Physician Payment Sunshine Act Rules Delayed

HHS this week announced that it would again delay publishing rules implementing the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (“PPSA”), established in last year’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA” or “health reform”). PPSA requires drug and medical device manufacturers to publicly report gifts and payments made to physicians and teaching hospitals. While the law requires public disclosure on an annual basis, it does not limit financial relationships between drug and device manufacturers and physicians.

The penalties for non-compliance with this law are fines up to $10,000 per occurrence, not to exceed $150,000 per year, and for each knowing failure to report, the fines are increased to up to $100,000 per occurrence and $1 million aggregate per year.

Beginning January 1, 2012 all drug and device manufacturers must record all gifts and payments to physicians and teaching hospitals. Manufactures must report this information to HHS by March 31, 2013, for HHS publication beginning September 30, 2013.

If you are a drug or medical device manufacturer required to report or a physician or teaching hospital concerned with possible reporting, and have questions about these new requirements, please contact a Wachler and Associates attorney at 248-544-0888.