Browse Advisory Opinions

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

Regarding a federally qualified health center look-alike's proposal to provide information technology items and services, without charge, to a county Department of Health's clinic to facilitate telemedicine encounters.

Regarding an arrangement where a company that manufactures, distributes, and sells medical device and pharmaceutical products provides a limited number of free sample ostomy products to patients and contracts with a third party to conduct follow-up customer satisfaction surveys.

Regarding an arrangement in which certain neurosurgeons have agreed to implement cost-reduction measures in designated surgical procedures performed at a medical center, and the medical center will share with such neurosurgeons a percentage of its cost savings resulting from these measures.

Regarding your proposal to develop a state-wide network of nursing facilities that would provide discounts on the daily rates they charge to private long-term care insurers and the insurers' policyholders.

Regarding a pharmaceutical manufacturer's proposal to collaborate with a trade association, a Medicare Advantage plan, and a hospital system to implement, fund, and evaluate a pilot program to provide the Medicare Advantage plan pharmacists who conduct medication therapy management services with new technology that would permit real-time electronic access to patient discharge information.

Regarding a proposal by a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable corporation to provide financially needy Medicare beneficiaries with assistance with premiums and cost-sharing obligations under Medicare Part B, Medicare Part D, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage.

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

Regarding a retail pharmacy chain's proposal to allow Federal health care program beneficiaries to participate in a paid membership program that includes discounts on certain prescriptions and clinic services.

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

Regarding a hospital outpatient facility's proposal to reduce or waive, on a non-routine, unadvertised basis, cost-sharing amounts owed by financially needy Medicare beneficiaries for items and services furnished in connection with a clinical research study.

Regarding a hospital system's proposal to provide free or reduced-cost lodging and meals to certain financially needy patients.

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

Regarding a local health care district's proposal to cooperate with another district to jointly fund the cost of a transportation coordinator to educate patients about local transportation options and subsidize certain forms of transportation for patients with financial need.

Regarding a proposal to install a computerized point-of-care vaccine storage and dispensing system in physicians' offices for the physicians' use.

Regarding an arrangement in which a hospice would make a supplemental payment to the nursing facilities in which the hospice's dually eligible patients reside when the nursing facilities-instead of the hospice-receive payment for their patients' room and board expenses.

Concerning a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization's proposal to provide financially-needy patients with grants to defray their cost-sharing obligations for drugs and/or devices to treat brain tumors and conditions incident to brain tumors.

Regarding a proposal by a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization to provide assistance with cost-sharing obligations to financially needy individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, cancer, or rheumatoid arthritis.