Penn State Sanctions Take Their Cue From The OIG
The NCAA has announced the sanctions that will be imposed against the Penn State football program. It is interesting to note that many of the penalties imposed are strikingly similar to those imposed against health care providers who are involved in health care fraud investigations: A substantial fine ( equal to one year’s worth of […]
Social Media May Impact You As A Health Care Employer
With the advent of social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, employers have had to confront issues arising from their employee’s use of these platforms both on and off the job. Employers in the health care arena are not immune from these challenges. Over at the Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla IP Biz Tech […]
NEW EFFORTS UNVEILED TO CONTROL PAYMENTS TO MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
As a follow-up to my blog regarding the Massachusetts approach to payments to healthcare providers, the Massachusetts legislature is now attempting to control increases in reimbursement for medical care which is paid to healthcare providers. As can be seen, while there is a difference in approach between the Massachusetts House and Senate, both are attempting […]
DOBI Issues Clarification on Retainer Medicine Arrangements by Network Physicians
In 2003, the Department of Banking and Insurance (“DOBI”) and the Department of Health and Senior Services (“DHSS”) issued a joint bulletin, DOBI/DHSS Bulletin 2003-02 , which severely limited the ability of physicians who participated with HMOs and other carriers, to require their patients to enter into retainer arrangements. Under a retainer arrangement, patients are […]
Job Creation Act
On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, President Obama signed into law the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Job Creation Act). This new law prevents a scheduled payment cut for physicians and other practitioners who treat Medicare patients from taking effect on March 1, 2012. The new law extends the current zero […]
Medicare Publishes Proposed Rule Regarding Reporting and Return of Overpayments
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published in the Federal Register notice of a proposed rule concerning the reporting and return of overpayments to the Medicare program. The proposed rule will require providers and suppliers to report and return Medicare overpayments by the deadlines specified. Providers will need to be very […]
No Valentine to Physicians from Congress as SGR Issue Remains Unresolved
Physicians may need to gear up again for a potential 27.4% cut in Medicare reimbursement if Congress does not address the sustainable growth rate issue by the February 29th deadline. As you may recall from reviewing our earlier blog post, Congress averted a January 2012 reduction, which was enacted together with an extension of the […]
OIG Issues Alert to Physicians Regarding Medicare Reassignment
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today issued an alert to physicians regarding their potential liability on claims submitted by entities to whom the physician has reassigned the right to bill for Medicare payments. The OIG gives an example in which the OIG reached a settlement with eight physicians under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law. […]
Ambulatory Surgery Facility Inspection Reports Now Available On Line
As we have reported in a January 16th, January 18th, and January 30th blog post, legislation which would require the licensure of surgical practices by the Department of Health and Senior Services is currently pending in the New Jersey Legislature. On February 1, 2012, the Department of Health and Senior Services published an update to […]
Bill to License Single ORs is Reintroduced
As we reported two weeks ago, Governor Chris Christie pocket vetoed a bill passed by the Legislature in the last legislative session, which would amend the law governing surgical practices and require them to be licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services. Following a pocket veto, a bill cannot go back to the […]
« go back — keep looking »