Articles and Blogs

Executive Summary Large scale data breaches have been in the media spotlight lately.  In addition to federal requirements for protecting patient information, health care providers should familiarize themselves and stay up to date with state data breach requirements.  The reporting process for data breaches of personal information for Indiana residents to the Indiana Attorney... READ MORE

The OIG is soliciting proposals and recommendations for additional Anti-Kickback Statute, Safe Harbors and OIG Special Fraud Alerts.1  The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requires an annual notice period to solicit these comments in order to identify and protect non-abusive arrangements from the Anti-Kickback Statute. READ MORE

Executive Summary Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman is forming a group appeal relating to a negative payment adjustment made by CMS and implemented in the Federal Fiscal Year (“FFY”) 2014 Final Inpatient Prospective Payment System (“IPPS”) rule published August 19, 2013.  By this rule, CMS decreased IPPS payments to hospitals by 0.2% to offset... READ MORE

This past year has seen some of the biggest changes for health care providers in recent memory.  While the shutdown of the federal government and the rollout of HealthCare.gov made headlines around the country in 2013, many additional important recent health law developments have impacted, or will impact, your hospital or health system just as... READ MORE

Executive Summary The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) is a major litigation risk for hospitals and health care providers who use text messages, artificial or pre-recorded voice messages and other automated dialing technologies to reach patients.  Hundreds of class action lawsuits have been filed in recent years seeking damages that amount to millions of... READ MORE

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On December 26, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced that it reached a settlement with a Massachusetts dermatology practice (“Physician Practice”) stemming from alleged violations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) Privacy Rule. The settlement follows an investigation by the HHS Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) upon... READ MORE

Master Financing Agreements are a great financing tool for everyone considering tax-exempt financing and are now available in Indiana.  On December 19, 2013, the Indiana Finance Authority (the “IFA”) authorized a turn-key Master Financing Agreement program (the “MFA Program”).  MFA Programs are also available in other states and in some cases may be implemented with... READ MORE

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As 2013 winds to a close, some Indiana hospitals already have completed their first Community Health Needs Assessments (“CHNAs”) and related Implementation Strategies required under the Affordable Care Act, while others are putting the finishing touches on those documents.  Although the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has clarified what most tax-exempt Hospital Organizations must do... READ MORE