Telehealth Services Between Health Care Providers and the Public During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Mar, 2020
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Health and Human Services has issued a telehealth Notice during this COVID-19 public health emergency. During the current public health emergency OCR will exercise its enforcement discretion and will not impose penalties for noncompliance with HIPAA Rules if healthcare providers provide telehealth services through remote […]
Are Your Employees And Contractors Properly Licensed To Provide Services?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jan, 2020
Twenty felony charges for Medicaid Fraud have been filed against a social worker who owns the EDM Treatment Center in Saginaw. The felony counts arose out of a prior employee at the treatment center who was not licensed to provide counseling services to clients in the clinic. The criminal complaint alleged that the social worker […]
Category: Medicaid, Mental Health, News & Updates
ANA-Michigan’s Position Statement on Preventing Workplace Violence
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Dec, 2019
As of June 2019, 36 states have established or increased legal penalties for the assault of nurses and other healthcare providers. In addition to these states, nine other states require healthcare organizations to provide workplace violence programs. Michigan neither specifies legal penalties nor workplace violence program requirements for healthcare organizations. According to Occupational Safety and […]
Category: News & Updates, Nursing, Professional Development
In Separate Cases Physician And Home Health Care Owner Charged With Medicaid Fraud
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Sep, 2019
In just a week’s time, the Michigan Attorney General, in totally separate cases, has charged a Farmington physician and a home health care owner of Medicaid Fraud. In the first case, Dr. Ban Mechael was charged with Medicaid Fraud and falsifying medical records based on allegations, that between 2016 and 2017 she submitted claims for […]
Category: Medicaid, News & Updates
To Err Is Human…, But Is It Criminal?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Sep, 2019
In the American Nurses Association – Michigan Chapter’s Fall 2019 newsletter, an article addressed recent cases in which healthcare professionals were criminally charged after making errors while carrying out their health care duties. Naturally these cases create concerns for nurses and other health care professionals. For a discussion of these cases, applicable Michigan law, and […]
Category: Case Studies, News & Updates, Nursing, Professional Development
Effective August 21, 2019 Federal Law Prohibits Pharmaceuticals From Being Disposed Down The Drain
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2019
Effective August 21, 2019 federal law prohibits disposing pharmaceuticals down the drain or otherwise into the water system. Pharmaceuticals include prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements. Healthcare providers that are subject to this disposal prohibition include: Independent dental, veterinary, chiropractic, optical, and medical offices Medical, veterinary, and psychiatric hospitals, ambulance services Ambulatory surgical centers […]
California Physicians Oppose Expanding Nurse Practitioner Abilities
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jul, 2019
The California Future Health and Workforce Commission recommended in a recent report that the state expand the role of nurse practitioners to combat a projected shortfall of more than 4,100 primary care clinicians over the next decade. California Assemblyman Jim Wood, a dentist, introduced a bill (read the bill) during the last legislative session to […]
Category: Licensure, News & Updates, Nursing
Psychologist Sentenced for Criminal Sexual Conduct, Delivery of Controlled Substance and Health Care Fraud
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jul, 2019
An Upper Peninsula psychologist was sentenced last week to 54 months to 15 years in prison on three felony counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct and 282 days each on seven other felony charges. The psychologist will also be required to pay $427,558 in restitution for Medicaid and health care fraud. The psychologist’s limited […]
Category: Medicaid, News & Updates, Opioid Epidemic
Mental Health Access Improvement Act Re-Introduced In Congress
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jun, 2019
The Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 286) was re-introduced by Senator Stabenow (D-MI) and Senator Barrasso (R-WY), which will allow mental health counselors to bill Medicare for treating older adults with mental health conditions. The American Mental Health Counselors Association was instrumental in the introduction of S. 286. In the House, Rep. Thompson (CA-05) […]
Category: Licensure, Medicare, Mental Health, Michigan Legal Updates, News & Updates, Reimbursement
New Michigan Medicaid Enrollment and Billing Requirements for Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse Specialists
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jun, 2019
The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services recently published new enrollment and billing requirements for nurse practitioners (NP) and clinical nurse specialists (CNS) who participate in Michigan’s Medicaid program. These new guidelines were effective June 1, 2019 and require: Enrollment Requirements for Clinical Nurse Specialists – Enroll in the Medicaid Program with a collaborating […]