What is the maximum amount Dr. Brennan can charge Mary for her treatment under the PFFS plan?

Under a Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan, providers like Dr. Brennan have specific guidelines regarding how much they can charge beneficiaries for services rendered. The correct answer is that the maximum amount Dr. Brennan can charge Mary is only the cost sharing specified in the PFFS plan's terms. This means that any copay, coinsurance, or deductible Mary is responsible for will be outlined in her PFFS plan documents, and the provider must adhere to these terms for billing.

PFFS plans are designed to allow beneficiaries the freedom to see any provider that accepts the plan, but they also stipulate the financial structure that providers must follow in billing patients. Providers cannot charge more than the outlined cost sharing in the plan, ensuring that beneficiaries are not faced with excessive or unexpected fees beyond what they agreed to upon enrollment in the plan. This structure helps protect patients from fraudulent billing practices and ensures clarity in costs associated with their healthcare services.