The Leading Source for Healthcare Business News
................................................. Addiction: Overcoming addictions and bad habits... now!
Financial Perspectives: Exceptional customer service: How to do it, see page 3
...................................................
INSIDE
▼
Huntsville Memorial Hospital Opens New Emergency and Imaging Center
see page 10
INDEX
▼
Financial Perspectives....... 3 THA............................... 4 Technology....................... 6 Special Feature.................. 8 Breaking Ground............ 10 Integrative Medicine........ 12
SuperFoods Rx For Pregnancy see page 12
............
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUSTON TX PERMIT NO 13187
The Leading Source for Healthcare Business News
BY Mary M. Bearden and Allison Shelton, Brown & Fortunato, P. C.
On March 26, 2013, the Office of Inspector General( OIG) issued a Special Fraud Alert regarding physicianowned entities. The Fraud Alert highlights the potential for abuse when a physician has an opportunity to earn a profit through an investment in an entity for which the physician can generate business. In the Fraud Alert, the OIG( 1) outlines suspect features of physician-owned entities;( 2) discusses policy concerns associated with such entities;( 3) indicates that, under certain circumstances, hospitals that enter arrangements with physician-owned entities may violate the Medicare / Medicaid antikickback statute( AKS); and( 4) highlights the risks associated with physician-owned distributorships.
Repeatedly throughout the Fraud Alert, the
By Peter Andrew Sacco Ph. D., Author, Right Now Enough Is Enough
When individuals engage in substance abuse( alcohol, drugs, etc.) and they are unable to quit usage on their own even though they have tried repeatedly, but succumb to using again, they might be said to possess an addiction. Addictions are multi-faceted whereby they affect individuals in one or more ways; biologically, psychologically or socially. When the body develops withdrawal symptoms after the individual
OIG emphasizes that:“ Longstanding OIG guidance makes clear that the opportunity for a referring physician to earn a profit, including through an investment in an entity for which he or she generates business, could constitute illegal remuneration under the anti-kickback statute.” According to the OIG’ s interpretation of the AKS, if only one purpose of remuneration is to induce referrals, then the arrangement violates the AKS. To determine whether one purpose of an arrangement with a
discontinues use, they are said to possess a physical tolerance( body needs it). The substance is in their blood stream and they need it to physically function in order to remove the sideeffects of withdrawal. Conversely, when an individual craves a substance that leads them to suffer emotionally and / or impedes their rational functioning without it, they are said to possess a psychological addiction. When prescribing drugs to patients it is important to understand that certain individuals possess addictive personalities, that have the
April 2013 • Volume 10, Issue 1 • $ 3.50
Physician-owned distributorships remain on the Fed’ s radar
physician-owned entity is to generate illegal referrals, the OIG will look at the totality of the facts and circumstances, including operational safeguards, the details of an entity’ s legal structure, and the conduct of all investors and other parties involved in the arrangement.
With all physician-owned entities, the OIG has four general concerns. First, the physician’ s ability to maximize a profit
Please see LEGAL AFFAIRS page 13
................................................. Addiction: Overcoming addictions and bad habits... now!
potential to get addicted to certain types of drugs!
A d d i c t i o n and substance dependence is a slow, insidious process which develops over time through repeated use and eventual abuse of the drug of choice. When most addicts began using their substance of choice and using moderately, they were in control. When prescribed by a physician, they believe that the physician has their best intentions in mind. Since physicians practice“ beneficence”, doing what is best for the patient, most patients
Please see ADDICTION page 14