Which of the following describes a violation of the anti-kickback statute?

The anti-kickback statute is designed to prevent fraud and abuse in healthcare by prohibiting the exchange of remuneration for referrals of services that are covered by federal healthcare programs like Medicare. A waiver of Medicare deductibles can be construed as a form of inducement intended to attract patients or encourage them to use a specific provider, thus potentially violating the anti-kickback statute.

When a healthcare provider waives a deductible, they may be seen as providing a financial incentive that can influence patients' decision-making regarding their care. This can lead to overutilization of services or unnecessary treatments, which is contrary to the ethical principles of providing medically necessary care. The law aims to ensure that medical decisions are made based on patient need rather than financial arrangements.

In contrast, issuing a remittance advice, providing professional discounts, or not completing encounter forms do not inherently involve financial incentives that would breach the anti-kickback statute in the same way that waiving deductibles does. These actions do not directly influence the referral of services in a manner that rewards or encourages unethical practices.