Description
Book SynopsisThoroughly revised, this indispensable survival guide is written for anyone in practice by two attorneys specializing in the legal aspects of mental health care. The authors explain how to handle allegations of malpractice, coping with threats of violence, preserving client confidentiality, and more.
Table of ContentsSample Forms xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xvii
Section One Clinical Records: Protected or Not
1 Clinical Notes 3
2 Consent to Disclosure Forms 11
3 Correcting Errors 19
4 Discharge or Termination 26
5 Electronic Records 34
6 Intake and Consent Forms 43
7 Maintaining Records 66
8 Treatment Plans and Client Access to Records 77
Section Two Confidentiality
9 Couples, Family, and Group Therapy 95
10 Insider Information 102
11 Third-Party Payers 108
Section Three Contracts
12 Capitation Agreements 119
13 ‘‘Gag Rules’’ 126
14 Office Leases 134
Section Four Fees
15 Setting Fees 145
16 Sliding Fee Scales 152
17 Recovering Unpaid Fees 159
Section Five Forensic Issues
18 Abuse Allegations 169
19 Child Custody and Consent-to-Treat Issues 177
20 Children as Witnesses 186
21 Expert Witness 193
22 Forensic Evaluation 205
23 Involuntary Commitment 213
24 Threats of Violence 220
Section Six Practice Models
25 Groups 233
26 Partnerships 240
27 Solo Practitioner: Incorporate or Not? 247
Section Seven How to Avoid Malpractice Charges
28 Acts of Commission 261
29 Acts of Omission 270
30 What to Do If You Are Sued 281
Section Eight Managed Care
31 Confidentiality Issues 289
32 Duty to Appeal 298
Section Nine Teamwork
33 Legal Aspects of Delegating 307
34 Supervisor/Supervisee Responsibilities 311
Section Ten Unusual Practices
35 Geriatric Clients 321
36 Nontraditional and Exotic Therapies 329
37 Internet Therapy 336
38 Social Media 351
Section Eleven Federal Regulations, HIPAA, and HITECH
39 HIPAA Overview 359
40 HIPAA Privacy Rule 361
41 Personal Representatives (45 CFR 164.502(g)) 376
42 Business Associates (45 CFR 164.502(a)(1–4), 164.502(e), 164.504(e), 164.532(d) and (e)) 382
43 Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations (45 CFR 164.506) 390
44 Disclosures for Public Health Activities and Workers’ Compensation 398
45 Marketing and Research (Accounting for Disclosures) 404
46 Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information (45 CFR 164.520) 413
47 Restrictions on Government Access to Health Information (45 CFR Part 160, Subpart C; 164.512(f)) 418
48 HIPAA Security Rule 422
49 The HITECH Act (42 U.S.C. Chapter 156) 439
Appendix A Bylaws for an IPA 447
Appendix B Partnership Agreement 461
Appendix C Articles of Incorporation: Professional Corporation 465
Appendix D Articles of Incorporation: General Corporation 469
Appendix E Certificate of Formation of a Professional Limited Liability Company 473
Appendix F Professional Limited Liability Company Member Agreement 475
Appendix G Sample Business Associate Contract 481
Appendix H Business Associate Contract (Attorney Services) 490
Appendix I Authorization for the Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information 498
Appendix J Client Information Amendment Form 499
Appendix K Notice of Privacy Practices of Susan A. Jones, LPC 501
Appendix L Accounting of Disclosures of Protected Health Information 506
Appendix M Request for Accounting of Protected Health Information Disclosures 507
Appendix N Authorization Revocation Form 508
References and Reading Materials 509
Author Index 513
Subject Index 515
