When can a chiropractor provide complimentary services to an existing patient?

Providing complimentary services to existing patients is guided by ethical standards and regulations in chiropractic practice. Choosing to offer complimentary services is acceptable when it is not for the primary purpose of referrals. This means that the complimentary services should not be used as a tactic to incentivize patients to refer others to the practice. By establishing this principle, chiropractors ensure that their actions are primarily focused on the care and benefit of the patient rather than on referral generation, which could lead to conflicts of interest or ethical dilemmas.

While there may be situations where the other options seem reasonable—such as when the patient explicitly requests services or if it is part of a promotional offer—the key regulatory guidance centers on the intent behind offering complimentary services. Thus, avoiding any appearance of impropriety regarding referrals reinforces the integrity of the chiropractor-patient relationship.