Raising Money from Patients? What’s a Physician to Do?

ACP Ethics and Professionalism

Physicians often are not trained about or aware of the ethical implications of raising money from patients. This gap can lead to a number of ethical concerns. In this case study, the authors examine the implications for the patient-physician relationship and physician professionalism, patient confidentiality, implications for community-institution relationships, and the importance of physician leadership.

First, read the case study. After reading, ACP members can take the CME/MOC survey for free.

CME/MOC:

Up to 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™ and MOC Points
Expires May 28, 2028   active

Cost:

Free to Members

Format:

Journal Articles

Product:

ACP Ethics and Professionalism

ACP is devoted to policy development and implementation on issues related to medical ethics and professionalism, and is a resource for ACP members and the public.

Contributors

Elliott J. Crigger, PhD - Author, Case History, Commentary
Noel N. Deep, MD, MACP - Author, Case History, Commentary
Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD - Author, Case History, Commentary

Those named above, unless otherwise indicated, have no relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.  All relevant relationships have been mitigated.

Release Date:  May 29, 2025

Expiration Date: May 28, 2028

CME Credit

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The ACP designates this enduring activity for a maximum .5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

MOC Statement

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to .5 medical knowledge MOC point in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

How to Claim CME Credit and MOC Points

After reading the article, complete a brief survey and multiple-choice question quiz. To claim CME credit and MOC points you must achieve a minimum passing score of 100%. You may take the quiz multiple times to achieve a passing score.