Articles and Blogs

In an effort to clear the fog created by its recent skilled nursing facility guidance for visitation, CMS released a list of best practices and key aspects of visitation that skilled nursing providers should follow as they encounter certain scenarios. On December 23, 2021, CMS released several questions and answers in “Nursing Home Visitation... READ MORE

On November 17, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (“ANPR”) with the goal of obtaining further information regarding the practice of telepharmacy. The DEA is seeking input as it considers promulgating new telepharmacy regulatory requirements. Interested stakeholders have until January 18, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST to... READ MORE

*Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on December 21. On Wednesday evening, December 22, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear appeals from decisions that may have a major impact on the enforceability of both the OSHA vaccine-or-test rule and the CMS vaccine mandate. Stay tuned for further developments.   In the... READ MORE

On November 30, 2021, a federal district court in Louisiana granted a nationwide injunction against the implementation of CMS’s Interim Final Rule requiring vaccines (“IFR”) for employees and providers at most health care facilities. The government promptly appealed that injunction. The Fifth Circuit has not yet ruled on the merits but on December 15... READ MORE

On December 9, 2021 the American Hospital Association (“AHA”), American Medical Association (“AMA”) along with other health care providers filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia challenging part of the Departments of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), Labor and Treasury and the Office of Personnel Management (collectively,... READ MORE

Under the federal Stark Law, hospitals, physician groups and other provider entities may provide non-monetary (i.e., non-cash or cash equivalent) compensation to physicians up to an aggregate amount of $452 for calendar year 2022. The dollar limit for “medical staff incidental benefits” provided by a hospital to a member of its medical staff (e.g.,... READ MORE

NATIONAL 5 health systems suspending vaccination mandates Amazon Health IT Partnership Aims to Enhance Clinical Communication Amazon Launches Health IT Innovation Center, Digital Health Equity ASC staff not required to get the COVID-19 shot after CMS mandate blocked ASCs, hospitals can share staff more easily after CMS clarification Biden Vaccine Rule for Health Workers... READ MORE

On November 30, 2021, a federal district court in Louisiana enjoined implementation of the vaccine mandate issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”). The order prevents implementation of the interim final rule until the entire case is decided on its merits unless (or until) the decision is reversed by the Fifth... READ MORE

Update: This article was published on November 22, 2021, and it is specific to developments related to the OSHA COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Significant legal developments occurred this week with respect to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid  Services Interim Final Rule regarding a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for covered health care facilities. Please see Hall... READ MORE

NATIONAL 14.5% Medicare Part B premium hike: 7 things to know 7 due diligence issues to avoid False Claims Act lawsuits 9% CMS pay cut for physicians in 2022, practice costs on the rise 12 more states challenge healthcare worker vaccination mandate AMA urges against blocking federal vaccination and testing mandate Amazon’s healthcare business... READ MORE