---
title: "Special Fraud Alert: Laboratory Payments to Referring Physicians"
description: This is the most recent of guidance documents and advisory opinions addressing the remuneration offered and paid by laboratories to referring physicians
image: https://www.mbrbilling.com/hs-fs/file-1192111847-png/images/cartoon6255.png
---

[![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MBR-Images/logo.png?width=340&name=logo.png)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/)

- [Home](https://www.mbrbilling.com/)
- [Client Login](http://clientlogin.mbrbilling.com/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.mbrbilling.com/contact-us)

SEARCH

# Medical Billing Blog

# Special Fraud Alert: Laboratory Payments to Referring Physicians

Posted by [Scott Shatzman](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/author/scott-shatzman) on Tue, Jul, 08, 2014 @ 08:07 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![cartoon6255](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hs-fs/file-1192111847-png/images/cartoon6255.png?width=302&height=226&name=cartoon6255.png)The HHS OIG released a [Special Fraud Alert](http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/docs/alertsandbulletins/2014/OIG_SFA_Laboratory_Payments_06252014.pdf) addressing compensation paid by laboratories to referring physicians and physician group practices (collectively, physicians) for blood specimen collection, processing and packaging, and for submitting patient data to a registry or database.

 

This is the most recent of a series of guidance documents and advisory opinions addressing the general subject of remuneration offered and paid by laboratories to referring physicians

 

In these and other documents, OIG has emphasized that providing free or below-market goods or services to a physician who is a source of referrals, or paying such a physician more than fair market value for his or her services, could constitute illegal remuneration under the anti-kickback statute.

 

This Special Fraud Alert supplements these prior guidance documents and advisory opinions and describes two specific trends that OIG has identified involving transfers of value from laboratories to physicians that they believe present a substantial risk of fraud and abuse under the anti-kickback statute.****

### Subscribe via Email

[![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hs-fs/file-16642138-png/images/bg/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/MedBillResources) [![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hs-fs/file-16650079-png/images/bg/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/#!/MedBillResource) [![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hs-fs/file-16643229-png/images/bg/linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-billing-resources) [![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hs-fs/file-16646680-png/images/bg/rss.png)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/CMS/UI/Modules/BizBlogger/rss.aspx?tabid=484940&moduleid=1043750&maxcount=25&u=107101&t=BBE4D262E126601B3B04C3F46C38B13F)

[![New Call-to-Action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/119723/112e1d48-db0d-4713-be81-8744e7438136.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/119723/112e1d48-db0d-4713-be81-8744e7438136)

[![Click me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/119723/73857c0b-bb42-4989-9f2b-6f01b79dda8d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/119723/73857c0b-bb42-4989-9f2b-6f01b79dda8d)

[![worksheet](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/119723/e4db838f-b08e-4fb6-bce4-c965b078dce1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/119723/e4db838f-b08e-4fb6-bce4-c965b078dce1)

 

 

### Latest Posts

### Browse by Tag

- [$75 million (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/75-million)
- [2014 (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/2014)
- [2015 (5)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/2015)
- [21st Century Cures Act (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/21st-century-cures-act)
- [340B drug pricing program (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/340b-drug-pricing-program)
- [59 modifier (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/59-modifier)
- [90 day wait period (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/90-day-wait-period)
- [abuse (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/abuse)
- [ACA (42)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/aca)
- [ACA, Health Law, Repeal, GOP (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/aca-health-law-repeal-gop)
- [access (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/access)
- [Affordable Care Act (54)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/affordable-care-act)
- [Alternative Payment Model (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/alternative-payment-model)
- [AMA (6)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/ama)
- [Ambulatory Payment Classifications (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/ambulatory-payment-classifications)
- [annual notice (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/annual-notice)
- [annual report (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/annual-report)
- [Anthem (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/anthem)
- [anti-kickback (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/anti-kickback)
- [APM (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/apm)
- [Audits (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/audits)
- [Balance Billing (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/balance-billing)
- [Balanced Budget Act (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/balanced-budget-act)
- [Bankruptcy (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/bankruptcy)
- [Baucus (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/baucus)
- [BCBSMI (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/bcbsmi)
- [Beneficiary Access (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/beneficiary-access)
- [Bernard Sanders (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/bernard-sanders)
- [billing (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/billing)
- [billing, medical billing companies (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/billing-medical-billing-companies)
- [Blue Cross Blue Shield (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/blue-cross-blue-shield)
- [Bronze Plans (4)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/bronze-plans)
- [budget (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/budget)
- [bundled payments (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/bundled-payments)
- [Canceling policies (5)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/canceling-policies)
- [Cardiac Rehabilitation Incentive Payment Model (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cardiac-rehabilitation-incentive-payment-model)
- [Cardiology Billing (13)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cardiology-billing)
- [CBO (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cbo)
- [CEHRT (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cehrt)
- [Certified EHR Technologies (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/certified-ehr-technologies)
- [chart review (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/chart-review)
- [CHIP (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/chip)
- [Chronic Care Management (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/chronic-care-management)
- [Cigna (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cigna)
- [claims processing (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/claims-processing)
- [CMS (49)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cms)
- [CMS requirements (11)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cms-requirements)
- [CMS, Final Rule, Quality Payment Program, Medicare (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cms-final-rule-quality-payment-program-medicare)
- [CMS-1500 (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cms-1500)
- [co-payment (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/co-payment)
- [Cobra (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cobra)
- [Coburn (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/coburn)
- [coding (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/coding)
- [Commonwealth Fund (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/commonwealth-fund)
- [Compliance (49)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/compliance)
- [Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/comprehensive-care-for-joint-replacement)
- [congress (5)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/congress)
- [Congressional Leadership (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/congressional-leadership)
- [Consumer costs (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/consumer-costs)
- [conversion factor (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/conversion-factor)
- [coronavirus (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/coronavirus)
- [cost (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cost)
- [cost savings (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cost-savings)
- [costs (4)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/costs)
- [coverage (12)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/coverage)
- [covid-19 (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/covid-19)
- [CPT (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/cpt)
- [deductible (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/deductible)
- [Delay (8)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/delay)
- [Department of Labor (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/department-of-labor)
- [Department of Veteran Affairs (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/department-of-veteran-affairs)
- [Dermatology Billing (11)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/dermatology-billing)
- [Detroit (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/detroit)
- [diagnosis (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/diagnosis)
- [Dingell (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/dingell)
- [disclosure (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/disclosure)
- [Doc Causus (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/doc-causus)
- [doc fix (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/doc-fix)
- [Doctors (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/doctors)
- [documentation (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/documentation)
- [DOJ (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/doj)
- [DOL (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/dol)
- [donut hole (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/donut-hole)
- [DRG (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/drg)
- [Drug Benefit (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/drug-benefit)
- [drug discount (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/drug-discount)
- [E/M (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/e-m)
- [Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/early-retiree-reinsurance-program)
- [EDI (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/edi)
- [efficiency (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/efficiency)
- [EHR (10)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/ehr)
- [EHR Incentive Program (5)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/ehr-incentive-program)
- [EHR Payment Adjustments (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/ehr-payment-adjustments)
- [Electronic Data Interchange (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/electronic-data-interchange)
- [electronic health records (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/electronic-health-records)
- [electronic medical records (4)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/electronic-medical-records)
- [Eligible Clinicians (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/eligible-clinicians)
- [Employer Mandate (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/employer-mandate)
- [EMR (14)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/emr)
- [enrollment (4)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/enrollment)
- [EP (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/ep)
- [equity (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/equity)
- [ERRP (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/errp)
- [Exemption 6 (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/exemption-6)
- [family health insurance (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/family-health-insurance)
- [FDA (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/fda)
- [federal court (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/federal-court)
- [fee (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/fee)
- [fee for service (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/fee-for-service)
- [final rule (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/final-rule)
- [final version (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/final-version)
- [fiscal impact (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/fiscal-impact)
- [flat rate (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/flat-rate)
- [FOIA (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/foia)
- [Fraud (10)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/fraud)
- [GAO (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/gao)
- [Gold Plans (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/gold-plans)
- [Government shutdown (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/government-shutdown)
- [Grandfathering (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/grandfathering)
- [Group Practice Reporting Option (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/group-practice-reporting-option)
- [GRPO (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/grpo)
- [GT modifier (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/gt-modifier)
- [Hardship (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hardship)
- [hardship exemption (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hardship-exemption)
- [Harkin (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/harkin)
- [health and human services (4)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-and-human-services)
- [Health care (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-care)
- [health information exchange (22)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-information-exchange)
- [Health Insurance (21)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-insurance)
- [Health Plan (21)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-plan)
- [health plans (6)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-plans)
- [health reform (30)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-reform)
- [Health Savings Accounts (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-savings-accounts)
- [health services (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/health-services)
- [healthcare (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/healthcare)
- [healthcare costs (14)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/healthcare-costs)
- [healthcare history (6)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/healthcare-history)
- [Healthcare.gov (27)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/healthcare-gov)
- [Healthy Michigan Plan (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/healthy-michigan-plan)
- [HHS (9)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hhs)
- [high-deductible (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/high-deductible)
- [HIPAA (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hipaa)
- [HITECH (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hitech)
- [home health care (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/home-health-care)
- [Hospital (4)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hospital)
- [hospital employment (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hospital-employment)
- [Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hospital-insurance-trust-fund)
- [Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hospital-value-based-purchasing-program)
- [House Energy and Commerce Committee (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/house-energy-and-commerce-committee)
- [House Ways and Means Committee (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/house-ways-and-means-committee)
- [HSA (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/hsa)
- [ICD-10 (24)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/icd-10)
- [ICD-9 (8)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/icd-9)
- [IFR (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/ifr)
- [IG Report (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/ig-report)
- [improper payment (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/improper-payment)
- [improper payments (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/improper-payments)
- [improved cash flow (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/improved-cash-flow)
- [improvement (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/improvement)
- [Incentive payments (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/incentive-payments)
- [incentives (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/incentives)
- [Increase Medical Billing Revenue (5)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/increase-medical-billing-revenue)
- [Individual Eligible Professional (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/individual-eligible-professional)
- [Individual Eligible Professionals (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/individual-eligible-professionals)
- [individual health insurance (16)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/individual-health-insurance)
- [individual market (9)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/individual-market)
- [Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/inpatient-rehabilitation-facilities)
- [insurance (4)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/insurance)
- [Insurance company (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/insurance-company)
- [Interim Final Rule (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/interim-final-rule)
- [IRS (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/irs)
- [Kathleen Sebelius (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/kathleen-sebelius)
- [kickbacks (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/kickbacks)
- [King v Burwell (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/king-v-burwell)
- [Laboratory (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/laboratory)
- [listserv (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/listserv)
- [local healthcare expenditures (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/local-healthcare-expenditures)
- [lockbox (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/lockbox)
- [MACRA (7)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/macra)
- [MACRA, Fee for Service, Physician Pay (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/macra-fee-for-service-physician-pay)
- [MACs (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/macs)
- [March 31 (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/march-31)
- [Meaningful Use (11)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/meaningful-use)
- [Meaningful Use 2 (7)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/meaningful-use-2)
- [Meaningful Use 3 (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/meaningful-use-3)
- [Medicaid (8)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicaid)
- [Medicaid expansion (6)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicaid-expansion)
- [Medical Billing Companies (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medical-billing-companies)
- [medical billing compliance (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medical-billing-compliance)
- [Medical Billing Fraud (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medical-billing-fraud)
- [Medical Billing Services (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medical-billing-services)
- [medical necessity (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medical-necessity)
- [medical practice (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medical-practice)
- [Medicare (42)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicare)
- [Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (1)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicare-access-and-chip-reauthorization-act)
- [Medicare Advantage (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicare-advantage)
- [medicare cut (11)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicare-cut)
- [Medicare Data (3)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicare-data)
- [Medicare EHR Incentive Program (2)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicare-ehr-incentive-program)
- [Medicare fraud (5)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/blog/topic/medicare-fraud)

- [Home](https://www.mbrbilling.com/)
- [Why MBR?](https://www.mbrbilling.com/why-mbr/)
- [Resource Center](https://www.mbrbilling.com/resource-center/)
- [About MBR](https://www.mbrbilling.com/about-mbr/)
- [Client Login](http://clientlogin.mbrbilling.com/)

Connect with us! [![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hubfs/MBR-Images/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/MedBillResources) [![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hubfs/MBR-Images/twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/#!/MedBillResource) [![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hubfs/MBR-Images/linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-billing-resources) [![](https://www.mbrbilling.com/hubfs/MBR-Images/rss.png)](https://www.mbrbilling.com/CMS/UI/Modules/BizBlogger/rss.aspx?tabid=484940&moduleid=1043750&maxcount=25&u=107101&t=BBE4D262E126601B3B04C3F46C38B13F)

© 2012 Medical Billing Resources - All Rights Reserved   
 28237 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 100 | Farmington Hills, MI 48334 | Local: 248.932.2607 | Toll Free: 800-895-9563 | Fax: 248-932-2863