Legislative Session Debrief and Advocacy
The meeting focused on a debrief of the legislative session and the 491 Board meeting. Members of the committee shared their experiences from the Legislative Days event, emphasizing its impact on advocacy and the importance of mental health professionals participating. Dr. Norton provided an update on the legislative session, noting that while their bill did not pass, they remain hopeful for the next session due to early planning and better committee alignment. Corinne emphasized the need for personal connections and raising political issues to a higher level of importance between sessions.
Healthcare Provider Referral Verification Bill
The group also discussed a concerning bill that was defeated but could resurface in the future. The proposed bill that would require healthcare professionals to verify a referred provider’s in-network status with a client’s insurance and notify the client in writing if the provider is out of network. There is concern that this requirement would create significant hardships for practices, leading to fewer specific referrals and potentially detrimental effects on integrated care. The bill’s intention to reduce surprise billing might instead result in less effective referrals and less personalized care.
Therapist Boundary Violations Discussion
The committee discussed another disciplinary case presented at the chapter 491 meeting involving a therapist who violated professional boundaries by frequently texting clients outside of sessions, using affectionate language, and engaging in late-night and weekend communications. Violations often start with excessive texting, which can lead to dual or multiple relationships. One committee member raised a question about daily check-ins with a suicidal client, which was addressed by noting that the issue was not just the frequency of messages but the professional tone and the impression of an overly involved relationship.
Scope of Practice and Medical Advice
Additionally, this disciplinary hearing case presented violation with unauthorized medical advice, including recommendations about vitamins and supplements, leading to serious consequences for the client. This should serve as a reminder of the importance of staying within the scope of practice, noting that even seemingly minor recommendations can be problematic if they resemble medical advice. Practitioners should always recommend clients consult with a physician for such matters and document these recommendations appropriately.
Below is the case link for your review:
https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Document
Admin Disciplinary Actions
Another disciplinary case was reviewed involving an LMHC who owned a large practice where an administrative error led to an unlicensed practitioner working for months, resulting in a one-year suspension; It emphasized that practice owners must personally verify license status rather than delegate this task.
Below is the case link for your review:
https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Document
Board Appointment Advocacy Strategy
Significant concerns remain about the composition and workload of the Chapter 491 Board, highlighting the need for more appointments to address multiple vacancies and ensure familiarity with professional standards. Corinne suggested writing a letter to the Governor’s office, potentially involving neighboring professions, to advocate for new appointments. Aaron agreed to confer with the FMHCA board of directors about drafting this letter.
Below are the audio links to the most recent Chapter 491 meeting for your review. Members are encouraged to learn from the disciplinary cases presented to prevent themselves from facing similar consequences whether through intentional or unintentional actions in their practice.
Board Meeting