Thursday, December 10, 2020 In November 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) each issued long-awaited final rules that modernize and change the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) regulations, respectively. The final rules are generally effective on January 19, 2021. Although these rules are complex and extensive, they aim to assist providers to transition to value-based care by providing greater flexibility and clarity around participation in value-based and coordinated care arrangements. According to CMS and OIG, the additional flexibility in the Stark Law and the AKS does not diminish the laws’ ability to safeguard against government health care program abuses nor does it diminish CMS’ and OIG’s ability to use its enforcement powers to punish such abuses.