Stark law is a strict liability statute that places restrictions on physician self-referral with the goal of protecting patients.
Here are three things orthopedic surgeons should know about Stark law:
- Stark law was first introduced as the Ethics in Patient Referrals Act and was adopted in 1989 as an amendment of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Its nickname comes from the bill's sponsor, Rep. Pete Stark of California.
- The law is enforced by the Justice Department, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Stark law was most recently updated to allow ASCs, physician groups and hospitals to provide non-monetary compensation to physicians up to an amount of $507 throughout the calendar year.