HIPAA – Do Your Policies and Procedures Comply With Security Requirements?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Sep, 2018
In a recent newsletter issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, the Office highlights critical considerations when developing policies and procedures to ensure the security of electronic media and devices. HIPAA requires covered entities and business associates to implement policies and procedures to limit physical access to its electronic […]
Category: HIPAA, News & Updates, Professional Development
Oops, They Did It Again: Will Your Medicare Part B Reimbursement Decrease?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Sep, 2018
Every year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposes Medicare Part B reimbursement rules for the upcoming year. The 2019 proposed rule changes could affect the amount of reimbursement physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists receive. If these proposed rules are finalized, clinicians could lose as much […]
Could You Be Facing A Professional Licensure Investigation? Part III
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
The American Nurses Association – Michigan Chapter recently published the third installment of a four-part article series, focusing on important steps health care professionals should consider when involved in licensure investigations. Do you know what steps to take after being interviewed by an investigator from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional […]
Audiologists Play A Role In Early Dementia Screening
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
The Hearing Review recently published the article, “Dementia Screening – A Role for Audiologists”, in which the authors review the rationale and importance of dementia screenings, and suggests a specific screening protocol which can be easily and quickly adapted into a clinical office visit, as part of the intake, counseling, or expectations discussion. Audiologists and […]
Category: Professional Development
Are You Defrauding Medicare By Either Upcoding Or Downcoding Submitted Claims?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
Both upcoding and downcoding are significant because these actions have been interpreted as a basis for abusing and defrauding the federal government and its programs. According to CMS, “abuse describes practices that, either directly or indirectly, result in unnecessary costs to the Medicare Program.” Abusive coding practices include: Upcoding – a code with a […]
Can You Compete Against A Noncompete Clause?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
Do you have an existing noncompete clause in your contract or are looking to enter into such a contract? If so, you should read the full article from Physicians Practice. While addressing physicians, the information in this article is applicable to any healthcare provider being asked to sign a noncompete. In most states, some form […]
Category: Professional Development
Are You Properly Maintaining Patient Records As Required by Michigan Law?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
In a rare announcement, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) announced that it has been receiving complaints from consumers who are unable to obtain their medical records from health care providers. LARA has recently published a reminder to licensed or registered health care providers of their obligation to keep and maintain records […]
Could A Sweetheart Contract Or Lease Turn Sour?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
Last week the United States Department of Justice announced a settlement agreement with William Beaumont Hospital, located in the Detroit area, based on allegations Beaumont made false claims to the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs. The allegations are based on improper relationships with eight referring physicians. Under the settlement agreement, Beaumont is required to pay […]
Post Tagged with Donna Craig, False Claims Act, Fraud & Abuse, Medicare, Physician, Stark Law, The Health Law Center Have You Taken Adequate Steps to Thwart Phishing Emails? If Not, You Could Be Facing A HIPAA Breach.
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
For the second time in 2018 UnityPoint Health announced that it suffered a HIPAA data breach that could affect the medical and financial information to as many as 1.4 million patients. That information suspected of being disclosed could include patient names, birth dates medical record numbers, medical information, insurance information, and Social Security and driver’s […]
Category: HIPAA
Are You Productive In The Office? If Not, Learn How To Address Common Efficiency Killers
Posted by Donna Craig in Jul, 2018
At Marysville Primary Care, the physicians have a good idea of what awaits them each day before seeing their first patients. The four doctors at the Ohio-based practice take a look at their schedule at least one day ahead of time, communicating any concerns with two nurse practitioners and other staff members — all in the name of increased efficiency.
Category: Professional Development
Post Tagged with Advance Practice Registered Nurse, Donna Craig, Health Professionals, Physician, The Health Law Center 
