Episode 13: Case studies of professional boundaries violations and how to avoid them
Posted in Risk Management on Tuesday, August 10, 2021
“Want to grab coffee sometime?” Even that seemingly innocent inquiry can result in a board complaint or lawsuit. On this episode of Chiropractical, we talk to our Senior Claims Consultant about some real-life incidents and circumstances she has investigated in her 31-year career with NCMIC — and what to do if you think you may be crossing personal boundaries.
What happens when DC-patient relationship crosses the boundary? Sexual misconduct. We talk with Senior Claims Consultant Heidi Bevis and Mike Whitmer, VP of Chiropractic Insurance Programs, about real-life incidents and circumstances — and what to do if you think you may be crossing personal boundaries.
Additional Material
In this episode we refer to the following resources:
Our Guests
Heidi Bevis, SCLA
Senior Litigation Consultant
As a Senior Litigation Consultant, Heidi is responsible for supervising claim files and training/mentoring claims representatives to become self-sufficient with their assigned authority. She reviews the medical documents and retains medical experts, along with conducting research as needed. She works with our insureds, defense counsel, claimants and claimants’ counsel. Her duties involve mentoring, evaluating and directing the legal counsel employed for the defense of the insured’s claim, as well as attending court-ordered appearances and mediations. She helps direct the claims representatives in their daily handling of their claim files. Heidi joined the company in 1990 and has worked in the claims environment for over 20 years. She graduated from Simpson College with her degree in Business Management and a minor in Human Resources.
Mike Whitmer
Mike Whitmer, Vice President of NCMIC's Chiropractic Insurance Programs, has more than 25 years' experience in the business world to share with D.C.s who are starting their chiropractic careers. By day, Mike leads the corporate relations team at NCMIC Group, Inc., teaching at chiropractic colleges about business practices and risk management, and attending trade shows and homecoming events. Mike is also the cofounder of a property management company and a restoration firm that have provided his "real world" experience on writing business plans and dealing with small business finance and operations. He is the board president of Children’s Cancer Connection, and on the board and executive committee of the National MS Society, Upper Midwest Chapter.
Our Hosts
Chick Herbert
Chick is Sr. Vice President of Enterprise Organizational Development. Chick has nearly 30 years of experience as an executive business leader, independent consultant, speaker and executive coach. He is the co-author of “It Begs the Question – Learn How the Best Managers Drive Performance Through Question-Centric Coaching.” Chick is a past board chair for Special Olympics Iowa and was recognized as the 2013 statewide volunteer of the year. He recently accepted a leadership role with Iowa Women Lead Change. Chick and his wife have three adult sons.
Melissa Knutson
Melissa is Sr. Vice President – Insurance Operations. She’s been with NCMIC since January 2004. As an active part of the Greater Des Moines community, Melissa volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, United Way’s Grad Walk, and Meals from the Heartland, as well as serving on the Board of Trustees for EveryStep. She is the founder of Give Grace Give Hope, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to addressing period poverty in Central Iowa by providing menstrual products to local schools and nonprofits. Melissa and her husband have three daughters.