Late last year, the CMS published a proposed rule implementing the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. During the comment period, CMS received hundreds of comments lampooning the proposed rule, including dozens of letters from the pharmaceutical industry. Now, CMS is saying that it will delay releasing a final rule until late 2012. The delay means that the required data collection will not start until 2013. By requiring reporting of payments or gifts to physicians, this important legislation was specifically designed to shine a light on possible kickback schemes.

More information for whistleblowers is located at the Nolan & Auerbach, P.A. website.