Gift Giving and the Anti Kickback Law

Even though the holiday season is long gone Healthcare Providers need to pay attention to the value of gifts they give or receive to avoid violating the Anti Kickback Laws. Providers may not accept any one gift with a value of more than approximately $30.00 or gifts worth more than $350.00 annually. The Government is concerned that gifts may cause billing for unnecessary services or may affect the referral of patients. Providers as well as their employees must not solicit gifts either. When a gift is given or received it must not be based upon either the volume or value of any referrals. Gifts that are given frequently after referrals or after any specific successful referral are red flags for violations of the law. In fact the Sunshine Act now requires pharmaceutical companies and durable medical equipment companies to report gifts to providers with a value over $25.00.Continue reading

Disability Income Insurance: How Today’s Decisions Impact Tomorrow’s Choices

Provided By:  Marnique Sparago, Northwestern Mutual

Doctors and dentists nationwide clearly understand the importance of having disability income insurance (DI) to protect the time and money they’ve invested in their profession. And most have considered at length what would happen to them, their incomes, their families and their careers if they suddenly found themselves injured or ill – leading them to seek the protection a DI policy provides.

So what’s the problem? DI is a complex buying decision – with varying stipulations in policy contracts that impact the type of benefits a policy owner might receive at time of claim. The problem is that busy medical and dental professionals can’t find the time to fully understand key concepts in their policies, and many would be surprised to find how those details could affect them at the time of claim.Continue reading