Payments to Doctors Will Soon be Public Knowledge
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, companies that provide drugs, medical devices, biologicals or other medical supplies covered by certain government programs (Medicare, Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program) are required to annually report certain payments they make to physicians. According to a recently issued final rule, payment categories will include:
- Consulting fees;
- Fees for speaking at conferences;
- Gifts, food, and entertainment; and
- Travel and charitable contributions.
The final rule also requires manufacturers and group purchasing organizations to disclose physician ownership or investment interests.
Companies subject to the final rule must begin collecting data on August 1, 2013, and must submit reports to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) beginning March 31, 2014.
By September 30, 2014, CMS will have created a searchable online database making the information easily accessible to patients and the public at large. “You should know when your doctor has a financial relationship with the companies that manufacture or supply the medicines or medical devices you may need,” Peter Budetti, CMS deputy administrator for Program Integrity, said in a statement. “Disclosure of these relationships allows patients to have more informed discussions with their doctors” (Bloomberg News, 2/11/13).
The American Medical Association President Jeremy Lazarus said his group would “carefully review” the final rule.
For more information on how this rule may affect your company or medical practice, please contact Nicole Stratton or Mindi Johnson by using the form below.
Categories: Compliance, Hospitals, Physicians, Regulatory
With a business-minded approach, and service-oriented delivery, Mindi helps clients navigate challenges and solve problems in the areas of employee benefits law and health care law. Mindi has spoken and written extensively on employee benefits, health care reform, and health care law topics, and is actively involved in a number of legal, professional and industry organizations focused on these issues.
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Best Lawyers® 2021
Congratulations to the attorneys of the Health Care practice group at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC for their inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2021 edition. Firm-wide, 44 lawyers were listed. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation and as lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Health Care practice group members listed in Best Lawyers are as follows:
- Jennifer B. Van Regenmorter, Holland
To see the full list of Foster Swift attorneys listed in Best Lawyers 2021, click here.