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,…
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,…
Effective January 1, 2012, Highmark Medicare Services (“Highmark”) was acquired by Diversified Service Options, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc.). As a result of the acquisition, Highmark changed its name to Novitas Solutions, Inc. (“Novitas”). Novitas will continue Highmark’s role as the Medicare…
As we reported in a previous blog entry, HHS recently encouraged prescription drug plans to delay the payment of suspicious claims and to take proactive measures to prevent prescription drug fraud such as requiring pre-authorizations and limiting payment of controlled substances beyond a thirty-day supply . Now, it seems that…
BREAKING NEWS: The HLP Welcomes New Attorneys and Opens Office in Lake Success, NY The Health Law Partners proudly announces that a group of prominent attorneys, widely considered among the top-tier of health care lawyers in NY, are joining our firm effective February 1. In addition to our Southfield, MI,…
On December 30, 2011, CMS issued an informational bulletin CPI-B 12-01 entitled, Affordable Care Act Program integrity Provisions – Guidance to States – Section 6411(a) – Expansion of the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Program to Medicaid (“Bulletin”). By way of brief background, Section 6411(a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable…
Due to the “significant program integrity problems” presented to the Medicare program by durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (“DMEPOS”) suppliers, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) issued a report, Program Integrity Problems with Newly Enrolled Medicare Equipment Suppliers (“Report”). In its Report, the OIG aimed describes the aim…
In the December 19, 2011 Federal Register, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued its proposed rule for the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (“Proposed Rule”), which was promulgated as a result of Section 6002 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”). Section 6002 requires applicable manufacturers…