Florida Assisted Living Facilities Practice Exam

Which of the following actions is not classified as patient brokering?

1. Paying a hospital discharge planner a per head fee for resident placements

2. Paying a physician to refer residents to your community

3. Providing access to resident records for a fee

4. Providing monetary compensation to a resident who refers a neighbor

The correct answer is: Providing monetary compensation to a resident who refers a neighbor

The action of providing monetary compensation to a resident who refers a neighbor is not classified as patient brokering because it involves incentivizing current residents to promote the facility through word-of-mouth referrals rather than engaging in direct financial relationships with providers who influence admissions. Patient brokering typically refers to the illegal practice of offering or accepting something of value in exchange for patient referrals, often leading to compromised ethical standards and potential harm to patients. In contrast, the other actions listed involve direct payments or fees for patient referrals from medical professionals or facilities, which are considered unethical practices under healthcare regulations. Paying a hospital discharge planner or a physician for referrals to a facility creates a conflict of interest and undermines the integrity of the referral process. Similarly, providing access to resident records for a fee can violate confidentiality and result in exploitation of patient information, reinforcing the illegitimacy of such practices within assisted living facility operations.