Read the full document at OIG Advisory Opinions.
What this may mean
OIG's favorable opinion in AO 26-18 provides legal cover for the specific referral service arrangement analyzed, one that routes patients seeking ear and hearing care to hearing professionals, under the AKS, meaning the requesting party may proceed without OIG administrative sanction risk. Because advisory opinions bind only the requesting parties and the specific arrangement described, other hearing-health referral services or patient-matching platforms face AKS scrutiny unless their own arrangements materially conform to the factual predicates OIG found acceptable here. The full PDF (751 KB) contains the operative analysis necessary to assess transferability to analogous arrangements.
Informational only. Not legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional familiar with your specific facts before relying on any item.
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