In Bocobo v. Radiology Consultants of South Jersey, et al, a federal district court granted summary judgment to the radiology group and hospital defendants on eleven counts including the denial of a medical staff hearing. The radiologist was employed by the radiology group and the exclusive contract between the hospital and the group provided that
2005
2006 MCARE Abatement Passed By PA Legistaure
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Uncategorized
Both houses of Pennsylvania have extended the MCare abatement program for 2006. The bill now goes to Governor Rendell for signature.
Medical Staff Bylaws and Policies Are Contracts But No Due Process Rights Triggered by Exclusive Contract
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
Medical Staff By-Laws, and the Hospital policies enacted by the Board pursuant to those By-Laws, constitute a contract between the Hospital…
Continue Reading Medical Staff Bylaws and Policies Are Contracts But No Due Process Rights Triggered by Exclusive Contract
OIG Reports Enforcement Actions
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Fraud - Stark
For those who doubt the possibility of OIG enforcement regarding fraud and abuse violations, the OIG Semi-Annual Report lists the following enforcement results:
$2.8 billion on audit and investigative receivables;
3,806 individual and entity; receivables;
537 criminal actions; and
262 civil actions
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Developments
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Uncategorized
Electronic Health Records (EHR) are touted by proponents within the healthcare industry as a means to both improve quality and reduce cost through a combination of reduced errors and improved communication. The drive to standardize the process for the utilization of electronic healthcare records gained its greatest impetus from the electronic transaction standards of HIPAA,…
HHS and CMS Issue Final Rules re ePrescribing
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Uncategorized
HHS/CMS announce ePrescribing regulations. The Department of Health and Human Services and CMS issued a final rule for ePrescribing standards. The final rules were published in the Federal Register under November 7, 2005 at 70 FR 67568.
Highmark Announces eHealth Collaborative to Help Physicians with EHR
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Uncategorized
Highmark announces the Highmark E Health Collaborative. The Highmark E Health Collaborative is a joint project between Highmark and the Pittsburgh Foundation to foster the adoption and utilization of electronic prescription systems. The Collaborative will provide funding to eligible physicians who wish to acquire and use electronic technology. Highmark will contribute $26.5 million , $18.5…
JCAHO Proposes New Medical Staff Credentialing Standards
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
JCAHO has posted a field review notice regarding hospital Medical Staff credentialing in privileging standards. The proposed standards would establish additional evidence based processes for the determining the competence of practitioners. See the JCAHO website link for the field review.
CMS Issues P4P Demo Project Results
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
The centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported today that quality of care has improved significantly in hospitals participating in the premier hospital quality incentive demonstration project, a groundbreaking Medicare pay for performance demonstration project. The press release was posted on the CMS website on
November 14, 2005.
2006 MCARE Surcharge
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Uncategorized
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department announced on October 31, 2005 that the 2006 MCARE assessment will be 29% of the primary prevailing premium. Earlier in the week, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell promised extending the MCARE abatement program for 2 more years.