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Stark Law Enforcement. In what could be a sign of a significant new enforcement tactic, in December 2002, the Department of Justice and Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) reached a $6 million settlement with a South Dakota hospital and oncology group…
Medical groups are looking at imaging services as a source of much-needed revenue. But they often lack the patient volume to justify purchasing expensive imaging equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), nuclear cameras and positron emission tomography (PET). Consequently, many practices seek partnerships with other groups,…
Noteworthy speeches from 1998-2003: 2003: Current Physician Compliance and Payment Issues, Riverside County Foundation for Medical Care, Island of Hawaii, November 7, 2003. 5th Annual Conference Physician-Legal Issues, American Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, June 14, 2003 2002: The Criminalization of Health Care, St. Vicent’s Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, December…
As you may be aware, HIPAA compliance is now unavoidable, and key compliance deadlines are very near. Two federal court lawsuits that sought to invalidate the Department of Health and Human Services’ (“HHS”) privacy regulations under HIPAA have been dismissed and modifications to the privacy regulations proposed by the Bush…
These are exciting times for nuclear cardiology, a rapidly expanding field which offers significant clinical and financial opportunities for cardiologists. Cardiologists are participating in nuclear medicine in a variety of ways including fixed site nuclear cameras and mobile PET systems, and through ventures with hospitals, radiologists, leasing companies, and other…
On September 25, 2000, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) of the Department of Health and Human Services issued its final guidelines (“Final Guidelines”) to aid individual physicians and small group practices to design voluntary compliance programs. The Final Guidelines set forth seven components of an effective compliance program. The…
“Final” Stark Rules Effective In January. Phase I of the final Stark rules, which were released January 2001, become effective on January 4, 2002. Therefore, physicians and other affected providers have a very short time remaining to comply. Phase II of the final rules, which contain certain modifications to the…
Public Comment Period Extended. Because of the significant number of comments received, the original 90-day public comment period on the Phase I “final” Stark rules was extended 60 days until June 4, 2001. Shared Facilities Ok’d. The Phase I final rules make it possible under certain circumstances for physicians who…
Public Comment Period Extended. Because of the significant number of comments received, the original 90-day public comment period on the Phase I “final” Stark rules was extended 60 days until June 4, 2001. Shared Facilities Ok’d. The Phase I final rules make it possible under certain circumstances for physicians who…
One of the surest routes to a costly fight among the physician owners of a medical group is to not have in place an up-to-date, well-thought-out buy-sell agreement. Learn how to refine your buy-sell agreement: Does Your Buy-Sell Agreement Need a Tune-Up? Medical Group Management Update, October 1, 2000
On September 25, 2000, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) of the Department of Health and Human Services issued its final guidelines (“Final Guidelines”) to aid individual physicians and small group practices to design voluntary compliance programs. The Final Guidelines set forth seven components of an effective compliance program. The…
The long-awaited May decision of the California Supreme Court in the case of Potvin v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company represents a great victory for physicians and their patients. Read more about the case here:How I See It: Potvin v. Metropolitan Life Insurance California Physician, Summer 2000
It has been perceived that many of the latest ideas in health care begin in California and move eastward. And, frequently, people in other parts of the country do seek the advice of California physicians, administrators, consultants and attorneys on how to deal with the next great healthcare trend. More…
Without realizing it, orthopaedists may be making illegal ancillary service referrals to their own group. How can that happen? The answer lies in a group’s legal and business structure and the physician compensation formula. These may not comply with the Stark II law and related regulations proposed last year. Learn…
On April 5, a jury in Kansas City, Mo., convicted two physicians, Robert LaHue, DO, and Ronald LaHue, DO, and two former Baptist Medical Center administrators of violating the Medicare- Medicaid antikickback law. The physicians were convicted of receiving illegal kickbacks for referring their nursing home patients to the hospital….