Teletherapy and Remote Payment Methods, Legal-Ethical and Practical Considerations

1 CE Credit Hour. Legal-Ethical. Continuing Education Session Replay

Developed by: Roy Huggins, LPC NCC; Liath Dalton
Presented By: Roy Huggins, LPC NCC; Liath Dalton

Course Description

This introductory-level course for counselors, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and counseling and clinical psychologists will equip learners to handle remote payments legally and ethically.

Educational Objectives

Educational Objectives:

Set up a teletherapy payment process that maintains client confidentiality and autonomy
Determine which electronic payment services meet the learner’s HIPAA Security and PCI DSS compliance needs
Maintain legal responsibilities and therapeutic relationships when holding client payment cards on file

Syllabus

Syllabus:

Electronic payment services and teletherapy
- Overview of methods for taking payments remotely
- Debt and harmful multiple relationships
- Passing finance fees on to clients, legal and ethical considerations
Compliance issues that arise when using electronic payments
- The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
- Financial services and the HIPAA Business Associate Rule
How electronic payment services use and move confidential information
- What happens to client info when you run their card on your phone or tablet
- What happens to client info when their payment card info is stored in your practice management system or other payment service
- Holding client payment cards on file, legal-ethical considerations
What happens to client info when using a social cash service like Venmo
Real world examples
- Collecting remote payments legally and ethically
- Charging a card on file legally and ethically
- Invoicing and tracking payments legally and ethically

References

Gutheil, T. G., & Gabbard, G. O. (1993). The Concept of Boundaries in Clinical Practice: Theoretical and Risk-Management Dimensions. Retrieved April 26, 2013, from Articles, Research, & Resources in Psychology: http://kspope.com/ethics/boundaries.php
PCI Security Standards Council. (n.d.). PCI Security. Retrieved August 31, 2020, from https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/pci_security/
Square Community Manager. (2018, July 23). Understanding PCI Compliance. Retrieved August 31, 2020, from https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/General-Discussion/Understanding-PCI-Compliance/m-p/87880
US Dept. of Health and Human Services. (2006). HIPAA Administrative Simplification . Washington, DC: Author.
US Dept. of Health and Human Services. (2013). HIPAA Omnibus Final Rule . Washington, DC: Author.
Visa (2013). Surcharging Credit Cards – Q&A for Merchants. Retrieved 7/6/2016 fromhttps://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/download/merchants/surcharging-faq-by-merchants.pdf
Zur, O. (2011). Dual Relationships, Multiple Relationships & Boundaries In Psychotherapy, Counseling & Mental Health. Retrieved May 20, 2013, from Zur Institute: http://www.zurinstitute.com/dualrelationships.html

1 CE Credit Hour.

$24.00

Presented/Developed By

Roy Huggins, LPC NCC, is a counselor in private practice who also directs Person-Centered Tech. Roy worked as a professional Web developer for 7 years before changing paths, and makes it his mission to grow clinicians’ understanding of the Internet and other electronic communications mediums for the future of our practices and our professions.

Roy is an adjunct instructor at the Portland State University Counseling program where he teaches Ethics, and is a member of the Zur Institute advisory board. He has acted as a subject matter expert on HIPAA, security and clinical use of technology for Counseling licensure boards and both state and national mental health professional organizations. He has co-authored or authored 2 book chapters, and he routinely consults with mental health colleagues on ethical and practical issues surrounding tech in clinical practice. He served for 5 years on the board of the Oregon Mental Health Counselors Association and then the Oregon Counseling Association as the Technology Committee Chair.

He really likes this stuff.

Course Co-Presenters

Liath Dalton is PCT’s deputy director and a co-owner. Liath is especially passionate about helping therapists be resourced and supported in navigating the security compliance process and identifying the solutions and processes that meet the particular needs of their practices. Liath’s consultation area of expertise is focused on selecting the right combination of services and tech that not only meet the legal-ethical needs of mental health practices, but also the functionality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness needs as well.

Program Notices

Accuracy, Utility, and Risks Statement: This presentation may not include information on all applicable state or national laws. Misapplication of the materials, or errors in the materials, could result in non-compliance with applicable laws or ethics codes.

Conflicts of Interest: None.

Commercial Support: None.

This course is subject to our cancellation/refund policy and complaint policy.