Legal and Ethical Standards Flashcards
7 cards from real CTP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Legal and Ethical Standards flashcards as text
A telehealth provider licensed in New York wants to treat a patient currently located in California. Which legal principle governs this situation?
Answer: The provider must be licensed in the state where the patient is physically located
Telehealth practice is governed by the laws of the state where the patient is physically located at the time of the encounter.
Under HIPAA, which of the following is NOT considered a covered entity required to comply with privacy rules?
Answer: A self-employed personal trainer offering nutritional advice
HIPAA covered entities are health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers who transmit health information electronically — a personal trainer offering general advice is not a covered entity.
A patient requests that their telehealth therapist share session notes with their employer. What is the ethically correct response?
Answer: Obtain written authorization from the patient and assess any potential harm before disclosing
The provider should obtain proper written authorization and carefully consider potential harms to the patient before releasing records to an employer.
Which federal law specifically extended telehealth flexibilities during the COVID-19 public health emergency by waiving the originating site requirement?
Answer: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
The CARES Act and subsequent emergency declarations waived originating site restrictions under Medicare, allowing patients to receive telehealth from their homes.
A telehealth clinician discovers a patient may be in immediate danger of self-harm during a video session. What is the primary ethical obligation?
Answer: Ensure the patient's safety by contacting emergency services if necessary, regardless of confidentiality
Duty to protect life overrides confidentiality obligations when a patient poses an imminent risk of harm to themselves.
Which of the following best describes the 'originating site' in a traditional Medicare telehealth reimbursement model?
Answer: The location where the Medicare patient receives the telehealth service
The originating site is where the patient is located when receiving telehealth services, which historically needed to be a qualifying healthcare facility for Medicare reimbursement.
A telehealth provider using a third-party video platform must ensure the vendor signs which type of agreement under HIPAA?
Answer: A Business Associate Agreement (BAA)
Any third-party vendor that handles protected health information on behalf of a covered entity must sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).