As they do every year, the Internal Revenue Service released the dollar limits that apply to qualified retirement plans. There are three separate charts below that list the limits for 2011. The three charts are separated to identify the limits for: (1) defined contribution plans, (2) defined benefit plans, and (3) both defined contribution and defined benefit
October 2010
Public Policy of Preserving Physician Patient Relationships Rejected
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
In Genchi v. Lower Florida Keys Hospital District, a Florida State Appeals Court took the opposite view from the Arkansas Supreme Court in Baptist Health, posted just last week, regarding the importance of preserving physician/patient relationships.
In Baptist Health, the Arkansas Supreme Court recognized the potential interference with physician patient relationships posed by…
Baptist Health Decision Invalidates Economic Credentialing
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
After years of litigation and appeals, the Arkansas Supreme Court has finally decided in Baptist Health v. Murphy that the economic credentialing policy tortiously interfered with the physician/patient relationships of a group of its staff cardiologists and enjoined Baptist Health from using its economic credentialing policy to deny staff appointments and clinical privileges to 12…
W-2 Healthcare Coverage Reporting Requirement Suspended for 2011
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
Contributed by Jo-Anne Mineweaser
jmineweaser@tuckerlaw.com, 412.594.3920
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires employers to report the aggregate cost of healthcare coverage provided to their employees on Form W-2. The aggregate cost is to be determined in the same way that the “applicable premium” is determined under the COBRA rules. This requirement…
The New American Health Care System: Reform, Revolution, or Missed Opportunity?
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
This symposium, sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, is taking place at Penn Law School in Philadelphia from Oct. 28-30. There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested in advance. There is up to 12.5 hours of CLE credit available for this seminar.
For more information or to register, please click here.
U.S. Justice Department Challenges Most Favored Nations’ Clause of Michigan Blue Cross/Blue Shield Hospital Contracts
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
The Department of Justice has filed a civil anti-trust lawsuit against BlueCross/Blue Shield of Michigan alleging that the Most Favored Nations’ Clause (MFN) in their hospital contracts prevent other insurers from entering the market place and discourage discounts, resulting in higher prices for Michigan health care consumers. The state of Michigan has joined the lawsuit. MFNs generally…
CMS Proposes New Fraud and Abuse Rules
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Fraud - Stark
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued new proposed fraud and abuse rules in accordance with requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — first known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Section 6501(a) of ACA added Social Security section 1866(j), and required CMS to establish screening procedures for…
Professional Review Activity vs. Professional Review Action
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
The case of Wood v. Archbold Medical Center Inc., presents an interesting twist regarding HCQIA immunity. The holding basically provides that “professional review activity” is a lesser level of adverse activity and need not meet the due process standards of HCQIA in order for a hospital to retain HCQIA.
In Dr. Wood’s situation, there were…
HHS Memorandum on Amendments to the HIPAA opt-out provision (formerly section 2721(b)(2) of the Public Health Service Act) made by the Affordable Care Act
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
HHS has issued a memorandum on amendments to the HIPAA opt-out provision (formerly section 2721(b)(2) of the Public Health Service Act) made by the Affordable Care Act. More information is available at: http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/opt_out_memo.pdf.
ONC Certified HIT Product List of Complete EHRs and EHR Modules
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
The ONC Certified HIT Product List (CHPL) provides a comprehensive listing of Complete EHRs and EHR Modules that have been tested and certified under the Temporary Certification Program.
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