Can physicians charge fees to complete paperwork and forms for patients (e.g., FMLA, disability, etc.)?
There is no prohibition against charging fees in the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Minimal compensation is available in disability cases. Indiana law is silent on this specific issue. Indiana’s general law on fees, 844 IAC 5-2-9, states, “Fees charged by a practitioner for his/her professional services shall be reasonable and shall reasonably compensate the practitioner only for services actually rendered.” The rule also includes a series of factors to consider when determining reasonableness. Physicians should check their contracts with commercial insurance companies to see if the terms of the contracts prohibit such administrative fees. AMA ethical policy E-6.07 states that physicians should complete simplified insurance claim forms without charge but may charge for more complex or multiple forms in conformity with local custom. (Note that AMA ethical policies do not necessarily comply with state law) Medicare allows physicians to charge Medicare beneficiaries (not Medicare itsel
