Articles and Blogs

As we previously posted, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) has been releasing guidance documents regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). You can find our prior article here. One of the guidance documents included Questions and Answers (“Q&A”) that the DOL has been revising and expanding over the last few days, providing significant guidance…Read More

On March 28, 2020, CMS published a Press Release announcing an expansion of its existing accelerated payment program (“APP”) to help providers and suppliers access emergency funding needed to support operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Press Release includes a Fact Sheet with details about eligibility, funding amounts, processing and how the funds are paid…Read More

Friday, March 27 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Congressional Outlook Despite a last minute procedural objection from Rep. Tom Massie (R-KY),…Read More

COVID-19 is taking the world by storm, and in Washington D.C., our legislators have been working day and night to find methods of monetary assistance and relief for families, individuals, and businesses as the country prepares for a temporary freeze in the economy. Here is a quick highlight of the tax and general business elements…Read More

On March 25, 2020, the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748) (“CARES Act” or “Act”). The CARES Act contains numerous provisions aimed at the response to the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, including $100 billion in reimbursement to hospitals and other health care entities for COVID-19-related expenses and lost revenue…Read More

In response to the economic distress resulting from COVID-19, Congress has passed a number of stimulus bills providing financial relief for small businesses. The programs created by these stimulus bills are available to a variety of small businesses, both within and outside the health care sector, including independent physician groups, home health agencies, dental offices,…Read More

As employers and employees continue to grapple with the spread of COVID-19, an employer‑sponsored leave-sharing program can be a good tool to help alleviate the strain on employee populations that encounter circumstances where they need time away from work. If structured and administered properly, certain leave-sharing arrangements allow employees to donate PTO, medical leave and…Read More

On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) issued a statement soliciting questions from the health care community regarding the application of the fraud and abuse laws such as the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”) and the Civil Monetary Penalty Law (“CMP”) prohibition on inducements to beneficiaries,…Read More

On Monday, March 23, 2020, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (“IDES”) published guidance in the form of FAQs that address the COVID-19 related reasons an Illinois resident might qualify for unemployment benefits. Temporary Layoffs The guidance clarifies that an individual who is temporarily laid off because of COVID-19 may qualify for unemployment benefits so…Read More

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (“DWD”) is urging individuals seeking unemployment benefits to apply online at the DWD website before calling due to an extreme influx of unemployment applications. The DWD, which closed all offices across the state to the public in an effort to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and follow the…Read More