Articles and Blogs

Executive Summary CMS issued a proposed rule that, if finalized, may make it harder for hospitals to file cost report-based appeals or possibly reimbursement-related appeals from the Federal Register.  Hall Render has already submitted comments to CMS on behalf of its client hospitals, but hospitals are welcomed and encouraged to submit their own comments to... READ MORE

Recently, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (which has jurisdiction over courts in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee) held that allowing a disabled employee to telecommute could be a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. READ MORE

On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, in a letter to American Hospital Association President Richard Umbdenstock, Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius confirmed that private, not-for-profit foundations can use properly structured premium support programs to make premium payments to Qualified Health Plans (“QHPs”) on behalf of QHP enrollees.1  In this latest guidance on the... READ MORE

The Impact of Cantor’s Loss on Health Legislation On Tuesday, June 10, shockwaves rippled through Washington as House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) was defeated in a Congressional primary.  The result led to the announcement of his immediate resignation as the House Majority Leader effective July 31.  Tuesday’s stunning results could impact the direction... READ MORE

On May 28, 2014, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals reaffirmed that a governmental body that refuses to abide by the Open Records Law risks being ordered to pay attorney’s fees and costs for those who seek to compel disclosure of those records.  In The Journal Times v. City of Racine Board of Police and... READ MORE

NLRB Often Strikes Down Common Employer Rules For several years now, the NLRB that governs labor and management relations in the private sector has been striking down employer rules that interfere with employee rights to form, join or associate with labor unions or to engage in activity for their mutual aid and protection –... READ MORE

You would think that an employee who told his boss – to his face – that he was a “f***ing crook” and an “a**hole” and that the boss “would regret it if you fire me” – SHOULD be fired.  Not according to the NLRB. READ MORE

Hospital Physician Practice Acquisitions: How Electronic Medical Records Impact READ MORE

The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) recently proposed a rule that would allow certain spouses of H-1B workers to apply for employment authorization in the United States.  Click here to view the full text of the rule.  READ MORE

HHS Releases New Hospital Charge Data On June 2, CMS announced its first annual update to the Medicare hospital charge data as well as to the other data products and tools intended to increase transparency about Medicare payments.  The information compares the average amount a hospital bills for services that may be provided in... READ MORE