What do the Stark I and II rules primarily prohibit?

The Stark I and II rules primarily prohibit physician self-referrals for health services. This means that physicians are not allowed to refer patients to entities in which they have a financial interest, unless certain exceptions apply. The intention behind these regulations is to prevent conflicts of interest that may arise when physicians have a stake in the services they are recommending. By restricting these self-referrals, the rules aim to ensure that patient care decisions are made based on the best interest of the patients rather than for financial gain.

The rules also promote transparency in health care and uphold the integrity of the medical profession by minimizing situations where a physician's economic interests could unduly influence their clinical judgment. This is crucial for maintaining ethical standards and fostering trust in the healthcare system. While the other choices touch on important issues in healthcare compliance, they do not pertain directly to the core focus of the Stark regulations.