No, accepting and giving rebates or commissions for referring patients is considered unethical and in violation of the MCI Code of Medical Ethics. According to Chapter 7 of the MCI Code of Ethics Regulations, indulging in such practices “shall constitute professional misconduct rendering him/her liable for disciplinary action.”

In one of its orders (DMC/Council Meeting/F.2/1/2014/dated 24^th July, 2014), the Delhi Medical Council observed as follows: “The Delhi Medical Council observes that the doctor should refrain from accepting/offering rebates and commission in any manner directly or indirectly in relation to the treatment of the patient. In this regard, all medical practitioners are legally and morally obliged to adhere to Regulation 6.4 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, and also comply with Regulation 7.19 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, the contents of which are reproduced herein-below, failing which they shall be liable for disciplinary action.

4. Rebates and Commission:
5. A physician shall not give, solicit, or receive nor shall he offer to give solicit or receive, any gift, gratuity, commission or bonus in consideration of or return for the referring, recommending or procuring of any patient for medical, surgical or other treatment. A physician shall not directly or indirectly, participate in or be a party to act of division, transference, assignment, subordination, rebating, splitting or refunding of any fee for medical, surgical or other treatment.
6. Provisions of Para 6.4.1 shall apply with equal force to the referring, recommending or procuring by a physician or any person, specimen or material for diagnostic purposes or other study/work. Nothing in this section, however, shall prohibit payment of salaries by a qualified physician to other duly qualified person rendering medical care under his supervision.

7.19. A physician shall not use touts or agents for procuring patients.”