Legal or not, hospitals still paying for practice goodwill

Article Abstract:

Hospitals continue to pay for intangible assets such as goodwill and the value of the ongoing business when they buy a physician's practice, despite warnings from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that this is illegal. The OIG views this practice as a way for hospitals to share their profits with physicians in return for guaranteed referrals. Other practices that may violate federal kickback laws include covenants not to compete, exclusive deals, and purchases of patient lists or records.

Mergers, acquisitions and divestments, Goodwill (Business)

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Congress moves to get Medicare to pay fair share for research

Article Abstract:

Action by Congress and a federal court in California could reverse the Health Care Financing Administration's policy of not allowing Medicare payments for the use of medical devices approved for research but not sale. A reversal of the policy would probably halt a federal investigation of providers that may have billed Medicare for the use of such devices. In 1994 some 125 hospitals received subpoenas related to the investigation.

Administration of Public Health Programs, Health Care Services, Offices & clinics of medical doctors, Physicians & Surgeons, Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists), Finance, Investigations, Medical care, Medical equipment, Medicare, United States. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

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