Articles and Blogs

Over the last several months, health care providers have seen COVID-19 relief funds in various forms, from advances against future payments, to pure grant money. In addition to the much-needed assistance these funds have provided, a new stream of revenue has emerged that must be accounted for, and ultimately negotiated, in a health care... READ MORE

In a press release posted after 6:00 P.M. EDT on May 22, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced that it is AGAIN extending the deadline for providers and suppliers (collectively “Providers”) to attest to receipt of payments from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund and accepting the related Terms and... READ MORE

For the third time this week, twice on May 20 and again late on the 21, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) has amended its Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) related to the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. These FAQs continue to build on its recent guidance related to common health care industry... READ MORE

The Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced that it will begin to deliver nearly $4.9 billion from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Provider Relief Fund (sometimes referred to as the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund) on May 22, 2020 to skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”). Purpose? HHS intends for SNFs to... READ MORE

Thursday, May 21 Update Our Federal Advocacy Team is dedicated to providing frequent COVID-19 updates as they develop. Going forward, these updates will be distributed as developments warrant instead of nightly. These updates along with other resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website​. Note – ​we believe this is... READ MORE

On May 19, 2020 the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”) issued an advisory opinion (the “Opinion”) that concludes that the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (“PREP”) Act, “…preempts any state or local requirement that prohibits or effectively prohibits a pharmacist from ordering and administering a COVID-19... READ MORE

On May 18, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 91 (the “Order”), effectively creating an enforceable set of workplace standards applying to all businesses across the state.[i] In addition to standards set for all business, the new Order provides standards for workplace environments, such as offices and research laboratories.[ii] Per the Order, any Michigan... READ MORE

The federal and state responses to COVID-19 have resulted in a dizzying and ever-evolving array of executive orders, waivers, flexibilities, emergency declarations and enforcement discretion (collectively referred to as, “regulatory flexibilities”) that significantly change the rules governing health care providers. Although regulatory flexibilities and relief funds are in part intended to shield frontline responders... READ MORE

It’s a Buyer’s Market The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the financial viability of many independent physician practices across the country. Hospitals and health systems may need to act quickly to help stabilize these valuable community health care resources and also may have opportunities to enhance integration with their independent physicians. Now is... READ MORE

The Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) issued multiple updates related to the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund on May 20. These updates include announcing a June 3 deadline for eligible health care providers (“Providers”) to submit revenue information through the Provider Relief Fund General Distribution Payment Portal (“General Distribution Payment Portal”), updating... READ MORE