Avoid improper billing; extend professional courtesy as ‘all or nothing’

Why This Topic Matters

Professional courtesy can create billing and compliance problems if a practice does not apply its policy uniformly or if insurance claims are handled in ways that conflict with payer rules or federal program requirements. Understanding the article helps practices avoid improper billing practices and reduce the chance of audits or regulatory issues.

Article Sections

1. Billing

   Introduces the topic of professional courtesy and the general billing context for physician-to-physician discounts and charge-offs.

2. Risks of an all-or-nothing policy

   Reviews the compliance concerns and policy limitations associated with professional courtesy arrangements, including how practices structure and document them.

3. All those expenses can add up

   Discusses the potential downstream cost impact of courtesy arrangements when additional services or follow-up care are involved.