TAMFT - Ethics Advisor

Question:
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. One of my supervisees sees a family doing individual and family therapy with them. I do not do therapy with the family but have supervised the therapy. The supervisee wants me to sign the insurance form. What should I do?

Answer:
It is clearly unethical and fradulent for someone who has only supervised therapy to sign as the primary therapist. It is wrong for anyone signing an insurance form to misrpresent facts regarding services rendered. Laws and regulations of each state should be consulted in regard to this.To avoid any charges of fraud or unethical conduct, the capacity of each person signing an insurance form should be clearly identified. The appropriate title should be written on the form such as "Supervising Therapist" and "Primary Therapist".
Source:"Guidelines for Billing Insurance Companies and Other Third Party Payor", American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Question:
As the owner of a private practice, I contract with individuals who use my extra space. I charge them a percentage of their income for rent, and that works really well for both of us. I'm wondering if I can be held liable for any of their unethical actions under this arrangement.

			Tennessee Association for Marriage & Family Therapy

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		Ethics Advisor
	Visit AAMFT's Ethical Practice Information Page Question: I am a licensed marriage and family therapist and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. One of my supervisees sees a family doing individual and family therapy with them. I do not do therapy with the family but have supervised the therapy. The supervisee wants me to sign the insurance form. What should I do? Answer: It is clearly unethical and fradulent for someone who has only supervised therapy to sign as the primary therapist. It is wrong for anyone signing an insurance form to misrpresent facts regarding services rendered. Laws and regulations of each state should be consulted in regard to this.To avoid any charges of fraud or unethical conduct, the capacity of each person signing an insurance form should be clearly identified. The appropriate title should be written on the form such as "Supervising Therapist" and "Primary Therapist". Source:"Guidelines for Billing Insurance Companies and Other Third Party Payor", American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Question: As the owner of a private practice, I contract with individuals who use my extra space. I charge them a percentage of their income for rent, and that works really well for both of us. I'm wondering if I can be held liable for any of their unethical actions under this arrangement. Answer: 1. Even if you have a contract with a person that states you aren't their employer or supervisor, you must avoid the "look" of practicing as a group. Things such as brochures with all therapists listed would be examples of "holding yourself out" to be a group practice. 2. Checks should be written directly to the therapist, rather than to the practice name. Nothing should be run through the central bookkeeping.