The Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) is intended to protect the integrity of which programs by prohibiting payments to influence referrals?

• A. Federally funded health care programs
• B. Private insurance plans only
• C. State Medicaid programs exclusively
• D. Medicare Advantage only

Answer: (A)

Payments to influence referrals for items or services that are paid for by federal health care programs are prohibited under the Anti-Kickback Statute. This means the statute is designed to protect the integrity of programs funded by the federal government, such as Medicare and Medicaid, by preventing illegal remuneration tied to referrals.

So the best answer captures the broad scope: federally funded health care programs. The other options are not correct because private insurance plans are not federal programs, and while Medicaid involves federal funding, the statute isn’t limited to Medicaid alone. Medicare Advantage is part of the Medicare umbrella, but the AKS applies to any arrangement affecting referrals for services paid by any federal program, not just that one plan.