Fees and charges
15.—(1) The agreement must contain terms relating to fees and charges which have the same effect as those set out in paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) The contractor shall not, either itself or through any other person, demand or accept from any patient of its a fee or other remuneration, for its own or another’s benefit, for—
(a)the provision of any treatment whether under the agreement or otherwise; or
(b)any prescription or repeatable prescription for any drug or appliance,
except in the circumstances set out in Schedule 3.
(3) Where a person applies to a contractor for the provision of services and claims to be entitled to be treated by the contractor without paying a fee or other remuneration, and the contractor has reasonable doubts about that person’s claim, the contractor shall give any necessary treatment and shall be entitled to demand and accept a reasonable fee accordingly in accordance with paragraph (e) of Schedule 3, subject to the provision for repayment contained in paragraph (4).
(4) Where a person from whom a contractor received a fee under paragraph (e) of Schedule 3 applies to the relevant body for a refund within 14 days of payment of the fee (or such longer period not exceeding a month as the relevant body may allow if it is satisfied that the failure to apply within 14 days was reasonable) and the relevant body is satisfied that the person was entitled to be treated by the contractor without paying a fee or other remuneration when the treatment was given, the relevant body may recover the amount of the fee from the contractor, by set off or otherwise, and shall pay that amount to the person who paid the fee.