Articles and Blogs

On November 27, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) released its Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2012 Semiannual Report to Congress (“Report”) for the second half of FY 2012.  The Report describes some of the OIG’s major achievements related to the OIG’s enforcement, audit, evaluation and compliance work... READ MORE

The hospital industry is consolidating.  Dramatic changes in health law, an increasing squeeze on hospital reimbursement, large capital costs required to provide sufficient information technology support and, in many cases, aging physical plants are factors motivating hospitals to consider affiliating with other hospital systems or entities. READ MORE

The uncertainty regarding the change in federal gift and estate tax laws and the importance of year end gifts are addressed in this inaugural issue of Hall Render’s Estate Planning Insights audio series. Please join Doug Long, Shareholder at Hall, Render, Killian, Heath and Lyman, for this brief discussion by clicking here. Should you... READ MORE

The uncertainty regarding the change in federal gift and estate tax laws and the importance of year end gifts are addressed in this inaugural issue of Hall Render’s Estate Planning Insights audio series.  Please join Doug Long, Shareholder at Hall, Render, Killian, Heath and Lyman, for this brief discussion by clicking here. Should you have any questions regarding... READ MORE

Introduction On October 23, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (the “OIG”) issued Advisory Opinion 12-15 addressing a hospital’s arrangement to pay a per diem fee to physicians in exchange for providing on-call coverage at the hospital’s emergency department (“ED”). The OIG found that the arrangement could implicate... READ MORE

On Monday, November 5, 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that it had reached a settlement with a Missouri-based health system (“System”) arising from financial relationships between the System and some of its employed physicians.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the System agreed to pay more than $9.3 million to... READ MORE

After an election that saw President Obama cruise to victory and Congressman Pete Stark lose his seat in Congress after 40 years, the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”) will live on, though not without some changes.  Focus also shifts to the states and Congress, which must address numerous health care-related issues when it returns for... READ MORE

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