How a Stark law interpretation could be harming independent physicians

Becker's Healthcare February 7, 2024
Patsy Newitt

A 2021 interpretation of Stark law prohibits medication delivery from independent physician practices, which is in turn affecting patient care, according to a Jan. 30 report in JCO Oncology Practice written by three oncologists.

Many independent practices are now finding themselves in violation of Stark law because they operate using medically integrated specialty pharmacies to deliver medications to patients by mail or courier.

Before the ruling, some providers felt Stark law was vague about mail-order dispensing by medically integrated dispensaries, according to the report. While public health emergency laws during COVID-19 allowed mail-order dispensing, the new interpretation confused the issue, which pushed many MIDs to stop the practice.

According to the report, this issue has had a huge effect...

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