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Showing 73 posts in Medicare/Medicaid.

DHHS Revises and Clarifies Guidelines for Patients’ Informed Consent When Providing Sensitive Medical Care

In recent years, Michigan has been home to two of the largest sexual abuse scandals involving doctors in history: the sexual abuse committed by Larry Nassar while employed by Michigan State University and the sexual abuse committed by Robert Anderson while employed by the University of Michigan. In both circumstances, the former doctors carried out their sexual abuse under the guise of medical procedures and without the informed consent of their targets. Michigan is not alone in being home to these types of sexual abuse scandals as similar acts have been alleged to have been committed by many other health care providers, such as Richard Strauss (Ohio State University), George Tyndall (University of Southern California), Derrick Todd (Bringham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital (Boston, MA)), Major Michael Stockin (United States Army), amongst others. Read More ›

Categories: Health Care Reform, Hospitals, Lawsuit, Medicare/Medicaid, Privacy

CMS Guidance Ends Waivers for COVID-19

Doctor Holding FilesOn April 7, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an update to the COVID-19 emergency declaration blanket waivers for specific providers. The memorandum, which was issued by the Director of the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group, details the numerous changes that will take place within 30 or 60 days of the memorandum’s publication. Read More ›

Categories: Alerts and Updates, Health Care Reform, Hospitals, Medicare, Medicare/Medicaid

Update to CMS Guidance on Shared Health Care Facilities

Doctor Video Call MeetingThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently released updated guidance regarding hospital co-locations arrangements. After nearly two years of deliberations and revisions, the final Guidance for Hospital Co-location with Other Hospitals or Health Care Facilities (the “Final Guidance”) was released on November 12, 2021 and took effect immediately upon publication. The Final Guidance is meant to address how CMS and other state agency surveyors will evaluate how hospitals share their space, services, and staff. Read More ›

Categories: Health Care Reform, Hospice, Hospitals, Medicaid Planning, Medicare, Medicare/Medicaid

CMS Guidance for Home Health Agencies to Minimize Spread of COVID-19

Coronavirus Health CareOn April 23, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its guidance on infection control and prevention of COVID-19 for Home Health Agencies (HHAs). CMS provided initial guidance on March 10, 2020, which addressed the concerns of COVID-19 and provided answers to practical questions impacting HHAs. In this update, CMS has expanded the COVID-19 guidance and regulations to apply to Religious Nonmedical Healthcare Institutions (RNHCIs). Read More ›

Categories: Health Care Reform, Medicare/Medicaid

Federal Assistance to Providers and Required Coverage of COVID-19 Testing by Insurers

COVID-19 TestingThis blog has since been updated with new information since its original publication. Due to rapidly changing laws and regulations surrounding COVID-19 matters, please consult your attorney and/or advisor for the latest information before taking any action.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) require insurers to cover diagnostic testing for COVID-19 without any cost-sharing or prior authorization requirements. The Trump Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid recognize that financial barriers that deter individuals from receiving testing for COVID-19 must be eliminated, since testing is critical to slowing the spread of the virus. Read More ›

Categories: Employee Benefits, Health Care Reform, Medicaid Planning, Medicare/Medicaid

CMS Implements Infection Control Surveys for Nursing Homes

Helping Senior in Nursing HomeNursing homes are potential hotspots where COVID-19 can quickly spread to vulnerable individuals. Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington became the epicenter of the outbreak in Washington after the virus spread rapidly among residents. Life Care Center is not the only nursing home affected, as the CDC reported on March 23, 2020 that 147 nursing homes in 27 states have at least one COVID-19 positive patient. Recognizing the need to keep nursing home residents and healthcare workers safe, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has implemented an enhanced, focused inspection process for nursing homes to combat the spread of COVID-19. Read More ›

Categories: Health Care Reform, Medicare/Medicaid

Provider Requirements Waived by CMS due to COVID-19

Medicare FormIn response to COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued blanket waivers of certain requirements so that hospitals and health care systems have the flexibility needed to manage potential surges. The waiver of these requirements is retroactively effective as of March 1, 2020 and lasts until the end of the emergency declaration for COVID-19. Read More ›

Categories: Health Care Reform, Hospitals, Medicare/Medicaid

CMS Releases Guidance on Shared Space Arrangements

Doctors and Patients TalkingLast year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued long-anticipated draft guidance concerning shared space and co-location arrangements between hospitals and other providers. The guidance is meant to clarify how CMS and state agency surveyors will evaluate a hospital’s space sharing or contracted staff arrangements when assessing the hospital’s compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs). Read More ›

Categories: Compliance, Health Care Reform, Hospitals, Medicare/Medicaid

CMS Publishes Final Rule to Modernize PACE Regulations

Gavel and StethoscopeOn May 28, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") finalized a rule (the "Final Rule") to update and modernize requirements for the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly ("PACE"). Read More ›

Categories: Health Care Reform, Medicare/Medicaid

CMS Approves the Repeal and Replacement of the Michigan Health Insurance Claims Assessment (“HICA”) Tax

The Michigan Health Insurance Claims Assessment (“HICA”) tax has been repealed, effective as of October 1, 2018. On June 11, 2018, Governor Snyder signed a series of bills repealing the HICA tax. Read More ›

Categories: Health Care Reform, Medicare/Medicaid, Tax

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Best Lawyers® 2021

Congratulations to the attorneys of the Health Care practice group at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC for their inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2021 edition. Firm-wide, 44 lawyers were listed. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation and as lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Health Care practice group members listed in Best Lawyers are as follows:

To see the full list of Foster Swift attorneys listed in Best Lawyers 2021, click here.