California PTA Laws Practice Exam

Under what conditions is a patient referral considered unlawful?

1. If the financial interest is less than 5%

2. If the financial interest is $10,000 or greater

3. If the financial interest is equal to or greater than 5% of the services provided or $5,000

4. If the referral is made to a family member

The correct answer is: If the financial interest is equal to or greater than 5% of the services provided or $5,000

A patient referral is considered unlawful when there is a financial interest that is equal to or greater than 5% of the services provided or $5,000. This threshold is significant because it represents the point at which economic interests can begin to compromise the ethical obligations of healthcare professionals. In healthcare, referrals influenced by financial motives can undermine the quality of care and patient trust, leading to potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, regulations often specify these thresholds to safeguard patient welfare. When a referral involves a financial interest below this threshold, it generally does not trigger the same level of scrutiny, as it is less likely to influence the decision-making process regarding patient care. Similarly, while referrals to family members may raise ethical concerns, the legal implications depend on the specific financial interests involved rather than family connections alone. Thus, the correct answer highlights the importance of financial interests in determining the legality of patient referrals.