Assisting Clinical Diagnostic And Reference Labs
As anyone in the health care industry knows, the regulatory landscape is highly complex. In recent years, government agencies have been vigorously investigating New York and New Jersey diagnostic and reference labs and lab owners for fraud, abuse and other violations such as waiving co-payments and patient deductibles and alleged sham leases with physicians. These audits by the FBI, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services and insurance companies, such as Cigna and Horizon, have resulted in the indictment of many physicians and lab owners on federal charges.
At Rivas Goldstein, LLP, we represent independent clinical laboratory and physician-owned laboratory (POL) clients who are under investigation for matters such as routine waiver of co-payments and deductibles, billing and coding issues, self-referral and anti-kickback rule violations, and fee-splitting. If you or your laboratory is being audited by a government agency, or your lab needs compliance counseling, contact Rivas Goldstein, LLP, at 800-761-5190.
Is Your Lab Unintentionally Violating The Anti-Kickback Statute?
In 2015, the OIG issued an advisory opinion stating that exclusive arrangements between laboratories and physician practices may violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. In this opinion, a lab proposed to do all lab services for certain physician practices, waiving out-of-network fees for patients whose insurance would send them elsewhere. The OIG responded by saying that the benefits doctors enjoy by working with one lab could potentially be considered kickbacks. The decision was unfavorable to labs and added complexity to the preexisting regulations.
The OIG decision shows that kickbacks include a broader category than what one may consider as “gifts or payments.” Legal advice is essential for clinical diagnostic and reference lab owners who want to comply with the Anti-Kickback Statute or the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA).
We Represent Clinical Diagnostic And Reference Labs Of All Sizes
Whether your laboratory is well-established, is new to the industry or offers a unique, specialty service, our health care lawyers can help you achieve the best outcome possible.
- We will proactively advise you to make sure that your business is compliant with federal regulations.
- Our lawyers will represent you and your business after being audited by the FBI, state Medicaid Fraud Control Units, Zone Program Integrity Contractors and commercial carriers.
- We will help you achieve compliance to move in a positive direction and leave your problems in the past.
Contact Our New York Health Care Lawyers Now
Our experienced New York and New Jersey health care law attorneys will represent your lab’s interests. Please call 800-761-5190 or contact our law firm online.