Florida gives physicians the green light to be paid. On June 10, Governor Crist, of Florida, signed a bill that will allow insurance companies to pay out-of-network physicians directly, if the patient allows. Prior to this law, out-of-network physicians prayed that they would receive their claims payment from patients who…
On June 11, 2009, the Substantive Law Committee of the Health Care Law Section of the Michigan State Bar held a teleconference on the recent Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. Included amongst the presenters was Melanie Brim, the current Director of the Bureau of Health Professions at the Michigan Department of…
The OIG excludes almost 1,500 individuals and entities for fraud and abuse-related crimes. In its most recent Semiannual Report to Congress for October 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009, the OIG includes in its summary of accomplishments “exclusions of 1,415 individuals and entities for fraud or abuse involving Federal health…
Michigan Medicaid enrollment is increasing, due to the challenging economic status of the state, says the Detroit News. However, also due to the state’s economy, Medicaid is cutting reimbursement payments to physicians, causing many of them to turn down new or even all Medicaid patients. According to physicians, the reimbursements…
On August 3-4, 2009, Abby Pendleton, Esq. will speak at the World Research Group’s Healthcare Management Conference titled “Preparing for the Next Round of Medicare RAC Reviews.” Ms. Pendleton, a founding member of The Health Law Partners, P.C., will present among several experts in the field of Recovery Audit Contractors.…
Liability under the Civil False Claims Act has been expanded. On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (FERA) into law. FERA contains amendments to the civil False Claims Act (FCA) that expand liability under FCA and gives the government increased powers to investigate. According…
Out of network patient billing gives rise to many issues. As a result, some health care providers, including physician groups and ambulatory surgery centers, have struggled with the decision to participate or not to participate in various insurance plans. In addition to the political considerations that arise, various state and…
The CFO and treasurer of PRG-Schultz International, Peter Limeri, will resign on May 31. PRG-Schultz is a subcontractor in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)’ Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program that identifies and corrects past improper payments from healthcare providers. As a subcontractor, PRG-Schultz keeps between 9% and…
The Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (“HEAT”)’s formation was announced today by US Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Kathleen Sebelius. The purpose of HEAT is to assist in the crackdown on Medicare fraud. HEAT will be comprised of members…
Ambulatory Surgery Centers (“ASCs”) need to take note of additional federal Conditions for Coverage (“CFCs”) governing patient rights that took effect May 18, 2009. The Amendments to these CFCs, which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published on November 18, 2008, are codified at “Part 416 – Ambulatory…