title: Writing off the copayment.
abstract: Three dentists who have been involved in teaching ethics comment on a case where an associate discovers that the 40% of collections she was expecting as compensation is being reduced because of the practice in the office of routinely writing off patient copays. The commentators note legal requirements and professional codes, but generally seek alternatives that do not require that patients pay the amount agreed by insurance contracts.
authors.affiliation: Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western Ontario University, bschwar@uwo.ca
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Larry E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Jenson
authors.forename: Toni M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Roucka
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Patthoff
mesh_terms: D032781:Codes of Ethics; D008192:Deception; D003669:Deductibles and Coinsurance / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics; D004990:Ethics, Dental; D005607:Fraud; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000941:ethics*; D010318:Partnership Practice, Dental / Q000941:ethics