Billing for Podiatrists

Professional Standards Regarding Billing for Podiatrists

Preamble

The College endorses the Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics, which recognizes that physicians must not exploit patients and must use healthcare resources prudently. The College has identified that podiatrists must also adhere to this directive.

Podiatrists provide publicly uninsured services (private medicine).

Inappropriate billing is recognized by the College as a form of professional misconduct.

When providing private medical services, podiatrists bear the responsibility to inform their patients about the commercial aspects of the transaction and to deliver services in accordance with the standards of their profession.

When purchasing private medicine, patients bear a responsibility to be informed about the financial risks related to the healthcare they are buying.

Professional Standard(s)

1. Podiatrists must be able to demonstrate that any medical service was delivered in the patient’s best interest.
2. Podiatrists must not bill for undocumented services.
3. Podiatrists must maintain clear documentation in support of all billed services in accordance with the College’s Professional Standard Regarding Charting for Podiatrists.
4. Podiatrists must advise patients of fees for administrative tasks in advance of providing the service.  As provided for in the College’s Guidelines for Completing Patient Forms for Podiatrists, such fees must be reasonable, consistent, and reflect the time required to complete the form.
5. Podiatrists must ensure that their financial processes and billing practices are fair, ethical, and within the boundaries prescribed by law.
6. Podiatrists must apply a consistent fee schedule regardless of patient insurance coverage.
7. To obtain an informed consent for a private medical service, the podiatrist must advise the patient of all fees or costs associated with the service. This obligation is in addition to the elements of informed consent set out in the College’s Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Informed Patient Consent to Treatment for Podiatrists.
8. Podiatrists must make referrals based solely on the best interests of the patient, and not on any personal financial interest, incentives, or other benefits.   
9. Podiatrist fees are expected to be reflective of the time, equipment, and training required for services without being exploitative of the patient’s vulnerability.

Resources

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia:

• Professional Standards Regarding Conflict of Interest for Podiatrists
• Professional Standard Regarding Charting for Podiatrists
• Guidelines for Completing Patient Forms for Podiatrists
• Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Informed Patient Consent to Treatment for Podiatrists
• Professional Standards Regarding the Sale of Products and Services to Patients for Podiatrists
• Professional Standards and Guidelines Regarding Third-Party Examinations and Reports for Podiatrists

Canadian Medical Association:

• Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics

Acknowledgements

The development of this College standard was informed by the Nova Scotia Podiatry Association’s Standards of Practice document.

Document History

First approved by the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia: March 21, 2025