Articles and Blogs

Year: 2012

RAC Error Impacting Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin Part A Providers

[04/27/12]

Posted on April 27, 2012 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

On April 26, 2012, Corporate Communications at National Government Services, Inc. issued the following statement: “Recently, the Region B Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC), CGI Federal, announced that ‘Based on a technical error discovered, CGI finds the Rituximab edit, an automated take back, was disallowed in error. Therefore, CGI reverses the original decision on... READ MORE

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IRS Comments on Exempt Organization Governance Study and Significant Diversion of Assets

[04/27/12]

Posted on April 27, 2012 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

In a speech delivered at an educational conference on April 19, Lois Lerner, Director of the Exempt Organizations Division at the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), reported the preliminary findings from an analysis of governance practices of exempt organizations and signaled that good governance will continue to be a focal point for the IRS.  The... READ MORE

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NLRB’s New Quickie Election Rule Procedures Outlined

[04/26/12]

Posted on April 26, 2012 in HR Insights for Health Care

Written by: Stephen W. Lyman

In a memo issued today, NLRB Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon outlined in detail how regional offices will implement new representation case procedures that take effect on Monday, April 30. The guidance covers the entire representation case process from beginning to end, incorporating to the extent necessary the new rules and the procedures that... READ MORE

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DISMISSED!

[04/26/12]

Posted on April 26, 2012 in Litigation Analysis

Published by: Hall Render

The Federal Court in the Southern District of Ohio dismissed a debtor’s claim against Reid Hospital, in Richmond, Indiana, and one of its employees, under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (“FDCPA”). The Court found that the Hospital was a creditor to whom the Plaintiff owed a debt, and therefore could not be held... READ MORE

CMS Releases Final Rule Requiring Providers to Include NPI on Enrollment and Claim Filings

[04/26/12]

Posted on April 26, 2012 in Long-Term Care, Home Health & Hospice

Written by: Bufford, David W.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just released a final rule requiring all providers of medical or other items or services and suppliers that qualify for a National Provider Identifier (NPI) to include their NPI on all applications to enroll in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and on all claims for payment submitted... READ MORE

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Only One Week Left to Submit License to NSC in Round 2 Competitive Bidding

[04/25/12]

Posted on April 25, 2012 in Long-Term Care, Home Health & Hospice

Written by: Kendra Conover

Suppliers participating in Round 2 and/or the national mail-order competition of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (“DMEPOS”) Competitive Bidding Program must have all applicable state licenses on file with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (“NSC”). Bidding suppliers must ensure that copies of applicable state licenses are recieved by the NSC on... READ MORE

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HHS Announces HIPAA Settlement with Physician Practice

[04/25/12]

Posted on April 25, 2012 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

On April 17, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced that it had reached a settlement with Phoenix Cardiac Surgery, P.C. (the “Practice”) arising from potential violations of the Privacy and Security Rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).  This is the first Resolution Agreement under... READ MORE

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Home Health Agency Patient Surveys Now Available for Consumers

[04/24/12]

Posted on April 24, 2012 in Long-Term Care, Home Health & Hospice

Written by: Bufford, David W.

Consumers can now compare results from home health agencies (HHA) patient surveys on the Quality Care Finder website.  These results are designed to create incentives for HHAs to improve quality of care, as well as to give patients additional information as to the type of care they will receive from a particular agency.  The Centers... READ MORE

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Employee Scholarships – Taxing Questions for You

[04/23/12]

Posted on April 23, 2012 in HR Insights for Health Care

Written by: Jennifer H. Richter,

If you are one of those generous employers who provides educational scholarships to current employees and prospective employees, we strongly recommend that you evaluate whether you are appropriately taxing these benefits.  When an individual hears the word “scholarship,” they frequently don’t think of this financial award as potentially having tax implications.  However, for purposes... READ MORE

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In a Medical Malpractice Action, the Trial Court Has Equitable Power to Consider A Request for a Preliminary Determination of Law After the Panel Issues Its Written Opinion.

[04/23/12]

Posted on April 23, 2012 in Litigation Analysis

Published by: Hall Render

In September of 2011, the Indiana Court of Appeals rendered its opinion in Doe Corp. v. Honore, 950 N.E.2d 722 (Ind. Ct. of App. 2011). The central issue in the case was whether the trial court had equitable power to consider a request for a preliminary determination of law after the Medical Review Panel... READ MORE