Ethical DilemmasUnit Learning Outcomes

ULO #3: Analyze the difference between different healthcare reimbursement methods in terms of provider incentives and risks. (CLO1, 4, and 6)

ULO #4: Examine the implications associated with financial decision-making and practice. (CLO 7)

Gapenski, L. C. & Reiter, K. L. (2016). Healthcare Finance: An introduction to accounting & financial management (6^th ed. ). Chicago, IL: HAP

Introduction

Carefully read the Westwood Imaging Centers, case located on page 239 in your Cases in Healthcare Finance book. This mini-case study presents a number of interconnected issues which may be perceived by some as presenting an unethical practice in health care; however, theyre not necessarily unlawful. For instance, students will examine anti-kickback laws and how providers are forming lease arrangements as a work-around to these laws and how this practice is allegedly driving up the volume of diagnostic testing and correspondingly healthcare costs to the consumers and the insurance/managed care industries. These issues are presented from an ethical perspective.

Directions

Mini-case study: The students are expected to answer the questions associated with the case. These questions are intended to elicit thoughtful reactions to potential ethical concerns surrounding the financial arrangements being used be some imaging services companies to encourage physicians to refer patients to their centers. The students are expected to carefully read the assignment instructions, then thoroughly and explicitly address each component of the corresponding case study questions.

The responses should reflect higher level cognitive processing (analysis, synthesis, and evaluation), which is essential for someone being prepared to serve in an operational capacity within the healthcare and related industry.

There is no minimum number of references that need to be utilized to support the completion of this assignment; however, it is generally understood that any good case study analysis will incorporate the appropriate quality and quantity of scholarly sources to support any suppositions and recommendations.

The submission will not exceed four (4) pages in length, excluding the title and references pages.

The document must adhere to the APA writing style.

Finally, the document should be prepared as a Microsoft Word document and uploaded to Submit Assignment.