Modern Healthcare June 22, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is producing even more evidence that proposed changes to Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute regulations can’t come soon enough. But the rule changes, which are designed to encourage better care, could be delayed, also thanks to the coronavirus outbreak.
For years, the healthcare industry has warned regulators that providers are hesitant to engage in value-based arrangements or coordinate care, in part, because they’re worried about running afoul of federal fraud and abuse rules. So federal officials in October proposed a wide range of changes to physician self-referral and safe harbor regulations to improve care coordination and encourage providers to take part in value-based arrangements, among other things.
Providers were broadly supportive of the new exceptions and safe...