Medicare Issues Final Rule on Disclosure of Industry Gifts to Physicians
February 20, 2013—On February 8, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued final regulations to implement the Physician Payments Sunshine Act provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
The law’s intent is to increase transparency and reduce the potential for conflicts of interest that can influence research, education, and clinical decision making. The Sunshine Act covers all physicians who have an active state medical license (even if they do not participate in federal health care programs), but it excludes residents and medical students.
Read the final rule in the Federal Register. For additional information, the American Medical Association provides details on the types of payments and transfers of value and ownership interests covered by the reporting requirement and its exceptions.
The guidelines suggested here are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each health care provider in light of all circumstances prevailing in the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.
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