Health Care Counsel Blog

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

Accredited organizations should begin to prepare for the resumption of survey activity in a modified form. Organizations that are experiencing a COVID-19 surge or have other challenges may want to reach out to the accrediting organization to discuss the impact of survey activity at this time.

A HHS Final Rule for Exchange plans states that coupons and copay cards offered directly by drug manufacturers can be counted towards a patient’s annual cost-sharing limit.

Health Care partner Anne Murphy will present during the 2020 American Health Law Association’s (AHLA) In-House Counsel Program.

Rachel Hold-Weiss will present during the 2020 American Health Law Association’s (AHLA) Annual Meeting. Rachel’s presentation “Hindsight is 2020: A Look at Home Health and Hospice in the New Decade,” focuses on compliance and regulatory issues for home health and hospice providers.

In what has been considered a huge win for community pharmacists, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the General Counsel (OGC) issued an Advisory Opinion on May 19, 2020.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

On May 12, the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issued an Order Waiving Restrictions on Pharmacists Ordering and Collecting Specimens for COVID-19 Tests, under the authority of California Governor Newsom’s March 30 Executive Order.

Stephanie Trunk will present during the ABA International Law Section’s 2020 virtual annual meeting. She will discuss how different jurisdictions address consumers’ demand for affordability of prescription drug and medical devices.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) recently confirmed that the deadlines for reporting adverse actions against licensees have not been extended, despite the COVID-19 emergency.

DCA’s Order Waiving Postgraduate Training License Deadline, effective as of May 6 under the authority of California Governor Newsom’s March 30 Executive Order, is the latest in a series of healthcare licensing waivers issued since March 31.

Since March 31, DCA has issued waivers pursuant to California Governor Newsom’s March 30 Executive Order, temporarily easing licensing requirements for PAs, NPs, CNMs, pre-licensure nursing programs and students, and other health care professionals, during the COVID-19 emergency period.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

Partner Anne Murphy authored an article for The Governance Institute titled “The Governing Board’s Role in Assessing Possible Hospital Closure or Downsizing.”

Below are six reimbursement issues that health care providers should be on “high alert” for as the COVID-19 crisis persists.

On May 4, California Department of Consumer Affairs issued another order waiving additional requirements for pre-licensure nursing programs and nursing students under Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations (Code).

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

The California Court of Appeal recently overturned a $13 million jury verdict against the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in a gender discrimination lawsuit brought by a physician faculty member.

Healthcare partner Stephanie Trunk has been selected by JD Supra to receive a 2020 Readers’ Choice Award in the healthcare category.

Earlier this month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued two memoranda detailing the agency’s plan for conducting enforcement actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Save the ER for emergencies – or you’ll be responsible for the cost.” This warning was included in a 2017 letter Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. (BCBS) sent to its insureds, alerting them to a new policy for reviewing and paying emergency room medical claims. 

The Daily Journal named health care litigation partner Debra Albin-Riley a 2020 Top Health Care Lawyer in California. An April 22 article highlights Debra’s administrative litigation work in complex medical staff peer review hearings, and in serving as lead trial counsel in related court litigation.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

On April 17, 2020, the California Attorney General released Opinion No. 15-301, clarifying the deadlines for peer review bodies to file reports to certain licensing agencies pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 805 (805 Reports).