Clinically appropriate care is that recommended treatment that is within the doctor’s scope of practice and appropriate for the patient but may not meet the medical necessity guidelines of a third-party payer. Patients have every right to receive this type of care, but both provider and patient must be aware that it is likely paid by the patient. Medically necessary care is both clinically appropriate and in line with the definitions set forth by the payer. A keen understanding of these differences between these two is one of the most important tenets of healthcare compliance. This brief training outlines the differences and starts you on your way to a better understanding of these two important definitions.