Inducements: Inducements

Inducements

  • It is against the law to offer or ask for money or favors to get a physician to order tests from a laboratory. This is known as an "inducement" or a "kickback."
    • Laboratories should only give supplies to a physician for the drawing, processing, storing or transporting of specimens to the laboratory.
    • The laboratory cannot provide supplies physicians use for their own purposes.
    • The laboratory must monitor the amount of supplies provided to ensure that it matches the number of tests sent to the laboratory.
    • The lab cannot give free tests except in the event of laboratory error.
    • The lab cannot give free education to clients unless it is about the laboratory's services or policies.
    • The lab cannot give excessive or expensive gifts or entertainment to physicians
    • The lab can give discounts but the price must be above cost and at "fair market value."

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