March 28th 2024
The peculiarities of healthcare makes private equity investments a fraught proposition.
March 15th 2024
The new rule aligns more closely with HIPAA.
March 14th 2024
Health care employers have the obligation to protect their employees and their patients, while also complying with applicable state and federal laws.
March 13th 2024
Healthcare employers have to strike a balance between their ADA responsibilities and the privacy of their employees.
February 29th 2024
Also the US Department of Health and Human Services is emphasizing cybersecurity.
Be cautious with year-end tax planning
Don’t fall victim to a tax reduction scam targeting physicians
Want to be fined? Follow CMS’ opioid guidelines.
In the eyes of the law, prescribing opioids for patients with chronic pain means upholding ethical standards of professional conduct, not following a checklist.
Is your smart assistant putting you at legal risk?
Privacy has always been as important as security. Biometrics add a new area for physicians and healthcare providers to watch.
How hospital-acquired infections affect the bottom line
Substandard care can lead to reduced payments for hospitals with excess readmissions.
Compliance programs are key to reducing legal risk
The Department of Justice is taking action, so make sure you have an adequate compliance program in place.
The cost of not conducting a risk analysis
A recent HIPAA fine and HHS’s healthcare app guidance underscore the importance of conducting risk analyses to protect personal health information.
HHS changes penalty limits for HIPAA and HITECH violations
The government is lowering its civil monetary penalties under the HITECH Act.
How to avoid pass-through billing traps
There are multiple reasons pass-through billing is illegal and fraudulent-and easy to catch.
There’s a new Anti-Kickback Statute that most practices don’t know about
Is your practice compliant with the Eliminating Kickbacks and Recovery Act of 2018 (EKRA)? If you don't know what EKRA is, you are not alone-and that is part of the problem.
A risk-aware approach to cybersecurity
If you are concerned that your security program is non-compliant, you should be-because you're worried about the wrong issue.
A guide to HIPAA compliance
Unfortunately, it only really works for children.
The differences among records and what’s legally required to be in them
Parsing out the various terms used in relation to a patient’s health record can be daunting. Here’s a primer to make the process less intimidating
Physician asset protection: 5 practical lessons
An examination of asset protection issues from current news headlines highlights the defensive measures doctors and healthcare executives must consider.
Best practices for secure payment processing
Accepting payment via credit card is one way to improve patient collections. But medical practices must take precautions to ensure that their patients’ personal information remains protected.
Don’t give employees unrestricted access to medical records
Lax policies regarding medical records and ordering prescriptions and tests puts physicians-and their practices-at risk of DEA and HIPAA violations.
California and Colorado update laws on protected health information
A trend to watch: Last year, two states made significant changes to laws related to personally identifiable information and protected health information.
When patients hit ‘record’ at the doctor’s office
More patients are recording their visits at the doctor’s office, sometimes without permission.
Cybersecurity and medical devices: What physicians need to know
Although physicians may not be involved with the cybersecurity of medical devices, they are still obligated to comply with HIPAA and the HITECH Act.
If it could happen to Anthem, could it happen to you?
Insurance giant Anthem was recently tagged with a $16 million-dollar HIPAA penalty. What can you do to keep your solo or small practice from getting hit?
What OIRA’s HIPAA agenda means for providers
Following the Anthem settlement, the Fall 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions doubles down on HIPAA privacy and enforcement efforts.
Seasonal tax evasion by doctors
Doctors are pitched a variety of tax planning schemes at the end of each year by both salespeople and well-meaning friends and colleagues. Here is a final look at some common tax evasion landmines physicians must be aware of.
The dangers of trusting your employees too much
Yes, you need to delegate some tasks to employees. But as practice owners and administrators, it’s your responsibility to oversee and double check-not blindly sign your name for a whole lot of trouble.
3 things to consider when working with reps
Representatives can play an important role in keeping physicians updated on proper use of manufacturers’ products. But they can also integrate themselves into practices in ways that violate the law.
The legal risks of an MSO agreement
Management service organization (MSO) models can be risky for physicians who may not consider the legality and associated financial and legal risks before agreeing to the arrangement.
Creating a culture of safety and OSHA compliance
Primary care practices can create a stronger culture and compliance by prioritizing safety for both patients and employees.
Protecting your good name and reputation
Physicians have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and ensure the people they associate with do, too. Otherwise, they risk their reputation being tarnished by association-or worse.
Getting Around a Non-Compete Contract
Here are four steps you should take if you want to hire a new physician that may be hampered by a non-compete provision.
Physicians Associations Offer Resources for Fighting Burnout
Struggling with your work-life balance? Professional organizations offer solutions for burnout, from lobbying to hands-on help.
Surgeon General Makes Opioid-Related Recommendation
The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory recommending more Americans carry the opioid reversing drug naloxone.
HIPAA and the Importance of Data Availability
A recent case in New York shows physicians how expensive a major data breach can be from a financial, reputational and legal standpoint.