I am writing to request guidance in relation to a file review request from Blue Cross that we have been dealing with in recent months at my practice. More specifically, we received a letter dated June 11, 2021, requesting all clinical notes for 11 Canadian Armed Forces clients (5 of mine and 6 of hers) for the time frame of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, totalling approximately 600 notes. The request qualified that “Clinical notes can be redacted provided that the member name, date, therapy attended, and therapist is visible.” It was also requested that all notes be submitted by July 14, 2021, three weeks after we were in receipt of the request. When we did not meet this deadline, another letter followed with a narrower window and outlined potential consequences for noncompliance. We responded on August 17, 2021 with a detailed accounting of client visits as printed from our practice management software Owl Practice, but indicated that our military clients had not consented to the release of the requested clinical notes, redacted or otherwise. We each received another letter dated September 14, 2021, indicating that because we had not provided the requested clinical notes that they are now seeking payment for all billing for these clients for 2020, totalling over $100,000 between the Doctor and myself. As this request was received on National Defense letterhead, I have since been in contact with the relevant health services administrator at CFB Halifax, who has agreed that our clients have not consented to providing these notes and is concerned that Blue Cross would have requested same. He has not been able to find any indication of this request originating within the Canadian Armed Forces. He is also now trying to get an answer from Blue Cross about the matter.
Blue Cross has indicated that we have 15 working days from the date of the last letter to submit an appeal to their decision, otherwise we must pay them by October 4, 2021. We are still inclined to not provide the requested documentation without client consent, but worry about ramifications for our practice from Blue Cross. Moreover, the administrative burden of printing, reviewing, redacting, copying, and submitting in excess of 600 clinical notes would require that we shut our practice down for a week in order to comply with the request.
We have reached out to other psychologists and could not find anyone who has ever heard of file review request of this scope.
I have shared and consulted on your enquiry. The NSRP appreciates that concerns relating to file materials arise for psychologists. Given the frequency of such issues, the NSRP developed a position some time ago “Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology Statement Regarding the Release of File Materials”. While the document discusses legal obligations when a matter […]
I had a call and they are wondering if an unvaccinated psychologist has to disclose to their clients that they are unvaccinated?
I have forwarded your enquiry for review. At this time, NSRP does not take a position on whether or not a psychologist must disclose their vaccination status to a client. Like all regulated health professionals, psychologists are responsible for taking steps to ensure a safe and healthy environment for clients. You may wish to consult […]
I’m wondering if virtual supervision will be possible for those of us on the Candidate Register this year, starting in September. I’ll be working in the valley, in Kingston, but am hoping to have my supervision with a psychologist in Halifax. Is it acceptable for some of the supervision meetings to be over Zoom/Skype?
During COVID-19, the NSRP has been allowing all supervision to be held virtually. However it will be examining this allowance in future, as restrictions are expected to be lifted over the summer. There may be some continuation of this allowance into the new year, or a hybrid model considered. You are welcome or check back […]
Change of status by registrant at time of renewal.
Previous renewal Category: Out of ProvincenCurrent renewal Category: full register ( Registrants and Candidates)
If a registrant would like to change their status from Out-of-Province to Full then we will require proof of their registration in the other jurisdiction. If he can provide this proof then we can change his registration from out-of-province to Full registration. Such proof does not have to be any special letter or form just […]
I have a very specific question about Continuing Competence credits and if something qualifies. The book below has come recommended by several psychologist colleagues for self-development. I was wondering if NSBEP would consider the content appropriate for Continuing Competence within the “Self Directed Learning” classification under “Interpersonal Relationships” category?
I was advised that NSRP doesn’t vet individual reading material for self-directed learning. However, if the psychologist feels that it would be relevant to consider under interpersonal relationships and had a rationale for doing so then such consistency in the process is what NSRP would look for.
Our clinic has experienced a recent situation that has us a bit puzzled and I am wondering if you can help shed some light on the matter.
We had a psychologist previously employed with us who left for another clinic and is now no longer registered as a psychologist. In the event that a lawyer is requesting her files, I understand it is best to reach out to her and get consent as to how to proceed. Is this still the case even though she is no longer registered? Or, would it be the person she identified as the custodian of her files that would now handle this request? Also, what if we were never made aware that she is no longer registered and could not reach her. Would we then assume responsibility for the file and proceed with the request?
As per PHIA legislation, the operator of the organization / organization is considered the custodian:(i) a regulated health professional or a person who operates a group practice of regulated health professionals…. Consequently in a group practice, where psychologists are employees, not an owner or operator of the practice, the organization would generally be seen as […]
Just trying to clarify the current PPE requirements as per Public Health and NSBEP guidelines. Below you will see two excerpts copied and pasted from the NSBEP guidelines:MasksnOn April 27, 2021, Public Health mandated non-medical medical masks in all private indoor workplaces in all common areas, places where there’s interaction with the public, areas with poor ventilation and areas where people can’t maintain a minimum physical distance of 2 metres from others.
PPE requirementsn• Surgical or procedure masks are the minimum acceptable standard.
• Psychologists should be masked at all times while providing service, if they cannot maintain a physical distance of two meters or a plexiglass partition does not separate the practitioner and client during the provision of service, or are with a client who has symptoms compatible for COVID-19.
• All othernSo, my question is, when we are performing assessments in office (e.g., psychoeducational assessment), are we permitted to remove/lower masks when we are separated from our clients by plexiglass?Or, are we expected to keep masks on even with plexiglass barriers installed.
As you might imagine, these details have important implications in the context of providing valid assessments of particular skills/behaviours, such as phonological processing, oral reading, listening comprehension, etc.
As noted, further masking requirements were put in place in April 27, 2021 Practitioners have been permitted to operate using their existing regulatory guidelines, which would allow you to work with clients using plexiglass as outlined. However, an important change relates to common areas such as waiting rooms, and when one is not practicing but […]
I hope you are well. I am e-mailing because I have received funding to develop and evaluate a prevention program for individuals at risk of offending. It is a group therapy program. All services are currently planned to be delivered via telepsychology services (via Zoom Healthcare with EMR provided by Jane) in large part due to the pandemic.
I do have to questions related to the development of these services and the administration of the program:I just wanted to confirm that my understanding of the Atlantic Canada telepsychology MOU is correct. My understanding is that I can invite clients from other provinces to participate if they are interested in receiving telepsychology services as part of this project if I contact the boards in these jurisdictions. Please let me know if there are any other considerations beyond the MOU or if I am misunderstanding this document.
I fully intend to offer all services as part of the program virtually but have also considered a hybrid model if the COVID-19 situation changes. In this scenario, I would provide in-person services to people who are local to the Halifax region and have clients who are in other Atlantic Canadian provinces and/or are unable to travel to attend in-person attend the same group via Zoom Healthcare. This hybrid model has been used for teaching, but I am not sure if it raises any sort of concerns for the board in terms of virtual service delivery. Please let me know.
I am planning to have a clinical or forensic psychology trainee deliver the program with me as a practicum. I have a former graduate student who completed her MSc program in forensic psychology and is now completing her PhD at Carleton. She would be an appropriate trainee because she is interested in the population, has relevant experience, and previously completed a similar practicum. The only consideration is that she is physically located in Ontario. Am I able to have a trainee from another province work under my supervision in a clinical capacity or is this a big problem?I think these are the extent of my questions for now. It is possible I may reach back out if further questions emerge as I develop this exciting new program and think through its delivery. I am happy to chat further by phone if that works better for you.
1. I just wanted to confirm that my understanding of the Atlantic Canada telepsychology MOU is correct. My understanding is that I can invite clients from other provinces to participate if they are interested in receiving telepsychology services as part of this project if I contact the boards in these jurisdictions. Please let me know […]
