FOR REFERRING CLINICIANS
Case coordination & secure email
For clinicians who want to establish an ongoing, HIPAA-appropriate channel with Iron Ridge — whether for a specific active referral, a shared client, or a general coordination relationship.
What counts as secure email
Standard consumer email (a client's Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.com account) is not appropriate for PHI. For clinician-to-clinician exchange we accept:
- TLS-enforced clinician email. Most established practice email (SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, Google Workspace HIPAA plans, Microsoft 365 with BAA) enforces TLS in transit. If yours does, we can exchange PHI directly with intake@ironridgerecovery.com.
- Encrypted email services. Paubox, Virtru, ProtonMail Business, Hushmail for Healthcare. We accept messages from any of these.
- Portal-based messaging. If your EHR supports outbound portal messaging to a clinician email, that channel is HIPAA-appropriate.
- Fax back-channel. Available on request; we will provision a secure fax number for the referral if that is your standard workflow.
Send a coordination email
Click below to open your email client with a pre-composed setup message to intake@ironridgerecovery.com. Fill in your details, review, and send.
If your email client does not open automatically, copy intake@ironridgerecovery.com and use subject line: Case coordination setup -- referring clinician.
ROI workflow
Iron Ridge uses a bidirectional ROI (Release of Information) for every case coordination relationship. The client signs one form authorizing both directions of information flow — you send us clinical context; we send you intake and discharge summaries. This is provided at admission along with the admission agreement.
If you want a copy of our ROI template in advance of a referral so you can review it or discuss it with your client, request one via the coordination email above.
What happens next
- You send the coordination email above.
- Ian Birdwell (LPC, CSAT) or our intake coordinator replies personally from a TLS-enforced address.
- We confirm which secure channel we will use going forward and, if a specific client is involved, exchange the bidirectional ROI.
- Ongoing case notes, intake summaries, and discharge summaries flow through the confirmed channel — no re-negotiation each time.
How the co-care model divides the work with you →
Ready to refer a specific client instead? Use the referral form →
Frequently asked questions
How does Iron Ridge coordinate with referring providers?
With the client's consent and a signed release, we coordinate on treatment planning, progress, and the step-down back to outside care. Iron Ridge is a level of care, not a replacement for the referring clinician.
Do I need a release of information to coordinate?
Yes. Nothing about a client's care is shared without a signed ROI in place.
Will my client come back to me after the program?
That is the intended path. The eight-week arc is designed to hand back to outside care with a continuing-care plan rather than to absorb the client permanently.
How do I send protected health information securely?
Only over a secure channel — TLS-enforced email, a portal, or an existing case-coordination workflow. If your email is not TLS-enforced, send the referral without PHI and we will call you back on a secure line.
Can I speak to the treating clinician directly?
Yes, with a release in place. Call (512) 877-8616 to arrange it.