The OIG Releases an Advisory Opinion Regarding the Anti-Kickback Statute

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published an advisory opinion regarding the Anti-Kickback Statute.  The OIG concluded that the Anti-Kickback Statute would not be implicated where a charitable donation is made in the name of a healthcare provider, so long as the healthcare provider does not receive a tax deduction or other monetary benefit from the donation.

The request of the advisory opinion created an online scheduling website for certain manufacturers (pharmaceutical, medical and diagnostic) to schedule a time to meet with healthcare providers to educate the providers about new products.  Although the manufacturers would pay a fee for the time, healthcare providers would not be paid for their availability, nor would they have to pay to participate.  Rather, healthcare providers would designate a public charity to receive donations “in name of” the healthcare provider.  Restrictions on the donation include, the healthcare provider will not be entitled to a tax deductions or other monetary benefit from the donation and neither the healthcare provider nor a member of the healthcare provider’s family may be closely affiliated with the charity (i.e. serve on the charity’s board or be employed by the charity). 

In its conclusion that this arrangement would not violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, the OIG stressed that the healthcare provider must not receive any form of remuneration, including tax incentives.  In addition, the OIG noted that the requestor had put in place several safeguards to ensure that the program was not abused.

For more information on the Anti-Kickback Statute, please visit www.wachler.com or contact a Wachler & Associates attorney at 248-544-0888.