OIG opinion: Free transportation doesn’t violate anti-kickback statute

A bus lane with the word " bus " written on it.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General recently issued an opinion stating that a large healthcare system’s free van shuttle service for patients does not violate the federal anti-kickback statute. The statute makes it a criminal offense to knowingly and willfully offer, pay, solicit, or receive any remuneration to induce…

Read More

OIG opinion: Free home health visits are not kickbacks

A red word that is in 3 d letters

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General recently issued an opinion that a home healthcare provider’s policy to offer free introductory visits to patients who have already chosen it as their provider does not violate the federal anti-kickback statute. In its request for an advisory opinion, the home healthcare provider…

Read More

OIG Gives Blessing to Gift Card Arrangement

A gift card and some words that say " opinions ".

Last month, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) published an advisory opinion in which it declined to impose sanctions for an arrangement under which the requestor provides gift cards to Medicare Advantage enrollees who complete an online learning program related to potential risks, benefits, and expectations relating to surgeries. The requestor stated that the program…

Read More

OIG Gives Okay to Cost-Sharing Subsidy in Clinical Trial

A heart with electrical signals coming out of it.

A company that makes a medical device that uses a patient’s cells to treat ischemic systolic heart failure – a life-threatening cardiac condition – would not face sanctions if it paid Medicare participants’ cost-sharing obligations they would otherwise owe for reimbursable items and services provided during the 2-year study. That was the finding of a…

Read More

OIG Gives Blessing to Alzheimer’s Study Payment Arrangement

A picture of several different sections of the brain.

On September 29, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General issued a favorable advisory opinion regarding the proposed subsidization of certain Medicare cost-sharing obligations relating to a clinical study of Alzheimer’s disease. The requestor is a professional medical society that represents radiologists and a charity that provides support and research…

Read More

OIG Issues Fraud Alert Targeting Pharma Speaker Programs

A microphone is in front of a crowd.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) earlier this month issued a fraud alert targeting speaker programs hosted by pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The watchdog agency’s alert points to fraud and abuse risks associated with the payment, solicitation or receipt of remuneration relating to these programs. These programs…

Read More

Medicare Criminal Defense

Medicare Criminal Defense If you need a Medicare criminal defense attorney, The Health Law Offices of Anthony C. Vitale P.A., is a recognized leader in Medicare fraud and Medicaid fraud defense. With over 30 years of experience come insights and abilities that few other firms can match. Our team of experienced professionals concentrates on all…

Read More

Tampa Medicare Defense

Tampa Medicare Defense If you need a Tampa Medicare defense attorney, we can help. The Health Law Offices of Anthony C. Vitale P.A. is a recognized leader in Medicare fraud and Medicaid fraud defense. With over 30 years of experience come abilities that few other firms can match. Our team of experienced professionals concentrates on…

Read More

Tampa Medicare Lawyer

Tampa Medicare Lawyer If you need a Tampa Medicare Lawyer, we can help. The Health Law Offices of Anthony C. Vitale P.A. is a recognized leader in Medicare fraud and Medicaid fraud defense. With over 30 years of experience come abilities that few other firms can match. Our team of experienced professionals concentrates on all…

Read More