Kristi described five dangerous items in a chiropractic practice. Which of the following is NOT listed among them?

Kristi described five dangerous items in a chiropractic practice. Which of the following is NOT listed among them?

• A. Improper Time of Service Discounts
• B. Inducement Violations
• C. The threat of being sued for malpractice
• D. Dual Fee Schedule

Answer: (C)

The key idea is distinguishing actions that are directly problematic from general risks that can arise in any practice. Kristi’s five dangerous items are specific practices that violate ethics or laws. Improper time-of-service discounts are risky because offering discounts at the point of service can be seen as an inducement or kickback, potentially violating anti-kickback or payer rules. Inducement violations are themselves a clear ethical and legal danger, since they involve trying to influence referrals with something of value. A dual fee schedule creates price inconsistency and can lead to billing or fraud concerns, which are also direct compliance hazards. The threat of being sued for malpractice, while an ongoing risk in any clinical setting, is not an actionable practice item Kristi listed. It’s a potential consequence rather than a specific improper practice, so it isn’t counted among the dangerous items described.

The key idea is distinguishing actions that are directly problematic from general risks that can arise in any practice. Kristi’s five dangerous items are specific practices that violate ethics or laws. Improper time-of-service discounts are risky because offering discounts at the point of service can be seen as an inducement or kickback, potentially violating anti-kickback or payer rules. Inducement violations are themselves a clear ethical and legal danger, since they involve trying to influence referrals with something of value. A dual fee schedule creates price inconsistency and can lead to billing or fraud concerns, which are also direct compliance hazards.

The threat of being sued for malpractice, while an ongoing risk in any clinical setting, is not an actionable practice item Kristi listed. It’s a potential consequence rather than a specific improper practice, so it isn’t counted among the dangerous items described.