Tagged: Anti-Kickback Statute

Recent DOJ Settlements Involving DME Manufacturers Highlight Important Anti-Kickback Considerations

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently announced two settlement agreements, both involving durable medical equipment (“DME”) companies, following allegations that the companies had violated the Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”). The AKS, found at 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b, prohibits the exchange of anything of value (i.e., remuneration) with any intent to induce referrals for services or products...

How EKRA and AKS Impact Laboratories and Commission-Based Compensation

With the enactment of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (“EKRA”) in 2018, the permissibility of commission-based compensation to laboratory sales representatives based on volume, revenue, or profit has come under question, and there is still little case law interpreting the Act. Despite EKRA being a relatively newer law, laboratories should remain mindful of how...

HHS OIG Releases an Updated Health Care Fraud Self-Disclosure Protocol

On November 8, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) released a revised Provider Self-Disclosure Protocol, renamed Health Care Fraud Self-Disclosure Protocol (“SDP”).  Prior to this update, the SDP had not been updated since 2013.  While many of the revisions were procedural only, some of the revisions were...

SCOTUS Denies Review of Dismissal at DOJ’s Request; Circuit Split Remains

The Dorsey Health Law blog team keeps readers up-to-date on relevant topics in the health care industry. In order to do so, the members of the blog team communicate regularly with other practice groups within the firm for applicable updates from client publications. For this post, we would like to thank Dorsey’s Christopher DeLong for...

OIG Advisory Opinion No. 21-02 Provides Helpful Insights into Risk Mitigation Factors Regarding Health System-, Physician-, and Management Company-Owned Ambulatory Surgery Centers

On April 26, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) issued favorable Advisory Opinion No. 21-02 regarding a proposed investment in an ambulatory surgery center (“ASC”) by a health system, orthopedic surgeon and neurosurgeon employees of the health system, and a management company. This latest Advisory Opinion is notable...

OIG Initiatives to Ease Provider Burdens Related to COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) has taken numerous steps to minimize regulatory burdens for providers who need to make their primary focus delivering patient care during the COVID-19 national emergency. These steps, along with recent steps taken by other agencies to provide temporary regulatory flexibility, provide further...

Escobar in Action: Physician-owners’ fraud claims against hospital defeated in Fifth Circuit appeal for lack of materiality

Following the passage of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), which placed new limits on physician-owned hospitals, St. Luke’s Health System (“System”) took action to change one of its hospital’s ownership structures through a buy-out of the physicians’ partnership interests pursuant to the Texas Securities Act (“TSA”). The TSA allows rescission for the original price paid...

FDA Chief and HHS Secretary Cite Prescription Drug Prices as Top Priorities for Agencies; President Trump Scheduled to Speak on Issue on May 11, 2018.

All eyes are on the federal government as top officials have recently signaled upcoming actions which could impact the prices of prescription drugs. In the past two weeks, leaders from both the FDA and HHS have made statements signaling that the agencies are focused on reducing prescription drug prices. In remarks at the Food and...

Significant Changes in Healthcare Laws Enacted Through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018: Stark, Civil and Criminal Penalties, Telehealth, ACOs and More

Overview On February 9, President Trump signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (“BBA”) into law. The BBA funds the federal government through March 23 and included a bipartisan agreement to increase annual spending authority for a two-year period. In addition, the legislation contains significant policy changes impacting Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health agencies....