Overview:

This timely webinar will provide a detailed examination of recent enforcement initiatives pursued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) in collaboration with its federal and state law enforcement partners throughout 2024.

The session will include a focused review of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), analyzing its core prohibitions and the critical regulatory "safe harbors" that provide protection from enforcement. Particular attention will be given to newer safe harbor provisions related to value-based and coordinated care arrangements. We will also dissect significant OIG Advisory Opinions issued this year and summarize pivotal court cases involving AKS violations, providing a clear view of the current enforcement landscape.

Why you should Attend:

This program is essential for healthcare executives, physicians, and other providers who bill federal healthcare programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and TriCare. A series of recent enforcement actions underscores a stark reality: many common business practices that are permissible in other sectors constitute federal crimes under healthcare fraud and abuse statutes.

Hospital leadership and clinical providers must recognize the government's increasing reliance on the AKS as a primary tool for enforcing healthcare laws. An equally serious concern is the government's use of the AKS, alongside the Stark Law, as a foundation for lawsuits filed under the Federal False Claims Act, which can lead to massive financial penalties.

This webinar will break down the fundamental components of the AKS and illuminate the various regulatory exceptions and safe harbors that serve as vital shields against government actions. This knowledge is no longer optional; it is a fundamental component of operational survival as healthcare fraud and abuse enforcement intensifies across the nation.

Areas Covered in the Session:

• The Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) - Prohibitions and Legal Standards

• Analyzing the Anti-Kickback Safe Harbors and Exceptions

• Review of Recent OIG Advisory Opinions and Their Practical Implications

• Summary of 2024 Enforcement Actions by OIG and Law Enforcement Partners

• Analysis of Pertinent Case Law and Legal Precedents

Who Will Benefit:

• Hospital C-Suite Executives (CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CNOs, CMOs)

• Physicians in Private Practice and Health System Employment

• Physician Practice Managers and Administrators

• Executives and Leaders from Other Healthcare Provider Organizations