The Physician Self-Referral Statute, commonly called the Stark Law, prohibits a physician from making a referral to an entity for the furnishing of a designated health service for which payment may be made under Medicare or Medicaid if the physician or an immediate family member has a financial relationship with the entity, unless an exception applies. This being a strict liability law, no proof of specific intent is required. There are strict, complex, and narrowly construed "safe harbors" and exceptions to both the Anti-Kickback and Stark laws, but the field is complex, so providers contemplating health care business deals should proceed cautiously and seek specific advice from experienced legal counsel.
Dr. S.Y. Tan is a former professor of medicine and adjunct professor of law at the University of Hawaii. This article is meant to be educational and does not constitute medical, ethical or legal advice. It is adapted from the author’s book, "Medical Malpractice: Understanding the Law, Managing the Risk" (2006). For additional information, readers may contact the author.