title: Civil monetary penalties--weapon against fraud or instrument of health policy?
abstract: Most physicians are aware of the highly publicized aspects of government health care regulation, including attempts at mandatory physician assignment and recoupment of services deemed medically unnecessary. There is less awareness of the potential pitfalls of civil monetary penalties, as many physicians believe they are primarily applicable to false claim allegations. However, the use of civil monetary penalties is increasing as Congress creates new bases of liability. This development leads to the question: Are civil monetary penalties a weapon against fraud or an instrument of federal policy?
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Barton
mesh_terms: D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005607:Fraud / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008484:Medicaid / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006278:Medicare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States