2024 U.S. Health Care Fraud, Waste & Abuse Trends (Part I): Advisory Opinions on Patient Inducements

This podcast, the first in a three-part series, features a discussion between a host and Michael Lampert, a healthcare practice partner, about recent developments in healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse. The episode focuses on advisory opinion considerations, providing an overview of the current landscape and delving into patient inducement opinions from the past year. Michael explains the function and strategic use of HHS-OIG advisory opinions, including how they can be used competitively. The discussion covers specific advisory opinions from 2023, analyzing scenarios involving patient inducements, such as financial assistance for travel and free drug supplies, and contrasting them with arrangements that did not receive a favorable opinion, like bundled discounts on cochlear implants and hearing aids. The podcast aims to inform healthcare professionals about regulatory scrutiny and compliance concerning the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties Law.