Showing 31 posts from 2013.
Recap From the 2013 Health Law Institute
On March 7 and 8, 2013, the members of Foster Swift’s Health Care Law Group attended the 19th Annual Health Law Institute. This two-day institute, which is co-sponsored by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education and the Health Care Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, focused on recent legal developments in health care law. Specific topics addressed at this year’s Health Law Institute included: Read More ›
Categories: Health Care Reform, Health Insurance Exchange, HIPAA, Hospitals, Insurance, Physicians, Regulatory
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Payments to Doctors Will Soon be Public Knowledge
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, companies that provide drugs, medical devices, biologicals or other medical supplies covered by certain government programs (Medicare, Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program) are required to annually report certain payments they make to physicians. According to a recently issued final rule, payment categories will include: Read More ›
Categories: Compliance, Hospitals, Physicians, Regulatory
Avoiding Michigan’s Right to Work Legislation
Michigan’s Right to Work legislation (“Legislation”) was signed into law by Governor Synder on December 12, 2012. The Legislation will become effective on the 91st day following the final adjournment of the 2012 regular session of the Michigan legislature (December 27, 2012). Unions are attempting to either renew or extend current collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) prior to the Legislation becoming effective, in an effort to avoid impact that the Legislation would have on union dues and participation. Read More ›
Categories: Employee Benefits, Employment, Regulatory
Proposed Rules Related to Coverage of Contraceptive Services Just Released
On January 30, 2013, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services (collectively, the “Departments”) jointly released proposed rules related to the coverage of preventive services under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”). When initially enacted, PPACA required certain health plans to provide benefits for particular preventive health services, including coverage of contraceptives, without the imposition of cost sharing measures (i.e., individuals covered by the plan would not be required to pay anything for the services). This coverage requirement became effective on the first day of the plan year that followed August 1, 2012. For calendar year plans, the effective date was January 1, 2013. Read More ›
Categories: Employee Benefits, Health Care Reform, Insurance, Regulatory
Health Care Fraud and Abuse Enforcement - It's Not Just Hypothetical Anymore
On February 11, 2013, the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services jointly released a report stating that the government recovered $4.2 billion in fiscal year 2012 and for every dollar spent on health care-related fraud and abuse investigations in the last three years, the government recovered $7.90. The report indicates that this is the highest 3-year average return on investment in the 16 year history of the Health Care Fraud and Abuse program. The Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (“HEAT”), which has operations in Detroit, was instrumental in this recovery effort. Read More ›
Categories: Fraud & Abuse, Health Care Reform
Snyder Supports Medicaid Expansion for Michigan
Governor Rick Snyder announced that his 2014 budget includes support for the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to Michigan residents without insurance. Speaking at a press conference in Lansing on Wednesday, February 6th, Governor Snyder said expansion would save costs, increase care, and help businesses. Read more about the expansion ›
Categories: Health Care Reform, Medicare/Medicaid
Delayed Deadline: Employer Notice Regarding Health Insurance Exchanges
As previously discussed, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide notice to their employees related to Health Insurance Exchanges (the “Notice”). The specifics concerning the Notice may be found here. The Notice was required to be given to each current employee not later than March 1, 2013. Read more about the delay ›
Categories: Health Care Reform, Health Insurance Exchange, Hospitals, Insurance, Physicians, Regulatory
Health Care Benefits Provided to Same Sex Couples in Michigan - Are the Laws Changing?
In 2008, the Michigan Supreme Court concluded that domestic partnership policies intended to provide health care benefits to same sex couples violated Michigan law. Specifically, National Pride at Work v Governor held that such policies violated the Michigan Marriage Amendment (“Marriage Amendment”) by recognizing same sex domestic partnerships as analogous to a marriage or similar union. (The Marriage Amendment recognizes the union of one man and one woman as the only agreement recognized as a marriage and also prohibits public employers from providing health insurance benefits to their employees' same-sex domestic partners.) Since the decision in National Pride... ›
Categories: Employee Benefits, Employment, Hospitals, Physicians
Long-Awaited Privacy Rules Just Published
The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services recently released its final rule (the "Rule") modifying the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") and implementing the statutory requirements of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”). (The Rule was originally expected to be released in February of 2010 when HITECH became effective.) In short, the Rule: modifies HIPAA’s privacy, security and enforcement rules; changes HIPAA’s enforcement rules to increase penalties consistent with HITECH; provides a final rule on breach notification; and modifies HIPAA as required by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.
The new rule is approximately 563 pages and can be accessed here. If you have any questions about how the Rule may impact your health care practice, please contact Nicole Stratton at (517) 371-8140 or by using the form below.
Categories: Compliance, HIPAA, HITECH Act, Hospitals, Physicians, Privacy, Regulatory
New Board of Dentistry rules for handling and disposal of amalgam
The Michigan Board of Dentistry has adopted several new rules governing the handling and disposal of amalgam waste for dentists and dental practices.
There are some exceptions for oral and maxillofacial surgeons; oral and maxillofacial radiologists; oral pathologists; orthodontists; periodontists; and dentists providing services in a dental school or hospital, or through a local health department. Read More ›
Categories: Compliance, Licensing, Physicians, Regulatory
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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:
- Jennifer B. Van Regenmorter, Holland
To see the full list of Foster Swift attorneys listed in Best Lawyers 2021, click here.