For invitations to our events and updates on key legal issues and business concerns:
Please Click HerePosted on February 23, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
An interesting development transpired Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in a case pending in Federal District Court in the District of Columbia that challenges subsidy payments from the Federal Treasury to support Obamacare. The case was originally filed by House Republicans in 2014 challenging the constitutionality of the Obama administration’s authorization and payment of funds from […]
Posted on February 22, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
On January 13, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Recommendations to Providers Regarding Cyber Security. In general, the Recommendations are intended to remind providers and suppliers to keep current with best practices regarding mitigation of cybersecurity attacks. The Recommendations contain an interesting discussion of some of the current cyber threats that […]
Posted on February 21, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
A few months ago, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on the guilty plea of an Atlanta dentist for Medicaid fraud. Just this week, the dentist was sentenced to serve a year and a half in federal prison. The dentist was alleged to have netted around $1 million in fraudulently obtained reimbursement from the Medicaid program. As […]
Posted on February 17, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
On February 17, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule aimed at reforming and stabilizing the individual and small group health insurance markets. When (or if) finalized, the proposed rule would make changes to special enrollment periods, the annual open enrollment period, guaranteed availability, network adequacy rules, essential community […]
Posted on February 17, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a final rule to update and modernize the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records regulations effective February 17, 2017. The new regulations contain special confidentiality restrictions relating to information pertaining to patients receiving treatment for a substance use disorder under a Federal program. […]
Posted on February 14, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a final rule that revises and modernizes the Conditions of Participation (COP) for Home Health Agencies. The Final Rule can be found in its entirety at: Final Home Health Rule (CMS-3819-F). The new Rule describes the conditions Home Health Agencies (HHA) must meet in order to […]
Posted on February 10, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) released a memo specifying maneuvers or techniques that may not be used at any time in community based programs and facilities. DHS deems the prohibited maneuvers or techniques to “present an inherently high risk of serious injury and even death.” Providers are directed by DHS to immediately discontinue […]
Posted on February 9, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
I am often asked my opinion whether a general counsel can also serve in the role of compliance officer. At first blush, it seems the general counsel would be a perfect fit for the role because of general knowledge of regulations applicable to the organization. Clients are often surprised when I tell them it is […]
Posted on January 27, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The HHS Office of Inspector General recently released a report indicating deficiencies in hospice election statements and physician certification of patient eligibility for hospice care. Medicare hospice care provides help to patients who are terminally ill continue life with minimal disruptions. In order to qualify for hospice benefits, a physician must certify the patient is […]
Posted on January 26, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
We can learn some valuable lessons about compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) from settlements that are announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). These settlements give us guidance of issues OCR considered important as well as their interpretation of various […]