Articles and Blogs

On November 4, CMS released its Interim Final Rule (“IFR”) requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals working in Medicare- and Medicaid-participating facilities, as well as individuals working in certain other settings involving face-to-face interactions with patients.  The IFR requires all clinical and non-clinical personnel working within a Medicare and Medicaid participating facility or other applicable... READ MORE

Hall Render recently published articles (see here and here) on OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”), which includes requirements that apply specifically to health care employers. Implementation of those standards will involve some or many employees in tasks related to COVID-19 safety at the beginning and end of their shifts, including screening and donning/doffing protective... READ MORE

On Thursday, June 10, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued an emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) as part of its National Emphasis Program on COVID-19. In a surprise to some, the ETS is limited to certain types of health care workplaces. OSHA also issued separate voluntary guidance for non-health care industries. Which health care... READ MORE

As COVID-19 cases stay relatively low and the number of vaccinated individuals continues to increase, health providers are faced with a new normal for operating medical office space in a safe and sanitary manner. In order to avoid potential liability from tenants, patients and other visitors, medical office landlords should update facility management plans... READ MORE

In a press release issued on March 26, 2021 (“Press Release”), the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that immediately after Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, the DOJ created an elaborate network to protect the integrity of the $2.2 billion economic relief package. Working with myriad enforcement partners, the... READ MORE

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has announced several fines and citations for violations against health care providers. Violations have included failing to provide training on the proper use of a respirator and personal protective equipment, and the failure to report injury, illness or fatality. And this may be just the beginning.... READ MORE

As we discussed here, the EEOC recently updated its COVID-19 guidance (Section K, specifically) to include information on how employers can approach COVID-19 vaccine issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”). In our previous blog article, we addressed the implications of a... READ MORE

In a recent policy statement, Principal Deputy Inspector General Grimm of the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General (“OIG”), highlighted OIG’s support for increased telehealth flexibilities over the last year and expressed the potential for expanding coverage based on the experience of providers and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.... READ MORE

December 2020 was one of the deadliest months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 77,000 people died from the disease, and over 6.4 million tested positive with daily COVID-19 counts averaging over 205,000 cases. Yet despite these increased numbers and the corresponding effect on the domestic and global economy (another 140,000 workers lost their jobs... READ MORE

Lawmakers in Washington have reached an agreement on a legislative package that will provide $900 billion in COVID-19 relief and approximately $1.4 trillion in government funding in 2021. Highlights of the health care-related provisions include $3 billion more for the Provider Relief Fund, suspension of the Medicare sequester for the first three months of... READ MORE