Which of the following is included in designated health services?

In the context of designated health services, the inclusion of inpatient hospital services aligns with the definition of designated health services as set forth by the Stark Law, which prohibits physician self-referrals for certain designated health services if the physician has a financial relationship with the entity providing the services. Designated health services typically include a variety of services provided by hospitals, such as inpatient and outpatient hospital stays, laboratory services, physical therapy, and others that are covered under Medicare regulations.

Inpatient hospital services are specifically recognized as a designated health service, which means they are subject to the regulations and guidelines intended to prevent improper referrals for financial gain. This designation is critical in ensuring compliance with legal standards and protecting patients from potential conflicts of interest.

The other choices—administrative services, payroll services, and outsourced accounting—do not fall under the category of designated health services as defined by regulations pertaining to self-referral and are not typically associated with the same legal and regulatory concerns. These services are more related to the operational and financial management of healthcare entities rather than direct patient care or specific medical treatments that could be influenced by self-referral practices.