Healing arts licensees: referrals.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of healing arts professionals by boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law makes it a crime for licensed healing arts professionals to receive money or other consideration for, or to engage in various related activities with respect to, the referral of patients, clients, or customers to any person, with specified exceptions. Existing law also makes it a crime for a licensed healing arts professional to refer patients for specified services if the licensee or his or her immediate family has a financial interest, as defined, with the person or entity. Existing law provides that, among other exceptions, this prohibition does not apply to services for a specific patient that are performed within, or goods that are supplied by, a licensee's office or the office of a group practice. This bill would provide that this exception does not apply to advanced imaging, anatomic pathology, radiation therapy, or physical therapy for a specific patient that is performed within a licensee's office or the office of a group practice and that is compensated on a fee-for-service basis. The bill would also define advanced imaging for this purpose. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.