Articles and Blogs

Under the federal Stark Law, hospitals, physician groups, labs and other provider entities may provide non-monetary (i.e., non-cash or cash equivalent) compensation to physicians up to an aggregate amount of $519 for calendar year 2025. The dollar limit for “medical staff incidental benefits” provided by a hospital to a member of its medical staff... READ MORE

On November 21, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued revised guidance under QSO-25-09-ALL, updating Core Appendix Q of the State Operations Manual regarding findings of immediate jeopardy. These updates are intended to enhance transparency, standardize immediate jeopardy determinations and improve communication with providers, suppliers and laboratories. These revisions apply to... READ MORE

The health care real estate industry experienced breakthroughs and challenges in 2024. Below are key takeaways and trends tracked throughout the year. To subscribe to our weekly health care real estate briefing, click here. Fed Lowered Interest Rates In 2024, the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate three consecutive times. The Fed cut... READ MORE

Starting January 1, 2025, Illinois will join a growing list of states that require employers to provide salary and benefits information on job postings. The trend in salary transparency laws reflects the public policy goal of cultivating a more transparent and equitable employment market. New Pay Transparency Requirements in Illinois As of January 1,... READ MORE

On December 21, 2024, Congress passed the American Relief Act, 2025 (“Continuing Resolution”), which was signed into law over the weekend. While the Continuing Resolution contains numerous health care-related provisions, several will be of particular interest to those following the virtual care payment policy closely. The telehealth-specific provisions will: Extend the pandemic-era Medicare telehealth... READ MORE

On December 23, 2024, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit revived the enforceability of the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). A federal district court in Texas previously issued a nationwide preliminary injunction preventing the federal government from enforcing the CTA. What does this mean for health care... READ MORE

The following is our summary of significant nursing home legal and regulatory developments during 2024 of interest to nursing home providers and operators. 1. Staffing Mandate Rule. The “Minimum Staffing Standards for Long Term Care Facilities” final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2024, establishing a phased implementation of a... READ MORE

NATIONAL 5 PE moves ASC leaders are eyeing Academic health systems benefitting from for-profit selling spree Amazon’s top 10 healthcare moves in ’24 Amazon One Medical faces lawsuit over telehealth patient death Bipartisan bills in Congress would force insurance companies, PBMs to sell pharmacies CMS rolls out 5-year plan to ‘optimize’ care delivery CMS... READ MORE

Hall Render is proud to present the next installment of the Black Health Care Executive Spotlight, a series celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black leaders in the health care industry. Through interviews with executives from hospitals, health systems and other provider groups, the series aims to showcase the diverse perspectives shaping the future... READ MORE

The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates by a quarter-point, the third consecutive meeting where it has lowered borrowing costs. For 2025, the Fed projected just two rate cuts, down from the four the Fed had predicted in September. Health systems have increased the rate at which they are buying back outpatient medical buildings from... READ MORE