Flying too close to the sun: Navigating changes to CMS' Open Payments program

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of the American Academy of PAs

Abstract

Abstract

Increasingly, physician assistants (PAs), advanced practice nurses, and physicians are financially involved with healthcare product manufacturers. Although the relationships themselves might not be illegal, when the transaction influences the healthcare provider's medical decision-making, patients can be harmed and the healthcare provider and manufacturer can face accusations of violating federal and state law. In 2019, the federal government recouped $2.6 billion from healthcare fraud and abuse by healthcare stakeholders. PAs' and NPs' behaviors violating the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and False Claims Act (FCA) were partially responsible for the reported amount. To increase the transparency of the financial relationships between healthcare providers and healthcare manufacturers, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, under statutory obligation, created the Open Payments program, which will begin reporting PAs' and advanced practice nurses' financial relationships with manufacturers in 2022.

First Page

44

Last Page

48

DOI

10.1097/01.JAA.0000795884.95432.20.

Publication Date

7-2021

Comments

Hickman K. A. (2021). Flying too close to the sun: Navigating changes to CMS' Open Payments program. JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, 34(7), 44–48.

https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JAA.0000795884.95432.20

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