Browse Advisory Opinions

Regarding: (i) a proposal to waive cost-sharing obligations incurred by individuals for health care services required for participation in a government-funded clinical research study (the "Proposed Arrangement"); and (ii) the payment of a stipend to study participants for the time and effort required to participate in study visits.

Regarding a laboratory's proposal to provide services consisting of the labeling of test tubes and specimen collection containers at no cost to dialysis facilities.

Regarding an arrangement in which a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization provides certain therapy management services and assistance with Medicare cost-sharing obligations to financially needy Medicare beneficiaries undergoing medical treatment for certain diseases.

Regarding a hospital system's proposal to lease non-clinician employees and to provide operational and management services to a related psychiatric hospital for an amount equal to the hospital system's fully loaded costs.

Regarding a laboratory's proposal to enter into agreements with physician practices to provide all laboratory services for the practices' patients and waive all fees for those practices' patients who are enrollees of certain insurance plans that require the patients to use a different laboratory.

Regarding an entity's practice of advertising and providing free diapers and play yards in connection with the services it provides under a state's home visiting program for at-risk mothers and infants.

Concerning a health insurer's proposal to pay the Medicare Part B premium costs for Medicare-eligible individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease who are enrolled in a group health plan offered by the insurer and receiving dialysis services.

Concerning a proposal whereby a county would not bill bona fide county residents otherwise applicable cost-sharing amounts due in connection with emergency ambulance services provided by the local fire department and a volunteer rescue company, but would instead use tax revenues to cover the unpaid cost-sharing amounts.

Concerning a non-profit community health services organization's proposal to begin billing Medicaid for dental services provided to its patients, while continuing to provide free dental services to uninsured and underinsured financially needy children.

Concerning an exclusive contract for emergency medical services and transports between a municipality and an ambulance company. The opinion addresses the aspect of the contract that requires the ambulance company to reimburse the municipality for a portion of the costs of providing emergency dispatch services.

Concerning an arrangement among a county, a county health district, and various municipalities concerning the provision of non-emergency ambulance transportation services by the county health district.

Concerning a hospital's proposal to provide free access to an electronic interface to community physicians and physician practices that would allow those physicians and practices to transmit orders for certain services to, and receive the results of those services from, the hospital.

Concerning four proposed arrangements involving a pharmacy company's provision of items and services to community homes in which its customers reside.

Concerning a proposal by a radiology group to offer free insurance pre-authorization services to physicians and patients.

Concerning an exclusive arrangement between a county and an emergency medical services company whereby the company provides emergency ambulance services to county residents.

Concerning certain aspects of an exclusive contract for emergency transport services between a municipality and an ambulance company that reimburses the municipality for dispatch services and for certain costs incurred when municipal firefighters drive transports.

Concerning a proposal by a municipal fire department to share certain costs related to dispatch and other services with hospital-based ambulance providers that participate in the local 911 emergency dispatch system.

Concerning a proposed arrangement under which an entity would furnish allergy testing and immunotherapy laboratory services within various primary care physicians' medical offices.

Concerning a hospital's domiciliary services program that provides transportation, lodging, and meal assistance to certain patients and their family members.

Concerning two proposals by a supplier that furnishes medical supplies, equipment, and related services to enter into a contract with a skilled nursing facility to provide such items and services.