When “Fiduciary Responsibility” & “What is Best for Patients” Aren’t Aligned. Economic & Ethical Considerations

Another example of where US healthcare has gotten off track in the FFS system is with regard to the providers “fiduciary responsibility.” This encompasses the belief of the leaders of health care organizations about to whom and for what they are responsible. Historically the leader of a physician owned practice/organization believed their responsibility was to the patients for whom they cared. It’s an extension of their oath as physicians. Overcharging for services, excess care, or inappropriate care, which may also be called fraud, waste and abuse, violated their fiduciary responsibility to the patients they served.