Question

You are a new healthcare manager, and in the process of getting to know the practice and the team, learn that one of the physicians (Physician A) in your practice frequently refers patients to the radiology clinic that is owned by her husband, which happens to be in the same building and so is convenient for her patients. Is this a violation of the Stark Laws? One of your senior physicians (Physician B) regularly prescribes a medication for his patients because he believes it works well, although it is rather expensive and not covered under most insurance formularies. However, he also has become a spokesperson for the medication, and the drug company sends him (all expenses paid, and he receives a hefty stipend) to several conferences a year, as well as sponsors (pays for) his continuing education course at an exclusive resort. How would you proceed in evaluating these two situations? As a trusted STEWARD, what personal duties must healthcare managers demonstrate when onboarding new personnel?

Answer 1

# First scenario

Yes ,it is the violation of stark law because she is frequently referring patients to her husband for radiological examination without any requirements.

Stark law is a united states law that prohibits physicians from referring patients for certain designated health services paid for by Medicare to any entity in which they have a financial relationship.

# Second scenario

In this case it is the violation of Anti -kickback law . The senior physician is regularly prescribing a medication which is expensive and not covered under insurance formularies just because the drug company is sending him incentives in the form of paying all expenses , providing him hefty stipend , paying his continuing education in an exclusive resort .

As a healthcare manager , I must take strict actions towards these two cases even though in this a senior physician is also included. Both the physicians are prohibiting the regulatory laws set by united states . They are doing this to earn money by going against their ethics. A proper analysis and surveillance of the two cases should be conducted and a detailed analysis report should be given to the higher administrative authority for review and decision making . Strict actions in terms of punishment and fine has to be given to them so that they don't repeat this in future .

# The personal duties that a healthcare manager should demonstrate when onboarding a new personnel are :-

- welcoming the new staffs

- providing an orientation about the organization

- making them familiar with the hospital rules and regulations

- providing them training sessions and demonstration

- orientation about their duties and responsibilities

- posting them in different departments

- monitoring their work and giving feedbacks and providing them bands.