Stark Law
Running head: THE STARK LAW
The Stark Law
Grand Canyon University
HLT 418
May 7, 2009
Abstract
In this paper we will define what the Stark law is, its purpose and benefit to the health care industry and some major points of how it has evolved over the years. The Stark law was originally enacted in order to prevent physicians or physician groups from abusing their self-referral programs. Since its conception, it has evolved into three separate provisions which will be discussed in detail later on. Finally, we will give a couple of examples of how the Stark law has affected some of the local physician groups and hospitals in my area.
The Stark Law is the bill I have selected to discuss. In this paper I will define the Stark Law, examine the reason it came to being, and outline why it is a necessary bill for the overall well-being of the health care industry. I will also discuss some of the revisions made to the Stark Law, and, in addition, I will touch on some of its benefits, as well as give some of the arguments from those who oppose its restrictions. Finally, I will relate a recent personal experience where I have seen recent provisions to the law change the way my hospital and some of its physician groups operate. The Stark Law is a complex bill that was passed through congress in 1989. It was named after the United States Congressman Pete Stark, who was the original sponsor of the bill. The Stark Law is found in section 1877 of the Social Security Act. Although there have been several provisions since its birth, the Stark Law was initiated in order to prohibit a physician from making self-referrals for certain designated health services which are payable by Medicare or Medicaid to an entity with which the physician (or immediate family member of the physician) has a financial relationship with, (website, CMS.gov). Physician self-referral is the best defined according to Starklaw.org as, “the practice of a physician referring a
The Stark Law
Grand Canyon University
HLT 418
May 7, 2009
Abstract
In this paper we will define what the Stark law is, its purpose and benefit to the health care industry and some major points of how it has evolved over the years. The Stark law was originally enacted in order to prevent physicians or physician groups from abusing their self-referral programs. Since its conception, it has evolved into three separate provisions which will be discussed in detail later on. Finally, we will give a couple of examples of how the Stark law has affected some of the local physician groups and hospitals in my area.
The Stark Law is the bill I have selected to discuss. In this paper I will define the Stark Law, examine the reason it came to being, and outline why it is a necessary bill for the overall well-being of the health care industry. I will also discuss some of the revisions made to the Stark Law, and, in addition, I will touch on some of its benefits, as well as give some of the arguments from those who oppose its restrictions. Finally, I will relate a recent personal experience where I have seen recent provisions to the law change the way my hospital and some of its physician groups operate. The Stark Law is a complex bill that was passed through congress in 1989. It was named after the United States Congressman Pete Stark, who was the original sponsor of the bill. The Stark Law is found in section 1877 of the Social Security Act. Although there have been several provisions since its birth, the Stark Law was initiated in order to prohibit a physician from making self-referrals for certain designated health services which are payable by Medicare or Medicaid to an entity with which the physician (or immediate family member of the physician) has a financial relationship with, (website, CMS.gov). Physician self-referral is the best defined according to Starklaw.org as, “the practice of a physician referring a
References: "Www.cms.hhs.gov.Ed. CMS Office of Public Affairs.” 1 Aug. 2006.