Posted by Roni on March 25, 1998 at 12:13:42:
Professional courtesy is a tradition in which physicians take care of other physician's families without charge. Congress and private insurance companies have greatly reduced the permissible scope for reducing charges for medical care. If the cost of care is reduced for physician's families, it must be reduced for everybody. Co-pays cannot be waived in most situations. Only Medicare has some provisions for waiving co-pays for documented indigent persons. The thought that is the co-pay is waived, it will encourage casual trips to the doctor and drive insurance costs up. Discounts may be given but they must be given on the entire bill and the insurance companies may choose to pay the lowest charge the doctor has charged for all patients. Waiving the entire charge is acceptable. Kickbacks are illegal.