Major changes are in the works for the rules governing physician self-referral. They could not only affect the relationship between doctors and hospitals, but cost doctors significant income.

Physician-owned firms, as well as hospital/doctor joint ventures, need to know the proposed Stark regulations and make changes to avoid the $10,000-a-day penalty that will be imposed for failure to comply within 45 days.

In order to help doctors and hospitals, the Estes Park Institute has developed two interactive sessions that focus on the specifics of the changes, look at hospital-physician financial relationships and what to do if contracts do not comply with Stark. Those who attend will learn which hospitals/physicians are affected in the short-term, how to respond to the federal government’s survey requests in a timely manner, and other crucial information.

Since 1974, the non-profit, independent Estes Park Institute has been helping health care leaders gain the tools to enhance the quality of care their organizations provide to their communities.