Basic Contract Issues for New Physician Contracts
By Michael Cassidy on
INTRODUCTION
When physicians have finally completed the medical education journey, many are confronted with a “physician employment contract,” usually from a hospital or medical practice, which could define the essential terms of their professional relationship for many years to come. If the parties live happily ever after, neither may ever read the contract again. However, if…
Obama Care Ruled Unconstitutional by Virginia Court
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
(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…
HHS OIG:A Roadmap for New Physicians Avoiding Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and Abuse
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Fraud - Stark
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, has published "A Roadmap for New Physicians Avoiding Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and Abuse." http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/PhysicianEducation/
Pennsylvania 2011 Medical Records Costs
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
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…
AMA Maintains Healthcare Reform Website
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
The American Medical Association maintains a website for current information on healthcare reform – from a provider perspective.
Congress Passes Medicare Physician Fee Schedule One Year Extension
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
Congress approves Medicare physician payment fix
The House of Representatives passed legislation this morning that averts a 24.9 percent Medicare payment cut to physicians that was scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1. The measure passed the Senate Wednesday evening by unanimous consent. To pay for the legislation, the bill changes policy regarding overpayments…
Senate Passes One Year Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Fix
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
MGMA reported today:
Senate passes a 1-year Medicare physician payment patch; House to act next
The Senate passed today by unanimous consent legislation preventing a 24.9 percent cut in Medicare physician payments. The Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 (H.R. 4944) extends the current Medicare payment rates through Dec. 31, 2011. This one-year…
House Passes Legislation on Red Flags Rule
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
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…
Wrongful Databank Report Does Not Justify Defamation Action
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
Frengell v. InterCare Community Health Network demonstrates the counterintuitive nature of certain peer review actions.
Dr. Frengell’s employment was terminated following the inappropriate prescription of narcotics. InterCare reported Dr. Frengell to the National Practitioners’ Data Bank, although the report was not required and the court concluded, and InterCare admitted, that it had not provided any…