Contibuted by Paul J. Welk
pwelk@tuckerlaw.com; 412.594.5536
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a Notice of Final Determination, marking the first civil money penalty issued by HHS for HIPAA Privacy Rule violations, finding that Cignet Health of Prince George’s County, Md., (Cignet) violated the…
http://op.bna.com/hl.nsf/id/psts-8dnryg/$File/west.pdf…
Continue Reading WPAHS Claim Against UPMC and Highmark Stayed by USDC for Western District of Pennsylvania
Every once in a while we try to provide some information that is interesting, helpful and a little different than our usual fair. I have attached a link to an article provided by nursingschools.net describing amazing emerging advances in medical technology. For the readers who would like more of this type of information, I have added nursing.net…
American Medical News (1/17, Elliott) reported that medical office embezzlement "is common at medical practices, and experts say the risk is especially high at the beginning of the year." This is because "patients are paying an ever-larger share of their…
Proposed regulations for the Affordable Care Act were announced today. Insurers in all states are now required to publicly justify any unreasonable rate increases starting in 2011. For 2011, proposed rate increases of 10 percent or higher will be publicly disclosed and thoroughly reviewed.
Links:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/12/20101221a.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2010/12/21/white-house-white-board-health-reform-rate-review
http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-32143_PI.pdf
(CNN) — A Virginia federal judge on Monday found a key part of President Barack Obama’s sweeping health care reform law unconstitutional, setting the stage for a protracted legal struggle likely to wind up in the Supreme Court.
U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson struck down the "individual mandate" requiring most Americans to purchase health…
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Amendments to Charges for Medical Records
Under 42 Pa.C.S. 6152 and 6155 (relating to subpoena of records; and rights of patients), the Secretary of Health (Secretary) is directed to adjust annually the amounts which may be charged by a health care facility or health care provider upon receipt of a request…
The American Medical Association maintains a website for current information on healthcare reform – from a provider perspective.
Contributed by Paul J. Welk
pwelk@tuckerlaw.com, 412.594.5536
On December 7, the House of Representatives passed S. 3987, the Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010. The Red Flags Rule requires financial institutions and creditors to develop and implement a written identity theft program. This legislation would exempt physical therapists and other health care providers from the…
On November 30, 2010 the U.S. Senate passed the Red Flag Program Act of 2010 (Senate Bill 3987 available at http://thomas.loc.gov/) which seeks to exempt certain health care providers from the Red Flags Rule. The bill will next be considered by the House. Please check back for future updates on this legislation.
