Although often well-intentioned, offering free or discounted items or services to patients (e.g., gifts, rewards, writing off copays, free screening exams, free supplies, etc.) may violate federal and state laws governing...more
On October 9, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) released proposed changes to the regulations interpreting the Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark Law), including a new proposed exception for limited...more
As part of the long-awaited proposed changes “to modernize and clarify” the regulations that interpret the Physician Self-Referral Law (the “Stark Law”) released on October 9, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid...more
In recent years, the healthcare industry has been turning greater attention to the need to engage or involve patients in developing new technologies and systems to improve healthcare delivery. These patient engagement...more
CMS is seeking input on ways to reduce the regulatory burdens of the physician self-referral law (commonly known as the Stark Law), particularly as it relates to the ongoing effort to transition from a fee-for-service to a...more
The Physician Self-Referral Law, also known as the Stark law, prohibits a physician from referring federal health care program patients for “designated health services” to an entity in which the physician (or an immediate...more
The law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C., sincerely appreciates the opportunity to comment upon the proposed clarifications and changes to the Stark regulations issued by the Centers and Medicare...more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently proposed regulatory changes to the Stark Law that may ease certain compliance challenges. The Physician Self-Referral Law, located at 42 U.S.C. § 1395nn, and its...more
Last week, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services published Advisory Opinion 15-10 (Opinion). The Opinion addressed a hospital system’s proposal to lease non-clinician employees...more
On July 8, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend its regulations implementing and interpreting the Stark Law (the Proposed Rule). 80 Fed. Reg. 41,686,...more
On July 8, 2015, CMS issued its annual proposed rule outlining payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for CY 2016. In the proposed rule,...more
On July 2, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed a $237 million judgment against Tuomey Healthcare System, Inc. (“Tuomey”), in a federal False Claims Act (“FCA”) case arising out of...more