The Qui Tam process is designed to encourage and Whistleblowers or “relaters” to disclose illegal billing arrangements by paying a percentage of any recovery to the relaters for providing “confidential” information. The theory is that these individuals will be providing information with would not otherwise become available. A corollary to this theory is that relaters cannot
Michael Cassidy
U.S. Physician Practices Spend Four Times As Much As Payer Administrative Money As Canadian Counterparts
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
A commonwealth fund supported studies reported some key findings:
1. Physician practices in the United States spent $82,975.00 per physician per year interacting with payers compared with $22,205.00 in Canada.
· If U.S. physicians had similar administrative costs to their Canadian counterparts, the total annual savings would be $27.6 billion dollars.
· U.S.
US DC of Massachusetts Orders Production of Performance Evaluations to Medical Resident
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
In Gargiulo v. Baystate Health, Inc., Dr. Debra Gargiulo alleged that she was discriminated against on the basis of her age and disability by Baystate Health in violation of both federal and state law. As part of her claim, the plaintiff sought production of numerous documents relating to her records, evaluations and reports, as well…
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program FAQs
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
CMS has recently updated its EHR frequently asked questions about the federal incentive program for the meaningful use of electronic health records. The most recent update pertains to guidance for critical access hospitals. The FAQ also discusses how eligible professionals and hospitals apply for incentives under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive program.
More information is available
2011 Medicare Physician Guide
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
CMS has published a revised Medicare Physician’s Guide.
http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedicarePhysicianGuide_ICN005933.pdf
Pennsylvania Medical Assistance Health Information Technology Initiative
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
According to the PA Department of Welfare website, Pennsylvania’s EHR Incentive program has paid $13.4 million to eligible hospitals and $6.1 million to eligible professionals since its launch on June 6, 2011.
Link to Medicaid EHR Incentive Payment Program Resources for Pennsylvania (for applications and user guides): http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/provider/healthcaremedicalassistance/medicalassistancehealthinformationtechnologyinitiative/maprovincentiverepos/index.htm
Medicaid vs. Medicare EHR Incentive Programs
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
Generally, providers can only participate in either the Medicare or Medicaid EHR incentive program each year.
The following is an outline of which providers are eligible for the Medicare or Medicaid EHR incentive program:
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For the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, eligible participants include:
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10 Significant Physician Contracting Mistakes
By Michael Cassidy on
1. Failure to Begin with the End in Mind. The most important provisions of your employment contract will be the provisions governing your termination rights, for two reasons. First, if the relationship goes well, chances are the contract will never be read again. However, if there is a dispute, both parties will be reading the contract looking…
REGISTER NOW – 2011 Symposium – HEALTHCARE FUTURES — CONSIDERATIONS & IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
HEALTHCARE FUTURES — CONSIDERATIONS & IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
Health Care Reform: What’s up next for Employers?
Emerging health care reform mandates, regulations and guidelines are driving numerous changes to employer health benefits. Having dealt with the initial administration compliance requirements, employers are now turning their attention to the longer-term issues included in reform.Continue Reading REGISTER NOW – 2011 Symposium – HEALTHCARE FUTURES — CONSIDERATIONS & IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
Tucker Arensberg, P.C. attorney elected to WPHIMSS board of directors
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
The members of Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Health Information Management Systems Society ("WPHIMSS") have elected board members for the 2011-2012 session. Tucker Arensberg, P.C. attorney Lee Kim has been elected as a board member at-large.
More specifically, the following individuals have been elected to provide chapter leadership for the fiscal year of July …