Healthcare professionals and businesses are aware of the term “fee splitting,” but rarely understand what that means, and for good reason. Is there some federal law against that? No. Is there a state law? Yes, but definitions are elusive and confusing.
Florida law prohibits licensed healthcare professionals engaging in any split-fee, rebate, commission or bonus in exchange for referral of any patient. In particular, Section 456.054 states it is a violation of a state criminal statute for a “healthcare provider” to “offer, pay, solicit, or receive a kickback, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, for referring or soliciting patients.”
Is there a court in Florida that has interpreted that law or opined on the concept? Not exactly. The closest thing we have is the Crow decision, where the 5th District Court of Appeals affirmed a Board of Medicine handling an issue involving the concept.Continue reading
