Articles and Blogs

Many health care provider landlords are fielding requests from tenants for rent abatement or rent deferral as tenants face the negative economic effects of COVID-19. When those requests come from referral sources, landlords should exercise additional caution. This article explains the regulatory considerations behind the most common approaches to rent relief and provides best... READ MORE

NATIONAL 3 tips for managing physician compensation, coverage in the COVID-19 pandemic AHA pleads for HIPAA waiver clarification, extension AMA trying to save private practices during COVID-19 & more CMS clears way for more nursing home COVID testing, even more telehealth use CMS expands Accelerated and Advance Payment Program for Medicare CMS granting providers... READ MORE

Thursday, April 2 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ HHS OCR Announces Notification of Enforcement Discretion HHS’s Office for Civil Rights... READ MORE

Wednesday, April 1 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Major Hospital Associations Provide Recommendations to HHS on Distribution of Stimulus Funds... READ MORE

On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued blanket waivers of the sanctions under Section 1877(g) of the Social Security Act and its regulations thereunder, more commonly known as the Stark Law. The waivers, which have a retroactive effect to March 1, 2020, will apply nationwide to financial relationships... READ MORE

Tuesday, March 31 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ HHS, FEMA Create Supply Chain Task Force HHS and the Federal Emergency... READ MORE

On March 30, 2020, OIG released a message to health care providers reinforcing OIG’s continued focus on aggressively pursuing bad actors exploiting the COVID-19 crisis but also praising the hard work and dedication of the frontline providers who are serving heroically in this crisis. This is in follow-up to our previous COVID-19-related guidance pertaining... READ MORE

On March 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued blanket waivers of several Stark Law requirements related to COVID-19 physician arrangements. These waivers are welcome news to hospitals, health systems and other providers that have been tackling challenging physician contracting, compensation and staffing issues over the past month. Timeframe The... READ MORE

Monday, March 30 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ CMS Updates Waivers & Flexibilities Late this afternoon, CMS updated the waivers... READ MORE

In an effort to ensure that America’s clinical laboratories are prepared to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS issued a memo providing guidance during these uncertain times. In their discretion, CMS issued guidance on: (1) how pathologists may review pathology slides remotely; (2) the expedited review of CLIA applications; (3) the use of one... READ MORE