Fee splitting

Fee splitting is a controversial practice where professionals, such as doctors or lawyers, share fees with colleagues in exchange for patient or client referrals.

Fee splitting in medicine and healthcare

Fee splitting within the medical and healthcare realms involves the act of paying a commission to a referrer with the primary intention of securing future patient referrals from that referring physician. This practice is considered unethical and not acceptable in many parts of the world, leading to its covert execution.

The central concern surrounding fee splitting is the inherent conflict of interest. The patient may not be referred to the most apt medical professional or institution for their needs, but rather those that have a commission-based arrangement with the referring doctor. This is commonly referred to as the 'CUT' practice, especially in regions like India, due to the metaphorical 'cut' from the patient's bill.

Promotion of health services through mass media, advertisements, and other direct promotions is restricted in many countries. As a result, patients often depend on primary care physicians for information on healthcare services, prices, and quality. Regrettably, some of these primary care physicians may unethically engage in fee splitting, directing patients towards certain specialists or institutions based on their own financial incentives rather than the patient's best interest.

See also

• Referral (medicine)
• Medical ethics

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