What does the Stark Law primarily prohibit?

The Stark Law is specifically designed to prevent conflicts of interest in healthcare by prohibiting physicians from making referrals for certain health services to entities with which they have a financial relationship. This law aims to ensure that medical decisions are made based on the best interests of patients rather than potential financial gain to the physician. By restricting these types of referrals, the Stark Law helps maintain the integrity of medical decision-making and protects patients from being steered towards services that could be financially motivated rather than clinically necessary.

The other options do not accurately reflect the core focus of the Stark Law. For instance, allowing patients to seek second opinions is important for patient autonomy and care quality, and is not restricted under this law. Additionally, healthcare advertising and insurance fraud are governed by different regulations and do not fall under the purview of the Stark Law's focus on physician referrals.