Anti-Kickback Statute – 42 U.S. Code § 1320a–7b. Criminal penalties for acts involving Federal health care programs

A criminal statute that prohibits the exchange (or offer to exchange), of anything of value, in an effort to induce (or reward) the referral of business reimbursable by federal health care programs. Examples of prohibited kickbacks include receiving financial incentives for referrals, free or very low rent for office space, or excessive compensation for medical directorships. Other kickbacks include waving copayments, either routinely or on a selective case-by-case basis.