Feds Extend ACO Waivers For Kickbacks & Referrals

On October 17, 2014, the federal Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended waivers of federal rules on kickbacks and referrals to facilitate the activities of Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). The renewed waiver went into effect immediately, and will be in effect through November 2, 2015.

HHS and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are in the process of developing new rules for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). The new rules in development will incorporate CMS experience gained in operating the MSSP since 2011.

The waiver . . .