ABSTRACT
Fees, billing, and collection procedures in forensic practice are quite different from those in general psychiatry and psychology. Most forensic practices have far fewer clients, and the individual bills are usually larger. Collections are usually better (and less frequently discounted) in forensic practice, and resolving billing disputes is far more straightforward. Medicare, Medicaid, other insurance coverage, provider networks and agreements, procedure codes, and diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) are all largely irrelevant in forensic work (although sometimes important to direct clinical services in correctional psychiatry or forensic treatment clinics). Understanding the practicalities and ethics of charging and billing for forensic services greatly simplifies practice management. You will probably get “stiffed” (more than once), but this chapter should reduce the odds of that happening.
Many years ago, a nice lawyer with whom I was working asked to meet over lunch to discuss her ongoing case and her overdue bill. Her office would supply the sandwiches, and I’d bill for my time.
The discussion began with a request for a supplemental report. New facts had surfaced and, she said, the other side was making her job very difficult. The supplemental report was due in a week (she had known of that deadline for several months). She knew my schedule was tight, and that I usually require payment before releasing reports. She balked at bringing her account up to date and providing the usual deposit, and said this was really important and “Don’t worry; I always pay my experts.”
I can be a pushover, but I’d been stung before. And as I’d passed through the parking garage I noticed a very expensive car in the lawyer’s parking space.
By the end of the meeting, we had discussed the new situation and the deadline had been relaxed. I had agreed to review the new materials, discuss them with her, and write a report about my findings if warranted. And I had a check that covered past billings and an appropriate deposit toward the time to be spent on the upcoming review.
