Related parties? But I hardly know the guy

When Medicare's auditors determine that a provider is "related" to a supplier of services, to the landlord of the provider's premises, or to the seller of provider assets, costs allowable under the Medicare program are usually limited to actual costs incurred by the related party rather than the higher charges or fees the provider paid. This article will discuss the criteria used by the Medicare program to determine related parties and the available exceptions and special application situations that impact on that determination.