In this rapidly-changing healthcare environment, providers need to remain cognizant of important deadlines that could affect their bottom lines. Here are several such deadlines under the Medicare program which could significantly impact cash flow. Saturday, June 30, 2012 – “E-Prescribing” – In order to qualify for an e-prescribing hardship exemption…
By an order dated March 30, 2012, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan dismissed an antitrust claim brought by the City of Pontiac against Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), the largest private health insurance provider in Michigan. In the case of City of Pontiac v.…
On March 29, 2012, with veritably no debate and less fan-fare, the New Hampshire House of Representatives recommended for passage HB 1725. HB 1725 is broad-reaching, and would prohibit all medical practitioners from prescribing or referring any FDA class II or class III implantable device in cases where they would…
In an opinion issued March 30, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit overturned a $45 million judgment against Tuomey Healthcare System, Inc. (“Tuomey”), a private, nonprofit corporation which owns and operates Tuomey Hospital in Sumter County, South Carolina. A former physician brought a qui tam…
On March 27, 2012, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) posted a favorable, but narrowly defined, Advisory Opinion (Opinion No. 12-02) pertaining to Requestor’s proposal to operate a website that would display coupons and advertising from health care providers, suppliers, and other entities (the “Proposed Arrangement”). Under the Proposed Arrangement,…
The HLP Women in Healthcare networking events are spearheaded by the women healthcare partners of The Dresevic, Iwrey, Kalmowitz & Pendleton Law Group, a division of The Health Law Partners. The events provide an informal forum for women in all aspects of the healthcare industry to network with their peers;…
The Health Law Partners is pleased to announce that four of our partners – Robert Iwrey, Alan Gilchrist and Dan Brown – have been awarded AV Preeminent ratings by Martindale-Hubbell (the highest rating available) in recognition of their high level of professional skill and integrity. The ratings reflect a combination…
According to a Department of Justice press release, on Thursday March 15, 2012, a man residing in Dearborn Heights, Michigan was charged by Criminal Complaint with health care fraud. 51-year-old Fitzgerald Anthony Hudson was arrested, and could face a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.…
In a Study released March 15, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG), reported on what it determined to be questionable billing by Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) for claims submitted in 2009. In conducting this study, the OIG analyzed claims among geographic areas,…
Medicare released new guidelines regarding the limit on the number of additional documentation requests (“ADRs”) RACs may request per 45-day period. Notably, these revisions constitute an increase for providers. (Note: the revised ADR limits outlined below do not apply to physicians and suppliers.) Effective March 15, 2012, the ADR limits…