Referrals
(July 2005
, Volume 1)
… Most states have passed laws that prohibit specified health care practitioners from paying or receiving any remuneration, whether in the form of money or otherwise, for the referral of professional clients. Ethical standards of professional associations contain similar provisions. Therapists and counselors should be aware of the applicable laws and standards in their respective states and should make sure that none of their financial dealings either directly or indirectly amount to offering or accepting payment of any consideration as compensation or inducement for referring patients.
Office rental or lease arrangements, where the amount to be paid is based upon a percentage of the gross revenues, may be problematic if the amount paid is not commensurate with the fair rental value of the premises leased and the landlord is referring clients to the lessee therapist.
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Referrals
(November 2005
, Volume 1)
… Don’t forget – referral of a patient or client to a physician for diagnosis or treatment of physical ailments or complaints may be necessary because of the circumstances of a particular patient. The failure to refer may be found to be a negligent omission – depending upon the facts of the case. Those who diagnose and treat mental disorders must always keep in mind that a referral to a psychiatrist for possible medication might often be appropriate. It is also useful to remember that referral to a physician for a comprehensive medical exam (perhaps just to rule out certain things) may also be appropriate. I remember a case where a therapist was in some considerable degree of difficulty for failure to refer to a physician during a course of treatment lasting several years. When a referral was ultimately made, the physician prescribed medication and the patient suddenly showed significant improvement. Prior to that, the patient was in therapy for years with little improvement.
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