OIG approves hospital plans to share cost savings with doctors
February 15th, 2008 Posted by: Dr. Cox
Two hospital agreements to share with physicians some of the cost savings derived from quality-of-care measures are not likely to violate federal fraud and anti-kickback statutes, according to a pair of Jan. 14 advisory opinions by the Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.
Gainsharing agreements let hospitals pass to doctors some of the savings facilities reap due to, in part, the physicians’ efforts to increase quality and efficiency. Experts said the OIG letters not only offer added insight into what the government sees as acceptable collaboration but also may signal a recognition that gainsharing arrangements — if done right — can be a viable way to improve quality.