On August 28, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final payment rule for inpatient and long-term care hospitals. This significant regulatory change comes as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader initiatives to bolster service and access in historically underserved and under-resourced communities, targeting improving quality outcomes and augmenting patient safety…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undeniably transformed diverse industries, yet this progress necessitates significant responsibility. In particular, regulators across the European Union (EU) are venturing into proactive strategies to address compliance and data protection concerns around AI and generative AI. Of note, recent cases are demonstrating the critical need for regulation in this continually evolving sector….
When examining child and spousal support – commonly known as alimony – amounts in Iowa, the principal factor that determines these payments is each party’s income. However, the complete narrative encompasses more than just income numbers. Certain qualified expenses could be deducted by the parties involved, modifying the original income value that’s put to use…
Hogan Lovells, one of the world’s leading law firms, recently reappointed Miguel Zaldivar for another term as CEO. Zaldivar’s new term will start in July 2024 and run until 2028. Under his leadership, the firm has reached significant financial milestones, and he continues to have an ambitious vision for the future of Hogan Lovells. The…
The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has announced a settlement agreement. This agreement, which was publicized on June 15, 2023, involves Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital (Yakima), a not-for-profit community hospital. This settlement comes as a consequence of a breach of protected health information (PHI) at Yakima, which…
The regional Healthcare Compliance Conference is set to take place on September 15th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It promises to be a significant gathering for professionals involved in healthcare compliance, offering an opportunity for comprehensive education and networking in the field. This event, organized by the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), focuses on a broad range…
The industrial scenario in the United Kingdom has recently stirred up, with more strikes and industrial actions demanding better wages and working conditions. This wave of unrest has swept across diverse sectors including transportation, education, and health, leading to severe impacts on national level services like the National Health Service and the rail service. This…
In a significant development, Medicare is set to use its newly obtained authority under the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022 to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical manufacturers. This power will be in effect for the first time in 2024. An announcement made on August 29 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)…
Acadia Health, LLC, operating under the name Just Kids Dental, has recently reported a significant data breach affecting over 129,000 patients and employees. The event, occurring on September 1, 2023, was promptly filed with the Attorney General of Maine, providing a stark reminder of the persistent vulnerabilities within the healthcare sector. The firm’s computer system…
For aspiring and practicing law professors, the job hunt presents a unique set of considerations compared to ordinary legal practice. While prestige and rankings understandably hold their weight, it’s important to approach the process from a more comprehensive place. Reflecting on the idea of work and livelihood, certain pointers can be outlined for those looking…
UnitedHealthcare, in early September 2023, issued notification to various individuals across the nation about a recent data breach. An unauthorized party reportedly gained access to a UnitedHealthcare broker portal, creating a disturbing breach of privacy for consumers. The incident was first reported by Console and Associates, P.C. In their statement, UnitedHealthcare elaborated that the incident…
Medicaid recipients in Indiana were recently hit by an unforeseen setback, as the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (“FSSA”) announced a significant data breach involving third-party software, MOVEit. This unfortunate event, released in an official notice by FSSA on September 1, 2023, reveals that the privacy of numerous CareSource enrollees was compromised. For those…
In a recent and significant development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recommended moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This recommendation was made public on August 29 in a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Despite the fact that this move would…
Healthcare providers in New York must pay close attention after an announcement from the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG). OMIG recently updated its Self-Disclosure Program in response to input from Medicaid stakeholders. This development occurred after the program’s revised posting in January 2023. The disclosure process was altered to offer two distinct pathways…
In a new development in the healthcare industry, the United States Department of Justice and medical supplier Lincare Holdings Inc. reached an agreement where the latter will pay a hefty sum of $29 million in order to settle claims of violating the False Claims Act (FCA). The allegations against Lincare Holdings Inc. revolve around overcharging…
In a continuation of mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare sector, private equity giant L Catterton has secured the acquisition of Thorne HealthTech, as officially announced in a recent news release. Thorne HealthTech, established in 1984 and with its core operations based in New York, has made a name for itself as a provider of…
On August 29, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) disclosed the ten Medicare Part D drugs chosen for the premiere series of negotiations of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. Notably, the announcement arrived a handful of days before the September 1, 2023, statutory deadline imposed by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)….
In the world of healthcare, wellness claims are making significant noise. The concept of wellness, with its positive connotations and aspirational elements, presents a promising potential for those aiming to improve their health. However, it has also inadvertently opened up opportunities for disagreements, misinformation, and, quite troublingly, fraudulent schemes to thrive. In a recent report…
In a recent move to curb misuse and fraud within the hospice industry, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took definite steps towards change. August 22, 2023, marked the day when CMS announced the conduct of surprise site visits to each Medicare-enrolled hospice facility across the United States. This drive is an extension…
This summer, Governor Joe Lombardo of Nevada enacted the Consumer Health Data Privacy Act, a law set to take effect on March 31, 2024. The Act is designed to protect consumer health data being managed by regulated entities. (JD Supra) The new legislation sets additional limitations and obligations for regulated entities concerning the collection, processing,…
The domain of public health and privacy is constantly evolving, requiring stringent compliance with certain regulations – notably, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Of particular interest is the recent guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in June 2022, pertaining to the use of remote…
The Managed Care Compliance Conference, a highly-regarded annual gathering of legal professionals from the health plan providers sector, is set to return to an in-person format in 2024. This auspicious event will take place on January 29th and 30th in Coronado, California, as reported by JD Supra. Renowned for its focus on compliance management designed…
The Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) is hosting a Healthcare Privacy Compliance Academy from December 11th to 14th in Orlando, FL. This event is particularly relevant for legal professionals specializing in healthcare law and corporate compliance. The HCCA’s Healthcare Privacy Compliance Academy aims to offer a profound understanding of effective compliance management within a healthcare…
Recent legislative changes in Ohio have imposed revised licensing requirements for hospitals, a development all legal professionals should be keenly aware of. The 134th Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 110, which gave rise to the enaction of Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3722 pertaining to hospital licensing. This critical legislative development in Ohio healthcare law…
On August 31, the Office of California Healthcare Affordability (OCHA) will conclude its public comment period regarding proposed regulations under a new law focusing on healthcare M&A deal oversight in California, due to be enacted next year. OCHA’s chief objective is to bridge the existing oversight gaps in healthcare consolidation. The California attorney general currently…