Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert
Beware Side Hustle Solicitations
Question: A colleague who works at the front desk has a “side hustle” pet-sitting and providing basic dog grooming services. I heard her asking a patient to consider her if they ever need a pet-sitter, and I’m worried this might violate an anti-kickback statute. Is this OK behavior? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: While soliciting customers for paid services of a nonhealthcare business entity may not violate the particulars of healthcare anti-kickback regulations, patients seeking medical care may be uncomfortable with the pressure being put on them by your coworker. If you don’t have an official policy delineating inappropriate conversation between employees and patients during interactions in the medical office, establishing and documenting, such a policy in the employee handbook could be a good idea.
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