Code Standards 5 and 6 Flashcards
Question ID #12079: A client’s insurance company pays 75% of a client’s therapy fee, while the client is required to pay the remaining 25%. The client asks you to bill the insurance company at a higher hourly rate so that he will not have to pay his 25% co-payment. If you do so, you will be acting:
Select one:
A.
illegally and unethically.
B.
illegally but ethically.
C.
legally but unethically.
D.
legally and ethically.
The correct answer is A.
Billing the insurance company at a higher rate so that the client does not have to make his co-payment would be insurance fraud (unless, of course, the insurance company has approved this arrangement, which it is not likely to do). This action would be unethical and illegal.
Answers B, C, and D: Misrepresentation of your fee to the insurance company represents fraud and is, therefore, both illegal and unethical.
Question ID #12092: A psychologist sets up a private practice in a lower middle-class urban neighborhood. After several months, he realizes that his lack of clients is due primarily to the fact that most of the residents of the neighborhood cannot afford his hourly fee. He therefore decides that he will include in future advertisements a statement indicating that his services are provided on a “sliding scale.” This practice is:
Select one:
A.
clearly unethical since sliding scale fees are prohibited by ethical guidelines.
B.
clearly unethical since including information on fees in advertisements is prohibited by ethical guidelines.
C.
clearly unethical since advertising professional services is prohibited by ethical guidelines.
D.
in accord with ethical guidelines.
The correct answer is D.
This question addresses two issues—advertising and fees. Sliding scale fees are ethically acceptable as long as fee arrangements are made clear from the onset of treatment and the fee policy is fair and non-exploitative. Advertising one’s professional services and fee policy are also acceptable.
Answer A: Sliding scale fees are not prohibited.
Answer B: Advertising fees is not prohibited.
Answer C: Advertising professional services is not prohibited.
Question ID #12681: When attempting to expand your private practice, it is important to keep in mind that in-person solicitation of business:
Select one:
A.
is unethical in all circumstances.
B.
is unethical only when the solicitation includes misleading or coercive information.
C.
is ethical only when the person being solicited is not receiving similar services from another professional.
D.
may be ethical if the person being solicited is not susceptible to undue influence.
The correct answer is D.
This issue is addressed in Standard 5.06 of the APA’s Ethics Code. Standard 5.06 states that “psychologists do not engage, directly or through agents, in uninvited in-person solicitation of business from actual or potential therapy clients/patients or other persons who because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence. However, this does not preclude (1) attempting to implement appropriate collateral contacts for the purpose of benefiting an already engaged therapy client/patient or (2) providing disaster or community outreach services.” Of the answers given, this one is most consistent with Standard 5.06.
Answer A: This is not true.
Answer B: This is not the only factor that would make this action unethical.
Answer C: Solicitation may still be unethical in this circumstance.
Question ID #12688: You have made an arrangement with another psychologist to exchange a nominal payment of $25.00 for referrals to each other. In terms of the requirements of the APA’s Ethics Code, this is:
Select one:
A.
ethical since the Ethics Code does not prohibit referral fees.
B.
ethical as long as the clients are informed of this practice at the outset of therapy.
C.
unethical if the payment of $25.00 is based on the referral only.
D.
unethical if the payment for the referral represents more than 25% of the fee paid by the client.
The correct answer is C.
Referral fees are addressed in Standard 6.07 of the Ethics Code. Standard 6.07 states: “When psychologists pay, receive payment from, or divide fees with another professional … the payment to each is based on the services provided (clinical, consultative, administrative, or other) and is not based on the referral itself.”
Answer A: This is not true.
Answer B: Such a disclosure would not make the action any less unethical. ‘
Answer D: The percentage is not a determining factor.
Question ID #12689: According to the APA’s Ethics Code, psychologists should discuss fees and other financial arrangements with clients:
Select one:
A.
during the initial phone contact.
B.
during the first therapy session.
C.
as early as is feasible.
D.
at the psychologist’s discretion.
The correct answer is C.
Fees and other financial arrangements are addressed in Standard 6.0 of the Ethics Code. This answer is the best one of those given because it contains the exact language of Standards 6.04 and 10.01, which both address the discussion of fees with clients.
Answers A, B, and D: Fees should be discussed as early as is feasible.
Question ID #12690: Which of the following best describes the requirements of the APA’s Ethics Code for bartering?
Select one:
A.
Bartering for goods (but not services) is acceptable.
B.
Bartering for services (but not goods) is acceptable.
C.
Bartering for goods or services may be acceptable under certain conditions.
D.
Bartering for goods or services is prohibited in all circumstances.
The correct answer is C.
Bartering is addressed in Standard 6.05 of the Ethics Code. Standard 6.05 states that “psychologists may barter only if (1) it is not clinically contraindicated, and (2) the resulting arrangement is not exploitative.” For additional information about bartering, see the discussion of Standard 6.05 in the Ethical and Professional Issues chapter of the written study materials.
Answer A: This is not true.
Answer B: Both may be acceptable under certain circumstances.
Answer D: Bartering is permitted under certain circumstances.
Question ID #12691: A client you had been seeing in therapy for two months suddenly stopped coming to her sessions. You have been unable to contact her by phone and she owes you for the last three sessions. You are thinking about using a collection agency to collect her outstanding fees. In terms of the requirements of the APA’s Ethics Code, the use of a collection agency is:
Select one:
A.
always unacceptable.
B.
acceptable only as a “last resort.”
C.
acceptable as long as you discussed your policy with her at the beginning of therapy and she agreed to it.
D.
acceptable as long as you inform her of your intent and give her an opportunity to pay her outstanding fee before doing so.
The correct answer is D.
The use of a collection agency to obtain outstanding fees is addressed in Standard 6.04(e) of the Ethics Code. This answer is most consistent with Standard 6.04(e), which states that, “if the recipient of services does not pay for services as agreed, and if psychologists intend to use collection agencies or legal measures to collect the fees, psychologists first inform the person that such measures will be taken and provide that person an opportunity to make prompt payment.” Since the psychologist was unable to contact the client by phone, it is acceptable to mail a letter informing the client of their intent to use a collection agency, therefore allowing them an opportunity to pay the outstanding fees. This would be in accordance to the Ethics Code.
Answers A and B: This is not true.
Answer C: This would be advisable but is not the only condition that would make this action acceptable.
Question ID #12692: Your former client, Caleb Cash, has failed to pay the balance of an unpaid bill. Although you have given Caleb numerous opportunities to respond to your written requests for payment and have informed him of your intention to turn this matter over to a collection agency, he has not made any attempt to resolve this matter. One day, you receive a call from another therapist who is currently working with Caleb. She asks you to forward a copy of Caleb’s records and faxes you a copy of a signed release from Caleb. She informs you this is an emergency. According to the APA’s Ethics Code, you:
Select one:
A.
must comply with the therapist’s request since Caleb has signed a release.
B.
may withhold Caleb’s records until he pays his outstanding bill.
C.
must comply since his records are needed for emergency treatment.
D.
should explain the situation to the therapist and ask her to tell Caleb to contact you.
The correct answer is C.
This issue is addressed in Standard 6.03 of the APA’s Ethics Code. Standard 6.03 states that “psychologists may not withhold records under their control that are requested and needed for client’s/patient’s emergency treatment solely because payment has not been received.”
Answer A: This is not a true statement. You must comply as it represents an emergency situation, not simply because Caleb signed a release.
Answer B: This is not a true statement. You would need to comply if the records were needed for emergency treatment.
Answer D: There is nothing to explain to the therapist. Since this is an emergency situation, you must comply.
Question ID #12698: Dr. Terry Tawlk includes two testimonials in a brochure describing his weekend communications workshop for couples. The first is from a colleague and states, “Communication is a key to a happy marriage and Dr. Tawlk is one of the leading experts on communication. If you feel you can’t talk to your partner, I’d recommend Dr. Tawlk’s workshop. It’s likely to have a positive effect on your relationship.” The second testimonial is from a former workshop participant who said Dr. Tawlk could use an excerpt from a letter she sent him following the workshop that she and her husband attended. It states, “It worked! I can now tell my husband what I need without it turning into a major argument!” Which of the following is true about the testimonials included in Dr. Tawlk’s brochure?
Select one:
A.
They are both unethical since testimonials are prohibited under any circumstances.
B.
The testimonial from the colleague is unethical but the testimonial from the former client is acceptable.
C.
The testimonial from the former client is unethical but the testimonial from the colleague is acceptable.
D.
The testimonials do not seem to violate the provisions of the Ethics Code and are acceptable.
The correct answer is D.
Standard 5.05 of the Ethics Code does not prohibit the use of testimonials but prohibits psychologists from soliciting them from “current therapy clients/patients or other persons who … are vulnerable to undue influence.” The testimonials described in this question do not violate the provisions of Standard 5.05.
Answers A, B, and C: The testimonials described in this question do not violate the provisions of Standard 5.05 because a) the client writing the testimonial is a previous client b) the course of treatment was time-limited and in a group teaching context. Thus there is little to no evidence showing Dr. Tawlk had “power or undue influence” over the client.
