CMS Reports $100 Million in Stark Law Self-Disclosure Settlements, Highlighting Compliance Challenges
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it reached a total of $105,090,031 in settlements related to the Stark Law self-disclosure protocol (SRDP) by the end of 2025. This figure includes a record-high individual settlement of $2,683,066, which more than doubles the previous record from 2018. In 2025 alone, CMS settled 244 self-disclosures, amounting to over $20 million, despite a decrease from the 314 settlements in 2024. The Stark Law prohibits physicians from making referrals for certain services payable by Medicare to entities with which they have a financial relationship, unless specific exceptions are met. The SRDP allows healthcare providers to voluntarily disclose potential violations to resolve overpayment liabilities. Since its inception in 2011, CMS has settled 1,234 SRDP submissions, with 373 disclosures either withdrawn or closed without settlement.