Insurance Companies Just Care About Profits and I Care About My Patients, So It Is OK to Bend the Rules to Get Paid

Abstract

It may be easy to think that because insurance companies are so profitable it is acceptable to engage in ethically or legally questionable practices to ensure that clients receive needed treatment services and that one is paid at the level one thinks appropriate. Mental health clinicians should remember the ethics of their profession and always act in keeping with this. Further, it is important to fulfill all contractual obligations agreed to with insurance companies. This chapter explains these obligations, the challenges and dilemmas that commonly arise, and ways to respond to them in an ethically appropriate manner. The ethical pitfalls that commonly arise when working with insurance companies are explained, and specific recommendations for avoiding these pitfalls are provided. Further, guidance is offered on how to assess key elements of contracts with insurance companies so that thoughtful and informed decisions can be made about participation with these companies before difficulties are experienced.