Historically an orthopedic physician in your practice sends, on average, 30 patients a month to your hospital for an MRI. This past month he didn’t send any. Upon investigation you discover that this physician has bought into a freestanding MRI facility. He is now sending 100% of his patients to his MRI facility. Does this arrangement pose a conflict? Should this physician disclose his financial ties to the MRI facility to his patients? If so why?