create a client relationship with the hosts or their companies. Laws and regulations vary by state and situation; practices should consult with qualified legal, financial, HR, compliance, and cybersecurity professionals regarding their specific circumstances.