The HLP is proud to announce that the HLP’s founding partner, Adrienne Dresevic, Esq., and former division director at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Donald H. Romano, Esq., co-authored the featured article of the April issue of American Bar Association (ABA)’s The Health Lawyer entitled The “The…
Health Law Attorney Blog
CVS Pharmacy, Inc. Settles with Government for $17.5 Million
On April 15, CVS Pharmacy, Inc. agreed to pay the United States and 10 states $17.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations related to Medicaid billings for prescription drugs. These allegations were introduced to the government by a qui tam whistleblower. According to the Department of Justice press release,…
CMS’ RACs Implementing a “Semi-Automated” Claims Review
The Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) are introducing another weapon in their artillery: semi-automated claims review. Although semi-automated claims review is not specifically authorized by the RAC Statement of Work, the method is essentially a combination of an automated claims review and a complex claims review. CMS describes a semi-automated…
OIG Focuses on Mental Health Centers
On February 16, we wrote about a $200 million healthcare fraud scheme in southern Florida in connection with improper billing for Medicare mental health services. In an April 14 Department of Justice press release, the two orchestrators of the fraud scheme–Lawrence Duran and Marianella Valera–pleaded guilty at an arraignment hearing…
The HLP and Decision Health Announce Upcoming June Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada: “Physician-Hospital Alignment Strategies 2011”
Join Carey Kalmowitz, Esq. of The Health Law Partners, P.C. in Las Vegas, Nevada for a conference that will answer all of your questions regarding the growing movement towards greater physician-hospital alignment. Declining reimbursement, uncertainty over health care reform, increased competition, the need to access capital and the overall economy…
Joel Kahn, M.D. is Named to Two New Medical Director Positions at DMC
Dr. Joel Kahn has been named Detroit Medical Center’s (DMC) Medical Director of Wellness and Medical Director of Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation. Dr. Kahn plans to develop a clinic for preventive cardiology as well as reopening a cardiac rehabilitation program for DMC. For more information, please contact Robert S.…
Model Legislation for Balance Billing Adopted by NCOIL
The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) adopted model legislation to restrict out-of-network balance billing by physicians. The stated purpose of the model-legislation is “to provide transparency, accountability, and disclosure by healthcare facilities, facility-based providers, and health benefit plans regarding billing practices, notice of network benefits, and financial responsibilities in…
Face-to-Face Encounter Requirement for Hospice and Home Health Providers Effective NOW
Effective April 1, 2011, hospice and home health providers will be required to comply with the face-to-face rule for purposes of verification of a patient’s eligibility for Medicare home health services and of recertification for Medicare hospice services. Enforcement of this requirement was delayed from January 1, 2011, in order…
Alan G. Gilchrist, Esq. Joins The HLP to Lead Civil False Claims and Criminal Defense Practice Group
The Health Law Partners, P.C. (“The HLP”) is pleased to announce that Alan G. Gilchrist, Esq., has joined the firm as a partner. The HLP is excited to welcome Gilchrist to our growing team of lawyers specializing in health care law. Gilchrist will chair the firm’s Civil False Claims and…
The Highly Anticipated ACO Guidance Has Been Issued!
On Thursday, March 31, 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) provided the health care community with some much needed guidance by publishing its Proposed Rule regarding the Medicare Shared Savings Program (the “Shared Savings Program”) and its Accountable Care Organizations (“ACOs”). There is a sixty (60) day…