The Beneficiary Inducement Law is a federal health care program created in 1996 as part of the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA). The law makes it illegal to offer money, or services that are likely to influence a member to select a particular health care provider, practitioner or supplier. Examples include:
Health care providers who violate this law may be fined up to $10,000 for each item or service for which payment may be made, and $5,000 for each individual violation. Fines may be assessed for up to 3 times the amount claimed. Violators may also be excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Allowable Gratuities: Items or services offered to members for free must be worth less than $15 and total less than $75 per year per beneficiary. Never give cash or gift cards to members.