Browse Advisory Opinions

Unfavorable opinion regarding a cochlear implant manufacturer’s proposal to offer and provide a free compatible hearing aid to certain patients, including Federal health care program beneficiaries, who receive one of the cochlear implants it manufactures.

Unfavorable opinion regarding a company’s proposal to assist physicians who perform surgeries for which the company’s services are used with the formation and operation of a turnkey physician-owned entity that would perform those same services.

Favorable opinion regarding: (i) the use of a health technology company’s online health care directory by Federal health care program beneficiaries to search for and book medical appointments with providers and the display of sponsored advertisements to Federal health care program beneficiaries on the directory and certain third-party websites; and (ii) certain proposed changes to the functionality of the directory.

Regarding a charitable organization's proposal to purchase or receive donations of unpaid medical debt owed by qualifying patients from certain types of health care providers and then forgive that debt.

Favorable opinion regarding financial assistance for transportation, lodging, and meals provided by a drug manufacturer to financially needy pediatric patients and their caregiver(s) in connection with treatment with the manufacturer’s drug.

Regarding an arrangement in which a county and its department of public health’s emergency medical services division sublease certain space and lease certain furniture and equipment to a private ambulance company that has been granted an exclusive contract for the provision of emergency ambulance transports in certain parts of the county.

Regarding the use of a "preferred hospital" network as part of Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance ("Medigap") policies, whereby an insurance company would contract with a preferred hospital organization to provide discounts on the otherwise-applicable Medicare inpatient deductibles for its policyholders and, in turn, would provide a premium credit of $100 off the next renewal premium to policyholders who use a network hospital for an inpatient stay.

Regarding a proposal to use donations to cover: (i) specialized care furnished to veterans who meet certain criteria; and (ii) certain out-of-pocket expenses related to that specialized care.

Regarding an ophthalmology practice’s proposed continuing education programs for local optometrists and four financing options to fund the programs.

Regarding the use of a "preferred hospital" network as part of Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance ("Medigap") policies, whereby an insurance company would contract with a preferred hospital organization to provide discounts on the otherwise-applicable Medicare inpatient deductibles for its policyholders and, in turn, would provide a premium credit of $100 off the next renewal premium to policyholders who use a network hospital for an inpatient stay.

Regarding financial assistance for travel, lodging, and other expenses provided by a pharmaceutical manufacturer to certain patients prescribed the manufacturer's drug.

Regarding (i) a modification to OIG Advisory Opinion 15-14, issued to the requestor on November 13, 2015, to include within the scope of that opinion, the requestor’s proposal to provide financial assistance for certain past magnetic resonance imaging tests; and (ii) a second arrangement regarding the distribution of certain cooling and mobility items, ancillary to the arrangement addressed in OIG Advisory Opinion 15-14.

Regarding a non-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization's program to help financially needy patients, including Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, obtain magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis or ongoing evaluation of [disease state redacted] (the "Arrangement").

Regarding the provision of free genetic testing and genetic counseling services to individuals who meet specified clinical criteria.

Regarding a program through which Requestor provides certain individuals access to digital contingency management and related tools to treat substance use disorders, where the Program is funded by customers, which could include individuals’ health care providers or suppliers.

Regarding Requestors’ proposal to pay salaries to, and nurse aide certification program tuition costs on behalf of, new employees who Requestors have hired to work as certified nurse aides for Requestors’ home health agencies.

Regarding a proposed arrangement between Requestor and two individuals, pursuant to which Requestor and the individuals would reduce and subsidize certain costs incurred by qualifying patients of Requestor’s children’s hospital.

Regarding Requestor’s proposal to create an online platform for: (i) users to search for and contact home-based health care providers, where providers listed on the website would be charged on a per-click basis; and (ii) advertising by individuals and entities other than home-based health care providers.

Regarding the use of a "preferred hospital" network as part of Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance ("Medigap") policies, whereby an insurance company contracts with a preferred hospital organization to provide discounts on the otherwise-applicable Medicare inpatient deductibles for its policyholders and, in turn, provides a premium credit of $100 off the next renewal premium to policyholders who use a network hospital for an inpatient stay.

Regarding a dental provider’s provision of free routine and emergency dental services to certain indigent residents of skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities.