When the payer says "no!": ethical considerations in patient advocacy.
Spinal cord injury is a relatively infrequent but often catastrophic injury. As such, it presents special challenges for the individuals affected and the clinicians who care for them. Claims for reimbursement of acute care, rehabilitation, and long-term care are often denied, requiring patients and clinicians to exhaust every effort to ensure coverage for therapeutic interventions, preventive care, and durable medical equipment. Ethical dilemmas are presented within the framework of the US healthcare system, and practical strategies are discussed.
Banja
J D
JD
Center for Ethics in Public Policy and the Professions, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. jbanja@emory.edu
D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014481:United States