Regulation of vascular surgery by the federal government.

Governmental regulation of medicine seeks to protect patients and employees providing health care and to insure fair reimbursement for services. This report outlines workplace regulation of bloodborne pathogens and ergonomics. The investigation of potential Medicare fraud and abuse is reviewed. Mechanisms that control physician payment policy, including the Relative Base Resource Value System, the Correct Coding Initiative, and Current Procedural Terminology, are described.