Ethical Billing Issues and Dilemmas - Week 7

Question 1

HEALTHCARE REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES AND UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR

Answer 1

• Can result in billing fraud and overutilization of services
• The largest portion of ethical conflict in rehabilitation clinicians comes from health care reimbursement pressures and a corporate culture that expects financially driven treatment decisions

Question 2

APTA CODE OF ETHICS

Answer 2

• Principle #1: Physical therapists shall respect the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals.
• Principle #2: : Physical therapists shall be trustworthy and compassionate in addressing the rights and needs of patients and clients.
• Principle #3: Physical therapists shall be accountable for making sound professional judgments. ****

• Principle #4: Physical therapists shall demonstrate integrity in their relationships with patients and clients, families,
colleagues, students, research participants, other health care providers, employers, payers, and the public.

• Principle #5: Physical therapists shall fulfill their legal and professional obligations.
• Principle #6: Physical therapists shall enhance their expertise through the lifelong acquisition and refinement of knowledge, skills, abilities, and professional behaviors.
• Principle #7: : Physical therapists shall promote organizational behaviors and business practices that benefit patients and clients and society.
• Principle #8: Physical therapists shall participate in efforts to meet the health needs of people locally, nationally, or globally