"A New Enforcement Reality: Best Practices in Light of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act," West Coast Symposium on Addictive Disorders, Palm Springs, Calif.

Providers of addiction treatment and recovery services should pay careful attention to the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018, which makes it illegal to pay for patient referrals and to offer to pay for patients' transportation or to waive or discount fees to induce patients to receive addiction treatment services. The act imposes prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines of up to $200,000 for violation of the act. The Department of Justice is dedicating additional enforcement resources to ensure compliance with the act.

This program sought to:

• Provide addiction treatment providers with the resources necessary to recognize marketing and operational pitfalls, including activities that are now illegal
• Explain best practices for compensation relationships with employees and independent contractors providing marketing services to your facility
• Explain how addiction treatment providers may legally assist patients who have financial hardships with transportation and costs of treatment