2009

The Joint Commission has released a revised draft of Hospital Accreditation Standard MS.1.20, which was first proposed in June 2007 and intended to establish a balance of power between hospital administration and hospital medical staffs. Although originally scheduled to become effective January 1, 2009, the controversy and uproar accompanying the proposals in 2007 were so…

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers enrolled with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) they are required to obtain accreditation by September 30, 2009. Without accreditation, DMEPOS suppliers’ billing privileges will be revoked on or after October 1, 2009. Further, without accreditation, DMEPOS suppliers will not…

"Summary Prospectus" Now May Be Used

Under ERISA Section 404(c) in Lieu of Statutory Prospectus 

On September 8, 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2009-03. This guidance states that a fiduciary may continue to satisfy ERISA Section 404(c)’s requirements by providing a mutual fund’s “summary prospectus” rather than …

  • Replacing the scheduled 21.5 percent reduction in 2010 Medicare physician payments with a 0.5 percent increase;
  • Requiring that all eligible health professionals participate in Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting Initiative by 2011;
  • Creating a 10 percent bonus payment for primary-care and general-surgery providers who practice in health professional shortage areas. Funding for this five-year bonus,

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As of September 8, 2009, all federal contractors and subcontractors are now required to utilize the controversial E-Verify system to confirm an employees right to work legally in the United States.  In addition, those companies receiving stimulus funds will be required to implement E-Verify.  The controversy arises from the fact that the administration continues to …

As of September 8, 2009, all federal contractors and subcontractors are now required to utilize the controversial E-Verify system to confirm an employees right to work legally in the United States.  In addition, those companies receiving stimulus funds will also be required to implement E-Verify.  The controversy arises from the fact that the administration continues

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The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in Board of Registration in Medicine v. Hallmark Health Corp. that the Massachusetts licensing board would subpoena certain hospitals peer review records. 

In Director of Health Affairs Policy Planning, University of Connecticut v. Freedom of Information Commission, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the state’s freedom of information…

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