Wiki Billing if you don't own the equipment

[ashley.jonesm@gmail.com]

I have a question about billing for services. If a cardiologist performs a stress test but does not own the equipment, the equipment is owned by another physician and they share the office space. The cardiologist cannot bill for services, even though the test was performed in his office?

 

[thomas7331]

The physician can only bill for something that represents an expense to his or her practice. If the cardiologist is leasing the equipment or compensating the owner for its use in some way, then it may be appropriate to bill for it, but if he or she is being allowed to use the equipment at no cost, then this could be a questionable billing practice. The practices' attorneys should review this and any other compensation and/or referral agreements between the physician and the owner of the equipment to ensure that the arrangements are compliant.