Articles and Blogs

This installment of Hall Render’s Health Law Broadcast series on health care reform is designed to provide you with the insight, analysis and practical suggestions with respect to the various reform initiatives that will affect your organization.   Amicus Curiae Briefs In a seven-day period ending January 13, the United States Supreme Court received over two... READ MORE

Hall Render Shareholder Susan D. Bizzell, JD-MHA, has assumed the role of Vice-President of Executive Women in HealthCare (EWHC), the third largest professional women’s association in Indianapolis. Since 2008, Bizzell has been actively involved with EWHC, serving as a member of the Public Relations Committee and Chair of the Programs Committee.  In addition to... READ MORE

The operational and financial role of health information technology (“HIT”) is rapidly increasing.  The provision of HIT services and products is generally governed by lengthy and complex agreements.  Unless you are directly and actively involved in the negotiation process for each product or service, reviewing, understanding and evaluating these agreements can be a daunting... READ MORE

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated Section 40.1 of Publication 100-1, the Medicare General Information, Eligibility and Entitlement Manual, to reflect Section 3108 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  This update permits physician assistants to perform the initial certifications and recertifications of a beneficiary’s need for skilled... READ MORE

CMS’s most recent monthly report for the EHR Incentive Program shows rapid growth in the number of Eligible Hospitals and Eligible Providers registered for the program and receiving payments under the programs.  In December, Medicare payment tripled with $89 million in payments to Eligible Professionals and $374 million in payments to Eligible Hospitals and CAHs.   Total Medicare... READ MORE

So-called “superbugs”, those bacteria strains that have developed resistance to antibiotics, have long generated high levels of concern for hospitals and long-term care facilities.  These infections are difficult to treat, and often generate serious complications for individuals with already impaired immune systems.  The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) today published a note detailing efforts by researchers... READ MORE

Some Employees of Religious Employers Are Not Protected by Discrimination Laws On January 11, 2012, the Supreme Court of the United States, in Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, definitively ruled that the First Amendment bars employment discrimination suits that challenge a religious organization’s decision to fire a “minister.”  Although... READ MORE

The year that just ended was filled with an amazing volume of significant developments coming from the National Labor Relations Board affecting private employers.  Those developments were driven by a Board that was never up to its full complement of five members – until now. Recess Appointments to the NLRB Bring Controversy On January... READ MORE

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) voted on Wednesday of this week to recommend to Congress a significant change in the way skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are reimbursed under the Medicare program within the next two years.  READ MORE

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are required to seperately report expenditures for wages and benefits for direct care staff (breaking out (at a minimum) registered nurses, licensed professional nurses, certified nurse assistants, and other medical and therapy staff).  CMS recently posted updates to the Provider Reimbursement Manual... READ MORE