OIG Issues Advisory Opinion to Specialty Pharmacy for Support Service Payments
By Lenis L. Archer, J.D., M.P.H., The Health Law Firm
There is an inherent risk in entering into financial arrangements where payments to a service provider are only made when a referral is generated. On August 15, 2014, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) made this perfectly clear in an unfavorable advisory opinion issued to a specialty pharmacy that wanted to pay local retail pharmacies for providing support services to it.
Background of Request for OIG Advisory Opinion.
According to the OIG, the requestor, a specialty pharmacy, dispenses specialty pharmaceuticals used to treat a variety of chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The specialty pharmacy stated that the drugs offered at its establishment are […]