Ethical Decision Making: Coding and Compliance Dilemmas for Speech-Language Pathologists

Purpose Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are nationally credentialed health care professionals with the responsibility to conduct clinical activities and business operations ethically, legally, and with a high level of integrity. What are the ethical and legal responsibilities of being a credentialed professional? This clinical focus article provides an overview of relevant federal laws that govern waste, abuse, and fraudulent billing behaviors and highlights some of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's professional policies that characterize speech-language pathology practice standards, govern professional integrity, and guide ethical decision making. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's 2018 document, Issues in Ethics: Misrepresentation of Services for Insurance Reimbursement, Funding, or Private Payment , will be applied to professional coding and compliance dilemmas unique to SLPs who provide and bill for behavioral and qualitative evaluations, instrumental assessments, and therapeutic intervention for individuals with voice and upper airway disorders. Conclusion Every practicing SLP has the professional and ethical responsibility to seek the latest information on payment systems, coding changes, and reimbursement updates regardless of practice setting or the population served.

Download Full-text

Using Policy to Encourage and Direct Moral Behaviors

International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training ◽

10.1123/ijatt.2016-0018 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 38-46

Author(s):

Michael B. Hudson

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Ethical Decision ◽

Ethical Decision Making ◽

Athletic Trainers ◽

Code Of Conduct ◽

Professional Behaviors ◽

Moral Beliefs ◽

Ethical Violations ◽

Moral Behaviors

It can be challenging deciding how to resolve personal and professional dilemmas, and the dilemmas that athletic trainers and athletic therapists experience are no different, if not more complex, than the dilemmas other health care professionals experience. The moral behaviors individuals demonstrate with these dilemmas come from their experiences; however, moral beliefs may not always coincide with professional obligations and ethics. The purpose of this article is to examine factors that influence decision making for athletic trainers and athletic therapists to identify and describe policies for guiding moral behaviors in the workplace. These key policies include education in ethical decision making, developing a workplace code of conduct, communicating policies regarding professional behaviors, appraising accepted values and behaviors in the workplace, and investigating possible ethical violations and applying appropriate sanctions.

Download Full-text

A Bioethics Primer for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Working With Older Adults

Perspectives on Gerontology ◽

10.1044/gero20.1.4 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 4-11

Author(s):

Janet Simon Schreck

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Decision Making ◽

Ethical Decision ◽

Ethical Decision Making ◽

Ethical Dilemmas ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

Geriatric Settings

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists practicing in geriatric settings often encounter ethical dilemmas associated with clinical care. This article defines and discusses the four principles of bioethics: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. Using a case study, the bioethical framework is applied to demonstrate the overlap between the principles and the complexity of ethical decision-making by the geriatric clinician.

Download Full-text

Navigating the “Passaggio” Between Voice Therapy and a Singing Lesson: Ethical Considerations for the Speech-Language Pathologist

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2020_pers-20-10003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 658-661

Author(s):

Katherine McConville

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Ethical Decision ◽

Ethical Decision Making ◽

Code Of Ethics ◽

Voice Therapy ◽

Speech Language Pathology ◽

Ethical Considerations ◽

Therapeutic Purpose ◽

Speech Language Pathologist ◽

Language Pathology

Purpose The purpose of this article is to discuss factors that guide ethical decision making in determining what constitutes medically necessary voice therapy that involves or targets singing, which is distinct from a singing lesson. Method Different treatment tasks and scenarios are identified, and their rationales are compared with deference to precedent literature and relevant portions of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Code of Ethics. These materials are referenced in an effort to define the boundaries between voice therapy involving singing technique and a singing lesson. Results Suggestions regarding goal writing and documentation to highlight apparent boundaries are made. Conclusions In the care of injured voices, both precedent and ethical principles support speech-language pathology treatment that targets singing. However, it is incumbent upon the treating speech-language pathologist to determine when they are venturing into tasks that no longer serve a therapeutic purpose and to refer the patient for voice lessons as appropriate.

Download Full-text

Designing a Simulator for Teaching Ethical Decision-making

Educational Gameplay and Simulation Environments ◽

10.4018/978-1-61520-731-2.ch010 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 146-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Power ◽

Lyse Langlois

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Learning Environment ◽

Educational Administration ◽

Ethical Decision ◽

Ethical Decision Making ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Relevant Information ◽

Technological Advancement ◽

Simulated Environment ◽

High Level

This chapter deals with a simulation-based learning environment called Ethical Advisor (EA). This case-based tool is aimed at immersing learners in a computer-generated, open learning environment in which they are challenged to identify relevant information using embedded clues and to analyze them in light of several theoretical models provided. Users resolve ethical dilemmas and moral problems related to everyday events as they learn how to manage information flow and select relevant items. The simulated environment reflects everyday situations drawn from a databank of over 200 case studies in educational administration. In our view, this learning environment is enabling development of a high level of competency in ethical decision-making and, as such, represents an excellent means of linking learning theory to technological advancement.

Download Full-text