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
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) has offered an opinion on providing a gift card to certain Medicare Advantage plan enrollees who complete specific steps in an online patient...more
A recent Office of Inspector General (OIG) advisory opinion approved a proposal under which a hospital has established a caregiver center that provides or arranges for free or reduced-cost support services to caregivers in...more
In what is becoming a steady trend, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) published another favorable opinion for an arrangement seeking to implement programs that support and engage family members who are increasingly...more
On September 13, 2017, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced his “Medicare for All Act of 2017” which, as the name implies, would expand Medicare to cover nearly every American. Although it is unlikely that the bill will...more
On November 13, 2015, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued Advisory Opinion 15-14. The Arrangement at issue is a charitable program designed to assist financially needy...more
On January 7, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued Advisory Opinion 16-01, approving yet another insurer’s proposed contract with a preferred hospital network. The...more