Articles and Blogs

On April 20, 2021, Indiana’s Governor Holcomb signed into law a pregnancy accommodation bill. The law will apply to employers with at least 15 employees when it goes into effect on July 1, 2021. Under this new law, an employee may request an accommodation related to pregnancy, childbirth or any related medical conditions. The... READ MORE

On May 11, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released over 90 pages of interim final regulations (the “Interim Final Regulations”) to revise the infection control requirements that long-term care facilities (Medicaid nursing facilities and Medicare skilled nursing facilities) and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (“ICFs-IID”) must meet to... READ MORE

In an effort to “promote economy and efficiency in federal contracting,” last month President Biden issued an executive order (“EO”) raising the minimum pay rate for federal contract workers from $10.95/hour to $15/hour. Beginning January 30, 2022, all federal agencies will be required to incorporate a $15 minimum wage in new contract solicitations, and... READ MORE

NATIONAL 199 hospitals with 1 star from CMS: 2021 455 hospitals with 5 stars from CMS: 2021 Biden Nominates Former CMS Official as CMS Administrator CMS finalizes joint replacement pricing extension with input from medtech industry CMS pitches extra year of add-on payments for Stryker spine device CMS releases final rule on CJR model:... READ MORE

In an April 15, 2021 letter, the EEOC addressed a request for guidance on employer-provided incentives aimed at encouraging employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The agency indicated, at the time, that they were updating their technical assistance guide to address the extent to which employers may offer employee incentives to vaccinate. Specifically, the... READ MORE

Hall Render is pleased to announce that the firm has been included in Bloomberg Government’s report of top-performing lobbying firms for 2020. The report identifies top-performing firms that have exhibited growth in revenue and average revenue per client, high short- and long-term customer retention rates and exceptional revenue per registered lobbyist. Hall Render’s attorneys... READ MORE

The Information Blocking Rule (45 CFR part 171) is only a month into effect, and improved access to medical records, particularly concurrent delivery of lab results to the provider and patient and increased access to provider notes through patient portals, already has led to scrutiny of accurate encounter notes and complicated patient satisfaction issues... READ MORE

As the world anticipates a gradual return to normalcy, there are numerous questions about the extent to which the “new normal” will look like the “old normal,” from the commercial real estate market to social norms regarding personal space and social touching (such as hugs and handshakes). Within employment law, one of the questions... READ MORE

Most of the new changes to the federal Stark and Anti-Kickback Statutes went into effect on January 19, 2021. Since then hospitals, health systems and medical groups nationwide have focused on updating their physician contracting, compensation and compliance programs to align with the new regulations. This alert focuses on specific changes to the Stark... READ MORE

NATIONAL 68% of patients with mild case of COVID-19 get new diagnosis within 6 months, CDC finds 7 big ideas in healthcare innovation 455 hospitals with 5 stars from CMS: 2021 As Opioid Deaths Surge, Biden Team Moves To Make Buprenorphine Treatment Mainstream Biden’s first 100 days: 5 healthcare actions Biotech and medical device... READ MORE