Anti-Kickback Compliance and Federally Funded Insurance Patients

At Crater Lake Dental, we are committed to providing exceptional dental care while adhering to federal regulations that ensure transparency and fairness in healthcare. One of the key regulations we follow is the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), which impacts how we can offer discounts, promotions, and raffles to our patients.

This page explains why certain promotions and offers may not apply to patients with federally funded insurance, such as Medicaid or Medicare. Our goal is to be transparent about these regulations and ensure you understand how they affect our marketing efforts.

What Is the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS)?

The Anti-Kickback Statute is a federal law designed to prevent healthcare providers from offering incentives or inducements in exchange for referrals or services that are reimbursed by federally funded insurance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.

This law ensures that medical and dental care decisions are made based on what is best for the patient—not because of financial incentives.

How This Affects Our Promotions

To remain compliant with federal regulations, the following policies apply to our promotions and raffles:

Promotions and Discounts

We often offer special discounts and packages for our privately insured or self-pay patients. Unfortunately, federal regulations prohibit us from extending these offers to patients with federally funded insurance plans. For example:

Discounts on services: Offers such as “20% off your first dental cleaning” or “15% off for family bookings” cannot apply to services reimbursed by Medicaid or Medicare.
Referral rewards: Credits or incentives for referring friends must exclude federally insured patients.

Raffles and Giveaways

Federally funded insurance patients cannot participate in raffles or giveaways where the prizes (e.g., gift cards, whitening kits) might be perceived as an inducement to seek care at our office.
This restriction ensures compliance with AKS and avoids even the appearance of improper influence.

What Federally Funded Insurance Patients Need to Know

While you may not qualify for some discounts or promotions, we remain dedicated to providing the highest quality care to all of our patients, regardless of insurance type. Here’s how we approach this:

Transparency: We clearly communicate which offers are excluded from federally funded programs in our promotional materials.
Nominal Value Items: Patients with federally funded insurance can still receive nominal-value items, such as toothbrushes, floss, or travel-size products, as part of routine visits.
Equal Access to Care: All patients, including those with Medicaid or Medicare, receive the same level of professional care and attention.

Why Compliance Matters

Adhering to these regulations protects our patients and ensures that our practice operates with integrity. By following the law, we:

Maintain the trust of all patients.
Avoid legal risks that could affect our ability to serve our community.
Foster a healthcare environment focused on patient needs, not financial incentives.

FAQ: Anti-Kickback Compliance

Q: Why can’t I participate in raffles or promotions as a federally funded insurance patient?

A: Federal law prohibits healthcare providers from offering anything of value that could be seen as an incentive to seek care, such as gift cards, discounts, or raffles, for patients covered under Medicaid or Medicare.

Q: Does this mean you don’t value Medicaid or Medicare patients?

A: Absolutely not! These restrictions are about compliance with the law, not patient preference. We are dedicated to providing the same high-quality care to all of our patients, regardless of their insurance type.

Q: Are there any offers I can participate in?

A: While we cannot provide discounts or raffles tied to federally reimbursed services, you may receive small, nominal-value items, such as dental hygiene kits, which are permissible under federal law.

Q: Will I still receive reminders and care incentives?

A: Yes! We encourage all patients, including those with federally funded insurance, to keep their appointments and prioritize their oral health.

Our Commitment to You

At Crater Lake Dental, our top priority is your oral health and well-being. While federal regulations may restrict certain offers, these laws are in place to protect all patients and ensure ethical practices in healthcare. If you have any questions about your insurance or eligibility for promotions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about our SMS and email communication services, or if you believe your privacy rights have been violated,

please contact us: Email: royaloffice@craterlakedental.com

We value your feedback and are committed to protecting your privacy and providing transparent communication.