Browse Advisory Opinions

Concerning a proposal by a hearing aid supplier to begin billing Medicare for certain audiometric testing, while continuing to offer free hearing tests to prospective hearing aid customers.

Concerning a rewards program under which consumers would earn gasoline discounts based on the amount spent on purchases in retail stores and pharmacies, including cost-sharing amounts paid in connection with items covered by Federal health care programs.

Concerning a proposal to operate a website that would display coupons and advertising from health care providers, suppliers, and other entities.

Concerning the use of a "preferred hospital" network as part of Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance ("Medigap") policies.

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 proposal for ophthalmologists in a group practice to co-manage cataract surgery patients, including Medicare beneficiaries, with optometrists external to that group practice who would separately charge the beneficiaries for services related to premium refractive intraocular lenses that are not covered by the Medicare program.

Concerning an arrangement under which a company that sells a variety of health care management services will disburse pay-for-performance financial incentives on behalf of a state's Medicaid program.

Concerning the use of a "preferred hospital" network as part of Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance ("Medigap") policies.

Concerning the expansion of a vaccine reminder program to include entities that insure and treat patients covered by a fee-for-service Federal health care program.

Concerning an online referral service whereby post-acute care providers would pay a fee to electronically receive and respond to referral requests from hospitals for post-discharge care.

Concerning the formation of a new long-term care pharmacy and the agreement to manage all of its day-to-day operations and provide all personnel and related services necessary for its operation.

Concerning a network of pediatric charity hospitals plan to: (1) begin billing third-party payers, including Federal health care programs, for services rendered, and waive all cost-sharing amounts without regard to patients' financial need; (2) adopt a new financial need-based policy of providing lodging assistance, in limited circumstances, to patients, including Federal health care program beneficiaries, and their families; and (3) adopt a new financial need-based policy of providing transportation assistance, in limited circumstances, to patients, including Federal health care program beneficiaries, and their families.

Concerning the use of a "preferred hospital" network as part of a Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance ["Medigap"] policy.

Concerning a proposal to extend one night of free post-surgical accommodations to pediatric tonsillectomy patients insured by Federal health care programs.

Concerning a joint venture between two components of an academic medical center to build and own an ambulatory care center on a 50-50 basis.

Concerning a company's proposal to encourage health care providers to use its online program for scheduling meetings with manufacturer representatives by offering the provider an opportunity to select a public charity to which the company would make a monetary, charitable contribution in the provider's name.

Concerning two affiliated corporate entities that each own and operate a freestanding radiation oncology center proposing to provide the services of a dietitian and social worker at no additional charge to each center's Medicare cancer patients as part of the patients' treatment.

Concerning a proposed rewards program for referrals of prospective residents to the requestor's continuing care retirement communities by current residents and employees.

Concerning the use of a "preferred hospital" network as part of a Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance ["Medigap"] policy.

Concerning the use of a "preferred hospital" network as part of a Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance ["Medigap"] policy.