Articles and Blogs

In anticipation of Election Day, Tuesday, November 6, employers should be aware that Wis. Stat. § 6.76(1) provides employees up to three consecutive hours (during which the polls are open) off to vote. The employee must request the time off before Election Day, and the employer may specify the actual hours during which the employee... READ MORE

Effective November 1, 2012, 2011 Wisconsin Act 160 (the “Act”) creates a licensure process for anesthesiologist assistants practicing in Wisconsin who, since 1980, have practiced under delegated authority.  A copy of the Act is available on the Wisconsin Legislature’s website. READ MORE

Executive Summary On October 10, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of  Inspector General (“OIG”) posted OIG Advisory Opinion 12-14 (the “AO”).  The OIG reviewed a proposed arrangement involving a retail supermarket rewards program that included rewards for a customer’s out-of-pocket amounts spent on prescriptions covered by federally funded health care... READ MORE

This Health Law News article is Part IX and the last in the series discussing the new governance study, “Governance in Large Nonprofit Health Systems: Current Profile and Emerging Patterns.” The full Report is available here. Part I – Executive Summary was published in Hall Render’s Health Law News on August 8, 2012, Part II... READ MORE

This Health Law News article is Part VIII in the series discussing the new governance study, “Governance in Large Nonprofit Health Systems: Current Profile and Emerging Patterns.” The full Report is available herePart I – Executive Summary was published in Hall Render’s Health Law News on August 8, 2012, Part II – Public and... READ MORE

Executive Summary On October 2, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) released its Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2013 (“Plan”).  The Plan provides insight into the OIG’s potential audit and enforcement activities for the next fiscal year.  While the Plan addresses several different provider types, this article... READ MORE

Executive Summary On October 2, 2012, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) published its Work Plan for Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2013 (“Plan”).  The Plan, which is published annually and describes the OIG’s new and ongoing audit and enforcement priorities for the upcoming year, is helpful in identifying corporate compliance risk areas and providing focus... READ MORE

On September 27, 2012 CMS issued an advance copy of the State Operations Manual (“SOM”) revisions to Appendix P of the SOM which addresses Long Term Care Facility survey protocol. The SOM guidance also makes changes to various survey forms resulting from the new quality measures reports. READ MORE

This Health Law News article is Part VII in a series discussing the new governance study, “Governance in Large Nonprofit Health Systems: Current Profile and Emerging Patterns.” The full Report is available here. Part I – Executive Summary was published in Hall Render’s Health Law News on August 8, 2012, Part II – Public... READ MORE

Introduction The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) will withhold 1% of Medicare reimbursement payments as part of the Value-Based Purchasing Program (“VBP Program”) beginning today, October 1, 2012.  This money will be used to fund incentive payments for participating hospitals in the VBP Program.  Under the VBP Program, hospitals compete with one... READ MORE