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b) transportation to and from preventative care services where such preventative services are offered on a <br /> compensated basis by NSMT at fair market value; and <br /> 4 any of the items specified in Part VI below or other items specifically approved by the Compliance <br /> department. <br /> VI. OTHER AUTHORIZED ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUALS <br /> A. The OIG has interpreted the prohibition on remuneration to beneficiaries to permit providers to offer <br /> beneficiaries inexpensive gifts (other than cash or cash equivalents) or services without violating the statute. <br /> For enforcement purposes, inexpensive gifts or services are those that have a retail value of no more than$10 <br /> individually, and no more than$50 in the aggregate annually per patient. The following are the only non- <br /> health related items that employees of NSMT, or anyone acting on behalf of NSMT, may offer, without <br /> charge, to NSMT patients or potential patients, so long as they meet the forgoing definition of"inexpensive": <br /> 1. CPR training offered to the public (or a segment thereof) at large; <br /> 2. participation in health fairs; <br /> 3. written materials (books, pamphlets, etc.) emphasizing relevant health and public safety matters; <br /> 4. small items with NSMT's logo, such as coffee mugs, pens, notepads, key chains, calendars and kitchen <br /> magnets; <br /> 5. greeting cards; <br /> 6. refreshments; and <br /> 7. other items that have been specifically approved by the Compliance Officer. <br /> VII. UNAUTHORIZED ITEMS <br /> A. Under no circumstances should employees of NSMT, or anyone acting on behalf of NSMT, offer any of the <br /> following types of free items or services to NSMT's consumers, referral sources or potential referral sources <br /> (or their respective patients), regardless of the retail value of the item or service: <br /> 1. cash or cash equivalents such as gift cards or gift certificates; <br /> 2. payment of patient's insurance premiums; <br /> 3. payment of patient's living expenses; <br /> 4. waivers of coinsurance and deductibles unless based on financial hardship authorized by other relevant <br /> NSMT policies; <br /> 5. free NSMT services (e.g., paramedics performing services other than caring for an NSMT patient); <br /> 6. courtesy transports; <br /> 25 <br />