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...
Diagnostic Testing And Reference Labs
Feds accuse Dallas-based lab of illegal kickbacks
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...
What should I know about diagnostic lab accreditation in Texas?
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,...
What can labs expect from EKRA in 2021?
Congress enacted the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA) in 2018 to address the potential for bribes, referred to as illegal kickbacks, between diagnostic labs, clinics and other clinical treatment facilities. Lawmakers enacted EKRA as part of the...
EKRA prosecutions in 2020: 3 lessons for lab managers
The fact that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecuted 3 EKRA cases in 2020 shows that the feds are serious about this law. As such, lab owners are wise to take steps to better ensure compliance. One important step: learning from past mistakes. This...
Key reason EKRA poses unique risk for labs
Congress enacted the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA) in 2018 as part of an overall push to address the opioid crisis. Lawmakers intended this law to provide authorities with the ability to hold medical professionals accountable who received kickbacks in...
OIG calls on diagnostic labs to implement compliance plans
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) along with other federal agencies who enforce the regulations that apply to diagnostic labs have called on these healthcare facilities to implement compliance plans. What...
What if my private practice needs to reevaluate pay equity?
The #MeToo and #BLM movements have brought increased attention to the inequalities that are present within our communities and workplaces. These movements are fueling discussions and provide an opportunity to consider change. Pay equity is one example. How is pay...
Do diagnostic labs need a voluntary compliance program?
Government officials continue to investigate and prosecute allegations of health care fraud throughout the medical community. Hospitals, physicians, chiropractors, dentists and diagnostic labs are all open to investigations and allegations of wrongdoing. Leaders...
3 things to know about HHS’ recent investment in diagnostic labs
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced it will invest $6.5 million into two commercial diagnostic labs. The agency has stated it expects the labs, one in Nashville, TN the other in Austin, TX, to use the funds to boost...