Ethics Of Private Practice: A Practical Guide For Mental...
Item Information | |
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Item#: | 9780199976621 |
Edition | 01 |
Author | Barnett Et Al |
Cover | Paperback |
On Hand | 0 |
Mental health professionals in private practice strive for clinical and financial success. Yet, there are myriad ethical issues and dilemmas awaiting every practitioner that serve as challenges to being successful for even the most clinically competent and savvy business persons. Some ethics
issues are obvious while others are more subtle and can undermine the best intentions of practitioners who have not prepared for these challenges. Graduate training programs in the mental health professions offer courses in ethics for their students, but few offer practical training in the
application of ethics to the business of practice. A resource focusing specifically on these challenges has been sorely needed.
The Ethics of Private Practice helps mental health professionals understand the essential ethical issues related to many of the challenges of being in independent mental health practice. Seasoned clinicians Barnett, Zimmerman, and Walfish offer readers astute insight to help them build a practice
that is designed to minimize unintended ethical violations and reduce associated risks. Each chapter focuses on a major aspect of the business of practice and incorporates relevant standards from the ethics codes of four mental health professions. Topics addressed include planning one's private
practice, successfully running and managing one's practice, documentation and record keeping, dealing with third parties and protecting confidentiality, managing practice finances and making financial decisions, staff training and office policies, advertising and the effective marketing of one's
practice, continuing professional development activities, and the closing of a private practice.
The authors discuss important questions such as: What do you do as a practitioner when your best referral source wants to become your client? What is appropriate use of social media? How should you respond when a managed care company denies authorization for treatment for a client that you know is
in obvious need of further treatment? Full of practical tips that can be readily implemented, The Ethics of Private Practice is sure to be a handy, go-to resource for mental health clinicians in private practice.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Starting Out: Ethics Issues in Beginning a Practice
Becoming Licensed to Practice
Accuracy and Integrity in Completing Licensure Applications
Supervision Prior to Licensure
Choosing a Practice
Practicing in Health Care Settings
Your Ethics and Legal Team
Location and Office Setting
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References
Table 1.1 The Supervisee's Checklist
2. Clinical Practice
Scope of Practice
Clinical Competence and Accepting Referrals
Wait Time and Waiting Lists
Understanding Informed Consent Assent
Exceptions to Confidentiality
Boundaries and Multiple Relationships
Additional Boundary and Multiple Relationship Challenges
Emergencies and Crises
Termination and Abandonment
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References
Sample Termination Letter
3. Documentation and Record Keeping
Documentation
How to Document
Financial Records
Use of Technology and Electronic Health Records
Records When More than one Person is Being Treated
Record Keeping, Storage, and Disposal
What Happens When a Client is Deceased
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References
4. Dealing with Third Parties and Protecting Confidentiality
General Policies
Special Situations
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References
Release of Information Checklist
5. Financial Decisions
Fee Splitting Practices
Setting Fee Scale Arrangements
Increasing Fees
Collections
Collection Actions
When a Client Does Not Want to Use Their Insurance
Medicare
Informing Clients About the Nature and Limitations of Their Insurance
Accurate Billing
Table 5.1 Accounts of Insurance Fraud by Mental Health Practitioners from an Internet Search
Not All Inaccurate Billing is Due to Fraud or Deceit
Information to be Communicated to Managed Care Companies
Denial of Care by an Insurer
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References
6. Staff Training and Office Policies
General Professionalism
Confidentiality, Confidentiality, Confidentiality
Delegation to Subordinates
Boundaries and Relationships
Security of Records and the Facility
Policies and Procedures: A Safety Net
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References
Ethics Quiz for Staff
End of the Business Day Lock-Up Checklist
7. Advertising and Marketing
Advertising and Public Statements
Testimonial Endorsements
Uninvited In-Person Solicitations
Marketing Professional Services
Interacting with the Media
Marketing in the Community
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References
8. Continuing Professional Development
Readings
Training
Use of Listservs
Peer Consultation Groups
Mentoring
Personal Psychotherapy
The Role of Self-Care, Burnout Prevention, and the Promotion of Wellness
Staying Aware of Local Laws, Regulations, and Changes
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References
9. Leaving a Practice
Notifying Your Group That You are Leaving the Practice
Telling Clients That You Will No Longer Be Practicing
Assuring for Continuity of Care
Informing Referral Partners
Maintenance of Records
Selling a Practice
Malpractice Insurance into Retirement
The Professional Practice Will
Business Issues
Ethical Challenges
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Practical Recommendations
Pitfalls to Avoid
Relevant Ethics Code Standards
References