Do doctors get kickbacks for referrals?

I'm pretty sure that more than some unethical physicians practice this however, it is illegal. The federal anti-kickback statute prohibits the offer, payment, receipt, or solicitation of compensation for referring Medicaid/Medicare patients and imposes a $25,000 fine per violation, plus imprisonment for up to five years. Civil penalties may also be imposed, and violators can be excluded from participation in government programs (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare).