Impact of Self-Dealing Prohibition Could Hinge on Technicality

By Greg Jones, Western Bureau ChiefA California law described by one attorney as a model for states that want to end physician self-dealing is not as effective as supporters and bill drafters think it is, according to another lawyer who specializes in self-referral and anti-kickback regulations.Assembly Bill 378, which took effect Jan. 1, adds to the California Labor Code prohibitions against physicians referring patients to pharmacy goods when the physician has a financial incentive for making the referral. The definition of pharmacy goods in Section 139.2 of the Labor Code now includes medic...