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
Michael Cassidy
NYT Reports 564 Amendments to Baucus Bill Already
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Employee Benefits Law Alert – “Summary Prospectus” Now May be Used
"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 …
MGMA Identifies Key Physician Healthcare Reform Issues In Baucus Bill
- 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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Senate Finance Committee Chairman Introduces Health Reform Bill
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) has introduced the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009. It is scheduled for a full Committee markup on September 22, where Democrats hope to obtain more Republican support.
The bill offers initiatives that will help all Americans meet the requirement of having health coverage, such as the expansion…
The Controversial E-Verify System
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 …
The Controversial E-Verify System
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Medicare Consignment Closet Changes Delayed Until March 1, 2010
The new consignment closet billing and compliance rules reported in the Med Law Blog on August 17, 2009 and intended to be effective on September 8, 2009 have been delayed until March 1, 2010 by Transmittal 300.
State Courts Continue to Limit Confidentiality of Peer Review Records
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…
Covenant Medical Center to Pay U.S. $4.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act and Stark Law Allegations
The U.S. Department of Justice issued a press release on August 25, 2009 announcing a $4.5 million False Claims Act Settlement against an Iowa hospital, Covenant Medical Center. The False Claims Act liability allegations were based upon charges by the Attorney General that paying excessive compensation violated the Stark Law.
Based upon IRS 990 forms, the…