Articles and Blogs

Year: 2015

HHPPS FY 2016 Proposed Rule

[07/13/15]

Posted on July 13, 2015 in Long-Term Care, Home Health & Hospice

Written by: Robert W. Markette

Value-Based Purchasing Comes to Home Care On Monday, July 6, CMS issued the pre-publication copy of the proposed FY 2016 Home Health PPS Rule (the “Proposed Rule”).  The Proposed Rule will impose further cuts to home health reimbursement.  This is done in part through a continued application of the Affordable Care Act rebasing, which... READ MORE

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Deductions from Employee Paychecks – Indiana Makes Some Welcome Changes

[07/13/15]

Posted on July 13, 2015 in HR Insights for Health Care

Written by: Mary Kate Liffrig

On July 1, 2015, amendments to Indiana’s wage assignment and wage payment laws went into effect.  These amendments allow for additional employee paycheck deductions and also reduce the potential damages to be charged against an employer for making an improper deduction. Changes to the Wage Assignment Statute Sometimes, as a matter of convenience, an... READ MORE

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Several Modifications Underway for Physician-Owned Hospitals

[07/13/15]

Posted on July 13, 2015 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

Executive Summary On July 8, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published a proposed rule addressing many potential modifications to the Stark Law (“Proposed Rule”),1 as well as separate guidance for physician-owned hospitals relating to the required Annual Ownership/Investment Report (“Reporting Guidance”).2  The Proposed Rule, if implemented as currently proposed, would update... READ MORE

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CMS Issues Proposed Rule Affecting Space Leasing Arrangements Under the Stark Law

[07/10/15]

Posted on July 10, 2015 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

Overview On July 8, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published a proposed rule pertaining to payment policies under the Physician Fee Schedule for CY 2016 (“Proposed Rule”).1 In addition to changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies, the Proposed Rule addresses modifications to the Stark... READ MORE

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CMS Proposal to Limit Incident to Billing

[07/10/15]

Posted on July 10, 2015 in False Claims Act Defense

Written by: JulieVanNoy

This week, CMS released the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule for CY 2016 (“Proposed Rule”).  In an effort to ensure that billing physicians/practitioners have a “personal role in, and responsibility for, furnishing services for which they are billing and receiving payment as an incident to their own professional services,” CMS proposed to remove... READ MORE

This Week in Washington – July 10, 2015

[07/10/15]

Posted on July 10, 2015 in Federal Advocacy

Written by: John Williams

Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Contains Significant Stark Law Revisions Late on July 8, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published the Physician Fee Schedule for 2016 in the form of a proposed rule.  While the measure would make changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies, it... READ MORE

CMS proposes new “incident to” rule

[07/10/15]

Posted on July 10, 2015 in False Claims Act Defense

Written by: David B. Honig

“Incident to” billing is a significant False Claims Act risk for Medicare and Medicaid providers. A new proposed rule will change how physicians and physician practices are supposed to bill for services provided in their offices. CMS Proposal to Limit Incident to Billing This week CMS released the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule... READ MORE

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CMS Issues Sweeping Proposed Rule with Many Stark Law Modifications

[07/09/15]

Posted on July 9, 2015 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

Overview On July 8, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published a proposed rule pertaining to payment policies under the Physician Fee Schedule for CY 2016 (“Proposed Rule”).1  In addition to changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies, the Proposed Rule also addressed many potential... READ MORE

The FCA, Advice of Counsel Defense and CMS Commentary Meets the Jury

[07/07/15]

Posted on July 7, 2015 in False Claims Act Defense

Written by: David B. Honig

A recent court decision had highlighted two issues on the cutting edge of health care and False Claims Act (“FCA”) law. Both address what happens in the transition from health care advice to health care litigation. The first is the application of the attorney client privilege and the advice of counsel defense. The second is... READ MORE

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Matthew Quardokus Joins Hall Render

[07/06/15]

Posted on July 6, 2015 in Firm News

Published by: Hall Render

Hall Render is pleased to announce attorney Matthew Quardokus has joined the firm’s Michigan office. Quardokus practices health care law with a focus on general corporate matters and contracting.  He received his undergraduate degree from the Western Michigan University Haworth College of Business in 2003 and his law degree, cum laude, from the Western... READ MORE