What was the original intent of the Stark Law?

The original intent of the Stark Law was specifically aimed at addressing concerns regarding physician self-referral, primarily to prevent abuse within the Medicare system by restricting referrals for certain health services when the physician has a financial interest in the entity providing those services. This legislation was introduced to combat the potential for increased healthcare costs associated with unnecessary procedures, tests, or services that might be ordered solely for financial gain rather than patient necessity. By regulating these practices, the Stark Law seeks to uphold the integrity of medical decision-making and ensure that patient care decisions are made based on necessity rather than financial incentives. This focus on preventing conflicts of interest helps maintain the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery under Medicare.