Illinois dentists can use social coupon services such as Groupon and Living Social if certain conditions are followed, according to recently released policy regulations regarding fee splitting.
On April 10, the state Department of Financial and Professional Regulations issued a statement that as long as healthcare providers follow certain rules, advertising their services using vouchers does not constitute unethical fee splitting.
Business models such as Groupon and Living Social usually keep a percentage of the revenue from patients, giving the remainder to the dentist, which could violate fee-splitting laws.
But Illinois healthcare providers are now allowed to advertise their services through a social coupon if they ensure that the negotiated fee between the voucher advertising company and the provider represents a reasonable compensation for advertising costs. They also must incorporate the following terms and conditions in all ads:
Description of the discounted price in comparison to the actual cost of services.
Disclosure that all patients may not be eligible for the advertised healthcare service and decisions about healthcare should not be made in haste. Determinations regarding the medical indications for individual patients will be made on an individual basis by applying accepted and prevailing standards of medical practice.
Disclose to prospective patients that, if it is later decided that the patient is not a candidate for the previously purchased healthcare service, the patient's purchase price will be completely refunded. If the patient does not claim the service, then the patient's purchase price must still be completely refunded. If the voucher advertising company does not completely refund the purchase price, the healthcare provider must do so.
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