# Medicare Program; Physicians' Referrals; Issuance of Advisory Opinions
> **Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services** · Final rule with comment period. · Published 1998-01-09 · Effective 1998-01-09 · 63 FR 1646
## Document
- **Document number:** 98-270
- **Category:** medicare
- **Sub-agency:** Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- **Federal Register citation:** 63 FR 1646
- **CFR reference:** 42 CFR 411
- **Publication date:** 1998-01-09
- **Effective date:** 1998-01-09
- **HHS docket:** HCFA-1902-IFC
## Abstract

This final rule with comment period incorporates into HCFA's regulations the provisions of section 1877(g)(6) of the Social Security Act (the Act), as added by section 4314 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Section 1877(g)(6) requires that the Secretary issue written advisory opinions to outside parties concerning whether the referral of a Medicare patient by a physician for certain designated health services (other than clinical laboratory services) is prohibited under the physician referral provisions in section 1877 of the Act. Section 1877 not only prohibits certain referrals under the Medicare program, but also affects Federal financial participation payments to States under the Medicaid program for medical assistance consisting of designated health services furnished as the result of certain physician referrals. This final rule sets forth the specific procedures HCFA will use to issue advisory opinions.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1998/01/09/98-270/medicare-program-physicians-referrals-issuance-of-advisory-opinions)
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