The local laboratory sent Dr. Frune two tickets to the basketball game as a thank you for referring patients to its testing center. This is a violation of?

The situation described with Dr. Frune receiving tickets to a basketball game from a laboratory in exchange for patient referrals is a clear violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. This statute is designed to prevent improper financial incentives that could influence a healthcare provider's decisions regarding referrals or services. Specifically, it prohibits the solicitation, offer, or receipt of anything of value in exchange for patient referrals or recommendations for services that are reimbursable by federal health care programs.

In this instance, the tickets can be considered a form of compensation for referring patients to the laboratory. Such incentives might compromise the integrity of medical decisions because they could lead providers to prioritize their financial gain over patient care. The Anti-Kickback Statute is essential for maintaining compliance in healthcare practices, as it aims to ensure that medical decisions are made based on the needs of the patient rather than external financial incentives.

The other options are less relevant in this context. The False Claims Act relates to fraudulent billing practices, medical necessity refers to the requirement that services be medically necessary for coverage, and the Langdon Act does not pertain to this specific scenario. Hence, the Anti-Kickback Statute is the relevant violation in this case.