By Adrienne Dresevic, Esq. and Carey Kalmowitz, Esq. of The Health Law Partners, P.C. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that strengthens the agency’s ability to stop fraud by barring unscrupulous providers out of federal health insurance programs. This rule is unlike past rules…
An Ashland, KY addiction treatment specialist, Dr. Rose O. Uradu, and her substance abuse treatment center, Ultimate Care Medical Services, LLC d/b/a Ultimate Treatment Center, have agreed to pay $1.4 million to resolve civil allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act, and defrauded the Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid programs.…
On April 8, 2019, the American College of Physicians (“ACP”) released the clinical guideline, “Screening for Breast Cancer in Average-Risk Women: A Guidance Statement from the American College of Physicians” (the “Guideline”). The Guideline divides women into three categories based on age and offers breast cancer screening methodology guidance for…
In the recently released CY 2020 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) proposed rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced policies that, if finalized, would require hospitals to post a list of standard charges for items and services provided. This proposed rule updates the requirements set forth in…
On July 30, 2019, a federal jury in Detroit, Michigan, found a patient recruiter guilty for his role in a scheme involving approximately $1.3 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care that were procured through the payment of illegal kickbacks. Following a six-day trial, Dominic Trumbo, 45, of…
This year, key information regarding the Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) program is being released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) via guidance documents. A Change Request was issued July 26, 2019, informing Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that they are to begin accepting AUC-related modifiers and healthcare common…
On July 10, 2019, United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced the indictment of Dr. Vasso Godiali of Bay City, charged with health care fraud in the amount of $60 million, and money laundering for financial transactions involving approximately $49 million in proceeds derived from the scheme. According to the indictment,…
Anyone practicing midwifery in the State of Michigan will be required to be licensed in midwifery beginning August 1, 2019. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) began accepting applications on May 6, 2019. Under Public Act 417, which established Part 171 in the Public Health Code, an individual…
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) recently launched a new licensing platform for physicians (MDs and DOs) and 10 other licensed professions called the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS). The new system is intended to provide an improved interface for licensees and consumers and reduce mailing…
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR HOME HEALTH AGENCIES – In a fact sheet released July 11, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) detailed its annual update to the Medicare rate, as well as its plan for the implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) and other proposals for calendar…