Which designated health services are covered by the Stark Law?

The Stark Law, officially known as the Physician Self-Referral Law, applies to a wide range of designated health services (DHS) to prevent conflicts of interest and protect patient safety and health care integrity. This law covers services such as, but not limited to, clinical laboratory services, physical therapy, radiology, and outpatient prescription drugs. Additionally, it encompasses inpatient and outpatient hospital services, as well as home health services and other medical treatments that can lead to potential self-referrals by physicians.

The comprehensive nature of the Stark Law ensures that physicians cannot refer patients for these designated services if they have a financial interest in the entity providing the services, unless specific exceptions are met. This broad coverage underlines the law's purpose to curb unethical financial incentives that could compromise patient care and the integrity of the healthcare system.

In contrast to the other options, which suggest a limited scope—such as only surgical or only laboratory services—the correct understanding acknowledges that the Stark Law indeed encompasses all specified DHS to create a more effective regulatory framework for healthcare compliance.