Ordering a test for a patient seems like an innocuous and potentially necessary step towards quality medical care, but the government does not always see it this way. The federal government is cracking down on physician practices and hospitals who overutilize testing....
The Eliminating Kickbacks in Recover Act (EKRA) is known for many things, but clarity is not one of them. It provides a tool for the government to fight the opioid epidemic in our country, which is a noble cause. Unfortunately, lawmakers left portions of the law too...
The feds have continued their crackdown on misuse of federal funds. A recent case provides an example of how the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) handles a situation with a focus specifically on diagnostic laboratories. The government claims the lab in this...
The law is constantly evolving. One of the most recent examples is lawmakers’ attempts to address the opioid crisis. In an effort to curtail the abuse of this highly addictive medication, Congress passed the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018 (EKRA),...
The federal government chose to ease enforcement of certain regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA) was not one of them. This provision within the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery...
The law is constantly evolving. Arguably, this is a good thing. In many cases this evolution helps to better ensure the laws remain relevant. However, in some cases the changes may cause more problems than they fix. That is the issue diagnostic labs are currently...
There are various regulations that help better ensure patient safety when compounding medications. Although mostly beneficial, these regulations can prove challenging for pharmacies as well as diagnostic testing and reference labs. The government will conduct audits...
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to crackdown on its fight against illegal kickbacks. The feds are clear in their belief that what it considers bribes within the healthcare industry for medical services or equipment taint the ability to provide...
UnitedHealthcare Services and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (plaintiffs) recently filed suit against a Dallas-based lab. In this suit, the plaintiffs claim the lab was making illegal kickback payments to increase the use of their facility. According to court...
Diagnostic labs are a valuable part of the health care marketplace. These labs can offer a variety of services within hospitals and as stand-alone facilities. Those who are interested in joining this marketplace, or who are relatively new to the health care industry,...
