The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued an alert to healthcare professionals regarding risky arrangements with purported telemedicine companies.  OIG urges caution and heightened scrutiny to avoid arrangements that present a risk of fraud and abuse.  The alert includes a list of suspect characteristics of practitioner arrangements, and describes how providers can avoid criminal, civil and administrative fraud investigations for telehealth company kickbacks that involve inappropriately ordered or prescribed items or services reimbursable by Federal health care programs in exchange for remuneration.