Physician groups throughout the country found themselves facing new obstacles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Private practices implemented new technology for virtual appointments, increased the personal protective equipment (PPE) needs and saw an increase in patients...
Texas Health Care Law Blog
Three things medical practices should know about false claims
Billing Medicare and other insurance providers is not always straightforward. Some may struggle to keep up to date with the ever-changing language that guides billing practices while others are trying to run a medical practice with reduced staff. In any of these...
Home health & the AKS: Violation can lead to serious fines
There are times when a physician can best serve their patient by switching them to home health services. Physicians can sign off on these arrangements, but a failure to do so carefully can result in allegations of an Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) violation. In a recent...
Hospital execs take note: If job in jeopardy, criminal charges could follow
Healthcare executives who have recently lost their job or who are currently under review are wise to take the matter seriously. In some cases, these actions are signs of a bigger problem: a federal investigation. The federal investigation could result in concerns of...
DOJ pursues EKRA charges against drug treatment facility
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced it will pursue a conspiracy to violate the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA) charge against a drug treatment facility owner. When faced with these charges, the owner, Dr. Akikur Mohammad,...
What happens if the Texas BON gets a complaint about my work?
The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is the body that regulates nursing licenses throughout the state. It focuses on making sure those who hold a nursing license meet the obligations outlined within the Nursing Practice Act (NPA) and is the organization in charge of...
3 lessons from “referral” case for AKS violations
The term “referral” is not clearly defined within the Anti-Kickback Statue (AKS). This ambiguity can make it difficult when building relationships with other healthcare providers. A recent case provides a reminder for the need to tread carefully when making these...
Texas updates healthcare data breach reporting requirements
Texas lawmakers have stepped up how they are handling data breach reporting by amending its breach notification law. The following will discuss the breach notification law and point out how the amendment will broaden its application in the future. The amendment is set...
Is my practice ready for TX’s changing telemedicine rules?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and others who work within the healthcare profession to change the way they practice medicine. Throughout the pandemic, physicians were looking for a way to help their patients without putting them at...
Texas Medical Board disciplined 26 doctors at June meeting
The Texas Medical Board (TMB) disciplined 26 doctors last month. These disciplinary efforts included quality of care concerns, allegations of unprofessional conduct, and violation of previous orders. The quality of care concerns included a physician who completed a...

