Receiving payments in exchange for Medicare or Medicaid patient referrals violates the?

Receiving payments in exchange for Medicare or Medicaid patient referrals violates the Anti-Kickback Statute. This federal law prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving any remuneration to induce referrals of services covered by these programs. Violating this statute can lead to significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as well as exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs. Such practices undermine the integrity of the healthcare system and can lead to unnecessary services and increased costs.