On March 1, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Release No. 34-80130 (the Release) proposing several amendments to its Rule 15c2-12 (the Rule) that would add two new events to the list of events that must be included in the continuing disclosure undertakings of municipal issuers or obligors (Borrowers) of municipal bonds. These…… Continue reading this entry
For what may be the first time, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) recently announced a new project to review Medicare payments for telehealth services. Accordingly, providers who bill the Medicare program for telehealth services may expect to have those claims reviewed to confirm the patient…… Continue reading this entry
With the news of the newest international ransomware campaign that is currently affecting some organizations within the Health Care sector, it is important to not only educate staff on necessary precautions, but also be aware of steps to take in the instance you are infected by a ransomware attack. The following information was distributed today…… Continue reading this entry
The Maine legislature passed with broad bipartisan approval L.D. 911, An Act to Prohibit Certain Gifts to Health Care Practitioners. The legislation prohibits gifts to practitioners who are licensed to prescribe and administer drugs by manufacturers, wholesalers, or agents of manufacturers or wholesalers of prescription drugs. What’s Excluded? Free samples of prescription drugs for patients…… Continue reading this entry
With Congress returning to Washington, D.C. from its Memorial Day work period, Senators are focusing heavily on the timeline and details of legislation that would significantly alter the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Over the last week, many senior Senators have expressed skepticism regarding whether they can pass a bill, but Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell…… Continue reading this entry
Fresh off his noticeably smooth confirmation, the new Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, appeared before Congress last Thursday and unveiled his strategic initiatives and priorities for the Trump Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). These run the gamut from improving regulatory science and policies to streamlining clinical trials to spurring innovation on behalf…… Continue reading this entry
The importance of privacy in the health care industry starts at the most basic level between a patient, a doctor, and the doctor’s laptop computer. The levels of importance and complexity increase exponentially when you look at entire networks of payers and providers. The amount of data produced and stored in these organizations is staggering…… Continue reading this entry
In a surprising reversal, last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would significantly modify the Affordable Care Act. The legislation, known as the American Health Care Act (the “AHCA”, H.R. 1628), passed on Thursday with a 217-213 party line vote. After cancelling an expected vote on AHCA in March, the House Republicans…… Continue reading this entry
Background Health Plans and health care providers are getting into each other’s business. This payor/provider convergence has taken different forms. Health systems have ventured into the health insurance business by acquiring or starting their own health plans and by establishing joint ventures with payors, to jointly own and operate a health plan. Health plans have … Continue reading this entry
Foley recently co-hosted the Florida Hospital Association’s (FHA) 2017 Health Law Summit, which brought together more than 40 in-house attorneys and compliance officers from FHA member hospitals to discuss the current state and future direction of the health care industry. Amid so much economic and political uncertainty, we are diligent about keeping our fingers on … Continue reading this entry