It is against the law to offer or ask for money or favors to get a physician to order tests from a laboratory. This is known as an "inducement" or a "kickback."
- Laboratories should only give supplies to a physician for the drawing, processing, storing, or transporting of specimens to the laboratory.
- The laboratory cannot provide supplies to physicians for their own use.
- The laboratory must monitor the amount of supplies provided to ensure that it matches the number of tests sent to the laboratory.
- The laboratory cannot give free tests except in the event of laboratory error.
- The laboratory cannot give free education to clients unless it is about the laboratory's services or policies.
- The laboratory cannot give excessive or expensive gifts or entertainment to physicians.
- The laboratory can give discounts, but the price must be above cost and at "fair market value."
