Inspector General: No Kickback violation for free home health introductory visits
The Office of the Inspector General issued an advisory opinion clearing the way for home health providers who provide “introductory” home visits to individuals who eventually become their clients. The OIG advised that home healthcare providers who contact patients after being selected by that patient and provide information to those patients about their services, do not violate the federal Anti-Kickback statute.
The Federal Anti-Kickback law makes it a criminal offense to knowingly and willfully offer, pay, solicit or receive anything of value in exchange for inducing or rewarding referrals of items or services reimbursable by a Federal health program
The OIG’s office stated that the “primary purpose of the Introductory Visit is to facilitate the patient’s transition to home health services in an effort to increase compliance with the post-acute treatment plan.” In addition, the OIG”s noted that during the “Introductory” visit, the health care provider ‘”does not provide any type of any federally reimbursable diagnostic or therapeutic services during the Introductory Visits,” which occur where a patient is receiving care whether it’s a physician’s office, hospital or personal home. Further, the home health provider is not involved in any way in the patient’s selection process and “Introductory Visits” do not provide any actual or economic benefit to the patients. .
It’s important to reiterate, that healthcare providers should not contact the patient prior to receiving notification from the patient that they have been selected nor can the “Introductory Visits” be a covered service under Medicare or Medicaid, or reimbursed by third-party payors. These actions could violate the Anti-Kickback statute.
To read the full opinion, click here.
For more information, please contact Kimberly Sheridan at 678-708-4703.