Articles and Blogs

On March 18, 2024, the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) issued an update to its December 2022 Bulletin regarding the usage of online tracking technologies by HIPAA-regulated entities. When originally published, the Bulletin aimed to clarify when identifiable information collected by tracking technologies on a regulated entity’s website may constitute protected health information (“PHI”)... READ MORE

CMS recently issued a final rule to require health care payers to improve communications between the payers, providers and patients and to improve the prior authorization processes (“Final Rule”). The Final Rule aims to improve electronic exchange of health care data with a particular focus on improving the prior authorization process through the implementation... READ MORE

The cybersecurity incident recently experienced by Change Healthcare has materially disrupted the health care delivery system and created significant financial, operational and legal challenges for many health care organizations. Organizations impacted by this incident should be careful to react thoughtfully and deliberately when addressing these challenges to ensure that any steps taken do not... READ MORE

NATIONAL 3 things to expect from the pharmaceutical supply chain in 2024 Absence of AI hospital rules worries nurses American Academy of Dermatology votes to keep its diversity policies after anti-DEI proposal Are digital health partnerships replacing M&A? Becerra to stakeholders: It’s time to take accountability for cybersecurity Biden’s $7.3 trillion budget: 16 healthcare... READ MORE

Average MOB cap rates have increased for five consecutive quarters, ending Q4 2023 at 6.9%. Average MOB triple-net asking rent increased by 0.4% year-over-year to $23.66 per sf. Hackensack Meridian Health (NJ) broke ground on a $200M health and wellness facility being built adjacent to a public transit facility to enhance access for patients.... READ MORE

On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office for Civil Rights and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (“SAMHSA”) issued a Final Rule that modified the “Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records” regulated by 42 CFR Part 2 (“Part 2”). The Final Rule was published... READ MORE

On January 30, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued a Request For Information (“RFI”) seeking input from interested parties regarding Medicare Advantage (“MA”) data. CMS’s goals for the RFI are to enhance data capabilities “to have better insight into [MA] programs, consider areas to increase MA data transparency, and propose... READ MORE

NATIONAL 34.5% of hospitals complying with price transparency rule, report says 19 health systems that partner with Amazon’s One Medical AHA Expresses Concerns with UHG Program in Response to Cyberattack on Change Healthcare As Medicare price negotiations roll on, drugmakers counter HHS’ initial offers At HIMSS24, perspective on safeguarding ePHI and restricting unauthorized access... READ MORE

Georgia legislators have passed a bill to relax Certificate of Need rules for certain hospital projects in rural areas of the state. The bill still requires additional approvals before it becomes law. Florida legislators proposed a series of bills to limit the liability of passive investors in assisted living facilities (“ALFs”) located in Florida.... READ MORE

On March 1, 2024, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled that the Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) is unconstitutional because it exceeds Congress’s enumerated powers under the United States Constitution. The CTA, enacted on January 1, 2024, mandates the creation of the Beneficial Ownership Secure System database and... READ MORE