Leasing imaging facilities to referring physicians: fee shifting or fee splitting?

In the face of increasing costs and decreasing reimbursements, many physicians are working harder and making less money. Not all physicians are content working harder for less income. Physicians have chosen other avenues in order to enhance their income. Various ancillary services such as dexa scans and ultrasound studies are being done in physician offices rather than in hospitals. These methods serve to redistribute a finite amount of healthcare dollars between primary care and subspecialty physicians.