The PODyssey: Navigating the Legal Waters of Physician-Owned Distributors

Check out this practice note from Practical Guidance – Healthcare for a discussion of physician-owned distributors (PODs), including the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and the federal Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark Law) risks and concerns associated with using PODs.  The practice note also highlights HHS OIG guidance related to PODs from their Special Fraud Alert and advisory opinions. The practice note concludes with case studies that examine how a POD could be used while still complying with fraud and abuse laws.

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Related Content

• Physician-Owned Distributor (POD) Purchase Policy
  Use this template policy for healthcare entities and physician-owners to help reduce liability risks under fraud, abuse, or anti-kickback laws related to PODs.

• Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Compliance Resource Kit
  Consult this resource kit to find resources addressing key healthcare fraud and abuse issues related to your representation of healthcare organizations.

• Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Comparison
  Understand how to navigate the AKS and Stark Law.

• Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Provisions of Federal Fraud and Abuse Laws
  Learn about the anti-kickback and false claims provisions of the federal healthcare fraud and abuse laws, the regulations to implement the enforcement of the provisions, and the important cases that interpret them.

• Federal Anti-Kickback Statute: Protecting Federal Healthcare Programs Video
  Watch this video on the underlying intent and purpose of the federal AKS. This video is part of a four-part series of Practical Guidance videos addressing the AKS.  Links to the other videos are included.

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