Fee splitting, Kick back money and its various types

Fee splitting (FS) is return of a portion of treatment fees for referring patients to practitioners or healthcare centers and is a practice, which is seen, more or less in our medical profession. Although Fee splitting has been noticed and criticized in international publications and medical associations, it seems to be overlooked in our national society of medical practice. Foreign medical literature and attitude of medical societies towards FS as well as legal aspects of this issue were studied. Then the analysis was presented through results and discussion. Reliable medical literature and attitude of most of medical societies are not only in strong opposition to FS but also this issue is considered immoral and illegal in their view. In most of the countries some codified law has been formulated against FS. Some renowned authorities of medical profession have strongly opposed to FS. Also it has been remarkably emphasized that charging patients is permitted only for direct medical services. Although different types of FS are seen in our medical society, unfortunately or national medical societies have taken no practical action in this regard. FS is totally against patients ‘rights and medical profession and leads to destruction of ethical practice of medicine and prevention of scientific-ethical development of medical society. Therefore, medical societies are primarily responsible to take practical measures and provide educational services for medical students and residents.