“Stand in the Shoes” Rule Delayed for One Year

From the health care department of the Nossaman law firm (http://www.nossaman.com/):

On November 9, 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will delay the effective date of the Stark "stand in the shoes" rule for one year, until December 4, 2008.  The notice of delay will be published in the Federal Register on November 15, 2007.

Specifically, this final rule will delay the effective date of the "stand in the shoes" rule involving physician organizations, academic medical centers (AMCs) and integrated 501(c)(3) health care systems.

Of particular importance is this Final Rule's specific reference to non-profit health care systems, which should shed more light as to how Stark law impacts these non-profit organizations.

We will have a more detailed analysis of this Final Rule available shortly.  In the interim, please contact us if you have any questions or need additional information on these issues.

*Please refer to our recent e-alert, "Feds Do Stark, Again: Phase III," for more information on the "stand in the shoes" rule.