2011

In OIG Advisory Opinion No. 11-12, a nationally ranked tertiary hospital proposes to establish a telemedicine program for neuro-emergency clinical protocols and consultations for stroke victims and to provide this program without cost to existing affiliated community hospitals. Since a key component of the program would be the provision of hardware, software and communications applications…

The Obama administration has halted plans to implement the long-term care program in the 2010 health care law after determining that financing plans for it were not sufficient.

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, a program championed by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, has come under withering criticism from…

On October 12, 2011, U.S. District Magistrate Cathy Bissoon of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania issued an Opinion denying Highmark’s request for a preliminary injunction against UPMC, which injunction sought to restrain UPMC from publically discussing and stating that patients’ health care coverage could end as early as June…

Fourteen federal district courts, including the Western District of Pennsylvania, have been selected to participate in a ten year pilot project.  The goal of this patent pilot project is to enhance expertise in patent cases among U.S. district judges.

Patent cases filed in participating district courts are initially randomly assigned to all district judges, regardless…

Ohio Valley Health Services & Education Corporation, Ohio Valley Medical Center and East Ohio Regional Hospital have collectively entered into a corporate Integrity Agreement with the OIG in September 2011, which focuses on what are defined as “focus arrangements,” which is defined as every financial arrangement between the hospital system and physicians covered by the…

In Klutschkowski v. PeaceHealth, the Oregon Court of Appeals held that Oregon’s statutory cap on non-economic damages does not violate the state’s constitution remedy and jury trial clauses in an action brought to recover injuries sustained during child birth. Oregon law provides, with certain exceptions, “in any civil action seeking damages arising out of bodily…the…

Contributed by Lee Kim, Esq.

+1.412.594.3915

lkim@tuckerlaw.com

The deadline for requesting a hardship exemption for the 2012 Medicare Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program adjustment is November 1, 2011.  According to CMS, beginning in 2011, eligible professionals who are not successful electronic prescribers may be subject to a payment adjustment on their future…

Med Law Blog Editor

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