Mental Health Code Of Ethics

The article, “Deliberate Misdiagnosis in mental Health Practice,” by Kirk & Kutchins, was written after analyzing a survey given to clinicians on under or over-diagnosing their clients. There are times when a clinician feels pressure to use a label that they do not believe is the best description of a person’s symptoms. The first one describe in this article is the pressure by insurance companies often require a diagnosis to obtain reimbursement for treatment. Other times, insurance companies will only cover certain treatment, so an incorrect diagnosis must be given so that the client will continue to receive treatment. One example I see often is that substance abuse treatment is not covered by TriCare (insurance used by military members and

Mental disorders are not harmful, they are harmful dysfunctions” (p. 131). When a client receives a diagnosis, it does not mean that client will have that diagnosis for the rest of their life. There is a misconception that when a client is diagnosed with a mental disorder, it becomes their identity. There are sufficient treatments, whether therapeutic or medicinal, that can assist the client overcome their disorder (Nash, 22). The most important thing a client can do is to separate themselves from their diagnosis.

Applying a diagnosis to a client’s profile has complications as well. The labeling of a client with a diagnosis related to mental illness can have negative effects on his or her self esteem and also result in insurance and employment issues (Mears, 2010). Without careful attention to issues of culture and social justice in a person’s life, responses to oppression can be improperly diagnosed (Mears, 2010). A woman who is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder without exploration into the fact that she is being sexually harassed at work would be an example of this issue.

Rising costs of healthcare is a valid concern for many households in America. A factor in the cost of healthcare insurance is fraud. Fraud is often very difficult to detect. The magnitude of healthcare fraud is unknown. Initial reimbursement and payment and billing timeframe of 90 days allows for fast payment of services, however, many times before there is an indication of fraudulent billing the company has closed up and moved on. Fraud in American healthcare, costs American’s millions perhaps even billions of dollars annually. Without doubt, behind every act of fraud lies a lapse in ethics. This paper will review several pieces of literature to look

In the mental health profession of counseling, therapy, psychology, psychiatric and social services ethical dilemmas are faced primarily on a daily basis. Being that mental health professionals are working with clients who are often fragile and vulnerable, they must develop an intense awareness of ethical issues. On the other hand, mental health professionals would never intentionally harm their clients, students or colleagues and others whom they work with. Unfortunately, good intentions are not enough to ensure that wrong doings will not occur and mental health professionals have no choice but to make ethically determined decisions. Depending upon the experience and expertise of the professional determines the outcome of the ethical

In my future social work career, it is imperative to be cognizant of my personal experiences and preconceptions regarding mental illness. As I participant in evaluation and diagnosis of mental illness, I will utilize a blank slate mentality. I will strive to prevent previous clients’ behavior, the individual’s current diagnoses, and personal judgments to cloud my diagnosis or interactions.

Autonomy. Hai’s mental state is altered with the manifestations of delusions and hallucinations making him incapable of deciding for himself. His ability to practice his autonomy and refusal of medical treatment is deemed invalid due to his mental illness.

There are at least 10 significant struggles and/or ethical violations discussed in the book. Read the book, choose three ethical issues or violations, and cover:

Ethical principles and virtues give mental health professions guidelines to follow to police their behaviors. Do no harm, respect autonomy, be just and pure excellences are some of the principles and virtues. Purse excellence is described in my textbook, Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions: Standards and Cases, as maintaining competence, doing your best, and taking pride in your work. (Koocher & Keith-Spiegal, 2008)

Fraudulent misrepresentation (fraud) is defined as the intentional deceit for personal gain (Clarkson, Miller, & Cross, 2012). Fraud occurs when a person knowingly represents an intentional deception as a fact to gain benefits they are not entitled. The boundaries between fraud and abuse seem to be confused; the degree of intent distinguishes fraud from abuse. Under HIPAA, it is considered a felony to intentionally implement a scheme to “defraud any health care benefit program or to obtain money or other property owned or controlled by a health care benefit program by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises” (Shepard, 2004, para. 1). Health care fraud is an intentional act to deceive in order to receive greater reimbursement for services, whereas health care abuse is conduct which is not consistent with acceptable

The section of the National Association of Social Work Ethics that will be discussed will be number four which includes Social Workers’ ethical responsibilities as professionals. This ethics code concentrates on a several different factors which include: 4.01 Competence, 4.02 discrimination, 4.03 private conduct, 4.04 dishonesty, 4.05 personal impairment, 4.06 misinterpretations, 4.07 solicitations, and 4.08 acknowledging credit.

Some federal statutes address fraud in government health care programs, and many of these laws vary considerably (Krause 2004). Some of these laws specifically target health care fraud. Example of the laws that the government direct at inappropriate health care activities includes the “Medicare and Medicaid Anti-Kickback Statute and Ethics in Patient Referrals Act (EPRA).”

Healthcare fraud and abuse are substantial influence related to increasing health care cost. In the face of the seriousness of fraud and abuse offenses, increasing numbers of healthcare providers is pursuing new and more lucrative procedures to build business relationships. In the aspect of following an unsafe practice in order to receive kickback is uncalled for and serves as further investigation is necessary. OIG ‘s mission is to protect the integrity of the HHS programs and the health and welfare of the people

Health insurance fraud is what drives up health insurance premium costs, wastes taxpayer’s money, but can also endanger beneficiaries or leave them uninsurable. In 2015, Medicare Strike Force reported over $700 million in false billing by doctors, nurses, other licenses medical professionals, laboratories, and individuals (FBI.gov). This is a staggering figure that is only getting worse. In this fictitious federal case I will be describing the criminal offender, the crime that was committed, the charge handed down by law enforcement, and the judicial process from the beginning of the criminal case to the sentencing of Dr. Richard Heartman, an internal medicine physician.

All social workers can attest that at some point in their career they’ve had a situation that was an ethical dilemma. They work with people who are experiencing some very difficult and sensitive situations, and there are instances where issues arise that put social workers in a difficult position in regards to ethics. Whether it be from conflicting responsibilities of a social worker or an issue that lies in an ethical gray area. Fortunately, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has a code of ethics for social workers that lays out what is expected and required of a social worker when dealing with a variety of issues. Also, since social workers are considered covered entities under the Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), they are also held responsible for protecting their clients’ health information. When faced with an ethical dilemma, if a social worker chooses to not follow the standards laid out by the NASW and HIPAA then they could face professional, and potentially legal, disciplinary actions.