The business of providing medical care is in the midst of dramatic
change. To keep pace with evolving economics and reimbursement
practices, the small physician practice, which stood as the standard
arrangement for so long, is giving way to larger, more corporate models.
These models have led to a highly regulated business environment in the
health care services industry, which involves interpreting areas of the
law without clear guide rails. The corporate practice of medicine and
fee-splitting prohibitions, depending on which state's laws you are
interpreting, can be one of those areas of the law that lack those guide
rails. Advising clients on compliance with the prohibitions may require
more finesse and risk analysis than legal research in some
jurisdictions.
This primer on the prohibitions provides practitioners with
- the historical context in which they arose;
- a concise discussion of each of the prohibitions and how they affect
the business of medicine;
- what they mean for the ownership and day-to-day operation of
healthcare practices; and
- practical assistance in helping your clients navigate this particular
area of law.