Physician owned distributorships (PODs) have been the source of considerable controversy for years. A couple years ago, they caught the attention of Congress. Now, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (“OIG”) has issued a Fraud Alert making clear their dislike of PODs and sending a clear shot across the bow of those who are in that industry.
PODs distribute various things, most commonly surgical implants and devices, that are reimbursed by insurers. A patient needs a spinal rod, a surgical implant/device company makes it and a distributor rep distributes it. Device/implant companies usually contract with distributorships to sell their products. Distributorships contract with reps who are paid commissions for sales. Surgeons who actually order the devices sometimes think “Since I’m the one doing the surgery and ordering all this stuff, why can’t I earn something from that? I’m not ordering anything I don’t need or that I don’t think is good for the patient.” PODs are one way for physicians to financially benefit from the sales of devices and items their patients need, but they have never been more controversial than now.Continue reading
