Government enforcement efforts have proven successful with yet another Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) case. In this most recent case, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) settled with a New York spinal group over allegations the group failed...
Month: October 2020
Study finds errors in HRRP leading to faulty penalties
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) oversees the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Lawmakers developed this program to help better ensure the provision of quality, value-based care. To help achieve this goal, the HRRP reviews...
Nursing home administrators: Be on the watch for this new scheme
A new COVID-19 related testing scheme is the latest in a series of attempts to defraud nursing home residents. Nursing home administrators are wise to be aware of this latest scheme to help better ensure the safety of their residents.Details of this scheme Nursing...
What does my medical practice need to know about HIPAA violations?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) applies to sensitive patient health information. Medical practitioners are wise to understand how this federal law impacts their practice. Three important facts about this law include: #1: Not everyone is...
Age discrimination and medical practice: A case asks tough questions
A 73-year-old surgeon recently filed a case against his former employer. He claims hospital officials discriminated against him based on his age when they had him undergo a neuropsychological and physical exam as well as have a proctor present when he conducted...
Healthcare company accused of FCA violation with incentive stocks
Private equity firms continue to grow their presence within the healthcare industry. We have a number of posts discussing this trend, touching on how to navigate these transactions as well as potential benefits and risks. A recent case explores the risk, looking into...
How can my practice handle patient complaints?
Physician practices need to navigate the needs of a successful business while ensuring quality patient care. The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" can go a long way towards helping build a successful practice. A failure to take patient...
NY podiatrist agrees to pay $1.25M to settle FCA claim
Government officials recently accused a local New York City hospital system along with a podiatrist of fraudulent billing practices. The allegations are in connection with a whistleblower lawsuit. The whistleblower brought the claim forward in 2012, stating the...
TX medical center agrees to pay $15M to settle with FHA
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a settlement agreement with a Texas medical center and surgeons. The settlement, for approximately $15 million, is the most recent in a series of claims the DOJ has pursued in recent months against medical...
Anatomy of an OPMC investigation
What happens when a patient, co-worker or other medical professional files a complaint about a physician's work? If the complaint involves allegations of misconduct, the New York Health Department's Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) and state Board for...