The exposure frequently arises because physicians bargain hard for the highest possible level of compensation, and the government (or a whistleblower) later alleges that the compensation exceeds fair market value or is not commercially reasonable.
Health care organizations that contract with physicians can face potential liability, as well as exclusion from participation in federal health care programs, under various laws (such as the Stark Law), the anti-kickback statute, and the False Claims Act (FCA).
On September 10, 2014, JPT Group, owner of the iconic American fashion brand Bernardo, filed suit in the Southern District of Texas alleging that Old Navy infringed two of Bernardo’s design patents for sandals.
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a proposed rule adding new safe harbor provisions to the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and expanding exceptions to the Beneficiary Inducement Civil Monetary Penalty Statute (Proposed Rule).
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to reopen and extend the deadline for eligible professionals and eligible hospitals to submit a hardship exception application for not demonstrating “Meaningful Use” of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT).
The FTC recently announced a significant enforcement action against AT&T Mobility for unlawfully billing customers for unauthorized third-party charges, also known as “cramming.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a policy allowing acute care and critical access hospitals to settle inpatient-status claims currently on appeal in exchange for a partial payment equal to 68 percent of the claims’ net allowable amount.
US Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) Office of Regulatory Audit will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 2:00 pm–3:30 pm Eastern Time to provide an overview of its Focused Assessment (FA) Program.
The Study determined that the annual cost of an MET comprising a nurse, respiratory therapist, and ICU fellow, with concurrent patient care responsibilities independent of MET duties, was equivalent to the cost savings associated with a reduction of about 3.5 patient deterioration events per year.
In the City’s motion for summary judgment, it argued that Stragapede was not disabled under the ADA and that the City did not consider him to be disabled.
On September 30, 2014, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit unanimously held that the first-in-the-nation Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance passed by Alameda County, California is constitutional.
On September 30, 2014, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit unanimously held that the first-in-the-nation Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance passed by Alameda County, California is constitutional.
On October 1, 2014, at the President’s directive, the Department of Labor promulgated the final rule raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it is extending the deadline for the Local Telephone Competition and Broadband Report, commonly known as FCC Form 477.
You have the choice of one of two viewpoints: either death always wins or death offers you the opportunity for an extraordinary life. I choose the latter. I choose embracing a post professional career life. I choose never to retire!
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced changes to the “Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise” Rule, or the Mail Order Rule, aimed at updating the Rule for the 21st century and easing the costs of compliance.
Congress created the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program to help the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) identify improper payments made to providers by Medicare and Medicaid.
Last month, a federal district court in Georgia ordered Columbus Regional Healthcare System to turn over communications protected by the attorney-client privilege in a decision that could have a chilling effect on requests for legal advice, if misunderstood.