What best describes a pricing strategy where a doctor charges less to private patients than to those under government programs?

The situation described in the question pertains to a pricing strategy where different prices are charged to different groups of patients, specifically a lower charge for private patients compared to those under government programs. This concept is accurately captured by the term "disparate price," which refers to the practice of setting varying prices for goods or services based on the customer segment or type of payer.

In the context of healthcare, this can be a strategic choice made by providers to attract more private patients or to respond to the reimbursement rates set by government programs, which may be lower than what private payers are willing to pay. This pricing discrepancy can lead to significant implications for how services are perceived and accessed by different patient demographics.

The other terms mentioned do not accurately describe the situation. Upcoding refers to the fraudulent practice of billing for a more expensive service than was actually provided. Overutilization involves providing more services than necessary, often driven by financial incentives but not linked directly to pricing strategies among patient groups. A fictitious claim suggests that the service billed did not occur at all, which is a different ethical and legal issue.

Thus, "disparate price" appropriately encapsulates the practice of varying charges based on the type of patient, highlighting the nuances in healthcare pricing strategies.