The AMA Stark Law Rules of the Road

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Step 1. Are you a physician currently seeing Medicare patients?

Yes No
Step 2. Do you refer Medicare patients?

Yes No
Step 3. Do you refer Medicare patients for any of the following
“Designated Health Services” (DHS)?
1. Clinical laboratory services
2. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and outpatient speech-language pathology services;
3. Radiology and certain other imaging services
4. Radiation therapy services and supplies
5. Durable medical equipment and supplies
6. Parenteral and enteral nutrients, equipment and supplies
7. Prosthetics, orthotics, and prosthetic devices and supplies
8. Home health services
9. Outpatient prescription drugs
10. Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
Yes No
Step 4. Do you refer to an "entity" that performs DHS or bills Medicare for the provision of DHS?

Yes No
Step 5. Do you, or an immediate family member, have an ownership or investment interest in an entity that performs DHS or bills Medicare for DHS?

Yes No
Step 6. "Do you, or an immediate family member, have a compensation arrangements with an entity that performs DHS or bills Medicare for DHS?"

Yes No

This tool and document are intended to provide only general information about the Stark Law based on the AMA's current understanding. The examples discussed are illustrative only and should not be used as a basis for determining compliance with the Stark Law. The AMA provides this tool and document with the express understanding that neither of them create an attorney-client relationship between the AMA and the user/reader, and the AMA is not providing legal advice. The user/reader should seek legal advice from retained legal counsel when assessing compliance with the Stark Law (including assessing changes in the Stark Law or other developments since the preparation of this tool and document.)

The AMA Stark Law Rules of the Road

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