Stark Integrity

Send us Fan Mail There are some exceptions to the broad definition of an ownership interest under the Stark Law. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade explains what are not ownership interests under the Stark Law. Hear why the definition does have exceptions, how most of the exceptions are deemed to be compensation arrangements, how to treat an unsecured loan, the 7 types of exceptions, and...

Send us Fan Mail Understanding the definition of an ownership interest is crucial under the Stark Law. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade shares why loans are ownership interests under the Stark Law. Hear why you need to know & understand all definitions under the Stark Law, why ownership interests also include loans & bonds under the Stark Law, why you should always self-report,...

Send us Fan Mail Artificial Intelligence (AI) needs a little pushback. In Part 2 of this 2-part episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade continues his talk on the intersection of AI, Fair Market Value (FMV), the Stark Law, and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) with HealthValue Group Managing Partner Chris David. Hear why we need to be human to make AI helpful, how to protect your nonproprietary data AI c...

Send us Fan Mail Artificial Intelligence (AI) can save a lot of time, but you need to use it wisely. In Part 1 of this 2-part episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade talks the intersection of AI, Fair Market Value (FMV), the Stark Law, and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) with HealthValue Group Managing Partner Chris David. Hear how AI is already impacting the healthcare consulting industry, notable ca...

Send us Fan Mail Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) serve a medically underserved population. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade talks FQHCs, the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), and the Stark Law. Hear whether the Stark Law applies to FQHCs, the wide range of financial arrangements that can happen, why it’s important to document those financial arrangements, the most important rules...

Send us Fan Mail Preparing expert witnesses for their testimony is an arduous process. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade dives into expert witness selection, preparing, and utilization with White Collar Crime Attorney Sean McKenna. Hear how to select the right expert witness, how to ensure the privileges are maintained, how to perform role playing during cross-examinations, the types of...

Send us Fan Mail Actively use Artificial Intelligence (AI). In Part 3 of this 3-part episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade talks AI in healthcare law & compliance with Nelson Mullins Partners Bob Coffield & Darren Skyles. Hear why the implementation of AI technology will separate the winners & losers, how to explore AI applications as a Compliance Officer, how to think of AI governance l...

Send us Fan Mail Being unbiased & fair is critical in the healthcare space. In Part 2 of this 3-part episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade talks Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare law & compliance with Nelson Mullins Partners Bob Coffield & Darren Skyles. Hear examples of how AI can be used in compliance, the key questions to put on the table, where there’s greater risk, whether...

Send us Fan Mail Healthcare laws weren’t designed with artificial intelligence (AI) in mind. In Part 1 of this 3-part episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade talks AI in healthcare law & compliance with Nelson Mullins Partners Bob Coffield & Darren Skyles. Hear where AI is already delivering real value in healthcare law & compliance today, the governance & risk management building bloc...

Send us Fan Mail Evaluating the effectiveness of a compliance program is a very important step. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade describes what a compliance effectiveness review is all about. Hear what the 8th element of an effective compliance program is, who should do the reviewing, why it’s all about culture, what Bob looks at in a review, and infamous examples where organizations fa...

Send us Fan Mail Build in time for back & forth. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade breaks down how to deliver bad news with Mimi Bliss, Leadership Communications Consultant with Bliss Communications. Hear the power of the pause, how to use starter or transition phrases, why you should keep it short & simple, what to do if an executive keeps interrupting you, and the key phrases t...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s Stark Integrity is a compilation of all the Christmas holiday specials from 2021-2025. Hear Captain Integrity Bob Wade read his original Stark Law holiday poems, “‘Twas the Night before the Subpoena,” “Rudy the Seasoned Compliance Officer,” “Jolly OIG Agent,” “The 12 Days of Compliance,” and “Captain Integrity.” Share the poems with your team and learn more at CaptainI...

Send us Fan Mail It’s time for the 2025 Stark Integrity podcast Christmas Special! In this special holiday episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade reflects on 2025 and sings his latest custom Stark Law holiday carol, a “Santa Baby” parody. Hear Bob’s professional highlights from the year, the latest with his grandkids & Disney World, his accident involving a ladder, the history of “Santa Baby,” an...

Send us Fan Mail Audit results could lead to False Claims Act liability (FCA). In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade talks through audits and potential FCA liability under the Stark Law. Hear why you should do probe audits, when you need to take corrective action, how to avoid the draconian fines & penalties under the FCA, famous cases involving the FCA, and not-so-funny examples of thin...

Send us Fan Mail Some spouses may not know their financial arrangements may implicate the Stark Law. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade explains the marital considerations under the Stark Law. Hear when the Stark Law is implicated, why you need to train people who are approving payments to understand who owns the companies and their ties to physicians, how to exercise due diligence as it...

Send us Fan Mail You need to know what AI tools your organization is working with. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade dives into AI use (Artificial Intelligence) and guardrails in healthcare with Natalie Ramello, VP, Chief Compliance & Audit Officer, UT Southwestern Medical Center. Hear why integrity is the launchpad for innovation, how to protect the data, why AI requires accountabil...

Send us Fan Mail Could “personally performed” services be compared to a self-driving vehicle? In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade talks the parallels under the Stark Law. Hear why “personally performed” is frequently quoted in the Stark Law and Stark Law exceptions, what deems a service to be a referral, why a referral would not meet the Stark Law exceptions, whether the situation gets tri...

Send us Fan Mail TPE (Targeted Probe and Educate) audits look benign, but could be scary. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade explores TPE audits with Kay Hashagen, Senior Consultant with LW Consulting. Hear how to know if you’re an outlier, the importance of responding timely, why the best defense is a strong offense, how a TPE audit works, and a bunch of things that look benign - but cou...

Send us Fan Mail Interviews are key for risk assessment. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade dives into the value of compliance advisory support with Sheila Limmroth, Executive Consultant and Compliance Officer at Pinnacle Healthcare. Hear why advisory does not equal incompetence, how to grow from within, how to build a stronger compliance program, why no person or compliance program is pe...

Send us Fan Mail Boo! In this special Halloween episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade shares his original poem “Captain Integrity and the Curse of Stark Hallow” and a trip down Halloween costume history. Hear the most popular Halloween costumes from 1950-2005, the top Halloween costume on your birth year, Bob’s all-time favorite Halloween costume, the common theme with Halloween costumes over the ye...

Send us Fan Mail  For every dollar of open payments money that goes into a hospital staff, there’s $7 of increase in spend on average to those firms. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade talks transparency & action as they relate to The 2025 Open Payments Report with Aaron Narva, CEO of Conflixis. Hear why you shouldn’t underestimate the impact of conflicts, how to know your healthcare...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re going to give a gift to one physician, give it to all your physicians. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade rebroadcasts Part 3 of his webinar from September 5, 2025 with the American Association of Physician Liaisons (AAPL). Hear an insightful Q&A session on non-monetary compensation and medical staff incidental benefits, how to handle gift certificates under...

Send us Fan Mail Doctors believe the medical staff funds are owned by them. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade rebroadcasts Part 2 of his webinar from September 5, 2025 with the American Association of Physician Liaisons (AAPL). Hear the benefits you can provide, how to handle lunches for doctors, the difference between employed & independent physicians as it relates to the Stark Law,...

Send us Fan Mail There’s a lot to consider when it comes to the Stark Law. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade rebroadcasts Part 1 of his webinar from September 5, 2025 with the American Association of Physician Liaisons (AAPL). Hear the basics of the Stark Law, notable exceptions, whether you can accept gifts in the healthcare industry, what to do if you’ve made a mistake in Stark Law com...

Send us Fan Mail The False Claims Act (FCA) has 3 knowledge qualifiers. In this episode, Captain Integrity Bob Wade unpacks the difference between actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, and reckless disregard as it relates to the Stark Law. Hear why the 3 knowledge qualifiers exist, how risk impacts the False Claims Act, why you have to look at the history with respect to reviews, examples of the...