Ethics Governance
Ethics & Governance - Resources and Articles |
| Articles indexes: a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z | other | |
|
|
| Article - Abstract. To view full article click on the article title. | |
A Question of Ethics A Question of Ethics Eric A. Wiening, CPCU, ARM, AU, AAI, API, is currently an independent consultant and adjunct professor of insurance at the American College. Wiening is a member of the CPCU Societys Ethics Committee and a former Ethics Counsel for the American Institute for CPCU. Do CPCUs Have a Responsibility to Exercise Independent Judgment? Some years ago, my wife Betsy had an eye problem and consulted Dr. A., an ophthalmologist. Dr. A. recommended laser surgery, and it sounded a bit frightening to consider zapping her retina and permanently destroying some of the cells in her central vision. I suggested she get a second opinion before proceeding. Betsy then met with another ophthalmologist, Dr. B., to get his opinion. Upon hearing that she had already seen Dr. A., Dr. B. gave his advice: "Do whatever Dr. A. suggests." It seemed Dr. B. was afraid to second-guess Dr. A. Then he sent his bill. Our health insurance would have covered Dr. Bs fee. However, I refused to submit the bill and instead returned it to Dr. B along with a letter explaining why his bill would not be paid. My letter made it very clear that "Do whatever Dr. A. suggests" did not, in my opinion, qualify as a second opinion. We later learned that Dr. A. is one of the more prominent doctors in his field, and perhaps that explains Dr. Bs reaction. But it does not justify it. At some level, Dr. B. apparently agreed with my critique that he had not given a second opinion. He never gave a second bill either. What, you might ask, does this personal anecdote involving my nonpayment of a bill have to do with the ethical life of a CPCU? It relates more directly than you might think. Full Article: http://www.cpcusociety.org/fil...24/QuesofEthicsDec04Jan05.html |
|
2006 Ethics-Governance.com |
|||