Fees

Standard 6.1: Fees

The Professional Practice Standards regarding fees. This includes the eight standards, examples in demonstrating the standard, definitions, and related resources.

Fees

Standard 6.1: Fees

The Professional Practice Standards regarding fees. This includes the eight standards, examples in demonstrating the standard, definitions, and related resources.

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The Standard

 

6.1.1 Registrants establish a standardized fee schedule and make it available to current and prospective clients. Registrants inform clients of their fee schedule prior to providing services.

 

6.1.2 Registrants charge fees that are reasonable in relation to services provided; fulfill the terms of agreements established with clients; and provide itemized accounts upon request.

 

6.1.3 Registrants do not offer discounts or incentives for pre-payment or prompt payment of services.

 

6.1.4 Registrants do not charge for services that are not provided, with the exception of late cancellations, missed appointments, or deposits.

 

6.1.5 Registrants do not unduly restrict methods of payment, and do not provide discounts for preferred methods of payment.

 

6.1.6 Registrants should not barter their services with clients due to the risks of dual relationships and conflicts of interest.

 

6.1.7 Registrants offering block fees to clients ensure there is a written agreement in place detailing the services covered by the fee, the total fee, arrangements for paying the fee, and refund requests and procedures.

 

6.1.8 Registrants do not sell or assign debt owed for professional services.

Standard 6.1

Demonstrating the Standard

  • Standard 6.1

    • Charging and remitting sales tax as required by law.
    • Sharing the price of services upon request.
    • Ensuring clients understand any consequences of non-payment.
  • Standard 6.1

    • Notifying or reminding clients of upcoming charges, even if payment is automated, e.g., if the client’s credit card information is securely stored on an online payment platform.
    • Advising clients of alternative services accessible to the client, before discontinuing services for non-payment.
    • Ensuring clients understand promotional rates are for a fixed term and are provided access to the general fee schedule prior to the onset of any services.
  • Standard 6.1

    • When requested, and within a reasonable time, providing full or partial refunds, as appropriate, to clients who paid a block fee but decided not to receive all the services.
    • Issuing receipts that clearly state name of client; name of the registrant and their title; the registrant’s registration number; name, date, and duration of the service provided; cost of service and method of payment.

Key Definitions

  • Key Definitions

    Fee schedule

    A listing of the fees normally charged by a given healthcare provider for specific therapies and procedures provided. This also includes administrative fees (record release, report writing, etc.) or fees imposed for missed appointments. Late cancellation fees shall be reasonable in the circumstances.

  • Key Definitions

    Reasonable fees

    While CRPO does not set fees for registrants, it expects registrants to set fees that are non-exploitative.

  • Key Definitions

    Reasonable timeframe

    In terms of providing refunds for block fee arrangements, RPs are expected to provide refunds to clients within seven days of the decision to terminate services with limited exceptions for extraordinary circumstance.

  • Key Definitions

    Block Fees

    An up-front payment where the registrant agrees to provide a set of services for a set price. This may involve a set number of sessions for a particular price, or a time-based, (e.g., monthly) therapy “subscription” fee.

  • Key Definitions

    Barter

    Exchanging professional services for anything other than monetary payment.

Standard 6.1

Commentary

The College does not set the fees that registrants may charge for services. However, a registrant may not charge or accept a fee that is excessive or unreasonable in relation to the service provided. Registrants also may not offer a discount or rebate to a client for prompt payment of fees, nor charge more than the registrant’s usual fee for a service where a third party is paying for the service.

 

Registrants may accept payment on a sliding scale, i.e., variable fee depending on ability to pay. Registrants must ensure that clients are aware of their fee schedule before commencing services and are required to provide an itemized account of services, upon request.

Registrants may provide free initial consultations without further obligation, and must provide the service promised, and as advertised. For example, registrants must not offer an “hour” of therapy assuming that clients know this means 50 minutes. If a registrant chooses to increase their fees, they shall provide reasonable notice to clients and should not discontinue therapy because a client cannot afford the higher fee.

If a client fails to pay a registrant in accordance with agreed-upon terms, this is not grounds for immediately discontinuing services. While the registrant is entitled to be paid for their services,  they must place the needs of the client first. Before discontinuing services for non-payment, the registrant should advise the client of alternative services/service providers that are accessible to the client. At the start of the relationship, if applicable, the registrant shall make sure the client understands that they are required to pay for services, and that services will be discontinued if payment is not received.

 

While registrants are permitted to use the services of a debt collection agency in order to recover unpaid fees, they are prohibited from selling or assigning client debts. This does not prohibit registrants from accepting payment by credit card.

Registrants are expected to create and adhere to fee schedules; however, there may be cases where clients are unable to pay the full posted rate. In the interest of equity, registrants are permitted to offer fee reductions in accordance with set policies. For example, a “sliding scale,” may be appropriate for low-income clients.

 

Registrants must not unduly restrict forms of payment. For example, if a client does not have a credit card, the registrant should explore if another method of payment is feasible. Conversely, registrants should not charge clients more for paying by credit card, for example by passing on the credit card processing fee to the client.

 

Forms of payment should be appropriate with regard to the type of therapy practice. For example, it would be reasonable for an RP with an electronic practice to generally require electronic forms of payment (e-transfer, or credit card).

 

Bartering with clients should be a last resort due to the risks involved, and in all but extraordinary cases would not be appropriate. Bartering inherently creates a boundary crossing and dual relationship, which puts the client at risk. In many cases there are alternatives to bartering, e.g., sliding scale, or pro-bono work, that may promote the same equity considerations. In communities where bartering is the norm, registrants must be careful to apply safeguards should they barter their services. This includes, but is not limited to, contracts detailing the method and value of payment, careful consideration of the conflict of interest being developed, strict documentation of conversations surrounding the method of payment, and conversations with the client around mitigating the conflict of interest and dual relationship that may be developed through bartering.

Block fee arrangements are permitted if registrants adhere to the expectations set out in Standard 6.1.6. Registrants  use caution in offering block fee arrangements. Registrants must not pressure clients to continue in treatment because they have paid up front and take care to ensure clients do not feel an obligation to continue until the predetermined end date. If a client ends treatment partway through the prepaid sessions, registrants  refund fees for services not yet provided. RPs are expected to provide refunds within seven days of the initial request.

If a registrant agrees, either verbally or in writing, to provide a course of therapy for a regular set fee or a negotiated fee, the registrant must fulfill this commitment to the client. This does not preclude a registrant from raising fees with proper notice, as mentioned above.

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