Microsoft recently announced that, after April 8, 2014, it will not longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows XP. Microsoft’s statement that “businesses that are governed by regulatory obligations such as HIPAA may find that they are no longer able to satisfy compliance requirements” has spurred a certain level of panic among health
Long Term Care
PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LEVIES $5.5 MILLION MCARE SURCHARGE ON HOSPITALS AND ASCs
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Articles, Long Term Care
On April 14, 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Health levied a $5.5 million surcharge for fiscal year 2013 on hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and birth centers for funding the MCare professional liability debts and expenses. Continue Reading PA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LEVIES $5.5 MILLION MCARE SURCHARGE ON HOSPITALS AND ASCs
OIG Advisory Opinion No. 12-17
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Long Term Care
The OIG recently issued an interesting advisory opinion related to a hospital based hospice agency’s intent to establish a volunteer program to provide non-skilled services to terminally ill patients who do not qualify for hospice care. Read the full text of the OIG opinion here: https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/docs/advisoryopinions/2012/AdvOpn12-17.pdf…
Continue Reading OIG Advisory Opinion No. 12-17
LeadingAge PA Conference Time Well Spent With Long Term Care Colleagues
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Long Term Care
I recently enjoyed the opportunity to connect with non-profit aging services providers from across Pennsylvania at the LeadingAge PA Annual Conference & Exposition in Hershey, PA. As a licensed nursing home administrator for over ten years, I am all too familiar with the challenges faced by those whose mission is to provide care and services …
Pennsylvania Superior Court Affirms Judgment for Nursing Home under Relatives Liability Statute
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Long Term Care
The Superior Court of Pennsylvania recently affirmed a lower court’s judgment entered in favor of a nursing home in a case under the Relatives Liability statute. Liberty Nursing & Rehabilitation Center filed a filial support action against a former resident’s son for the resident’s unpaid bills after the resident’s discharge in 2008. The parties submitted the…
Scampone v. Grane Healthcare: Nursing Home Liability
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Long Term Care
In Scampone v. Grane Healthcare Company and Highland Park Care Center, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania reversed and remanded the trial court decision regarding nursing home liability, holding that a nursing home, just like a hospital or health maintenance organization, could be subject to corporate liability for negligence, in addition to vicarious liability for…
CMS Proposes Nursing Home Voluntary Disclosure Rules
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Compliance, Long Term Care
On July 12, 2010 CMS published the proposed rules to implement the 50% Civil Money Penalty (CMP) reductions for nursing homes that self-report compliance violations. The potential for the 50% reductions was enacted by Section 6111 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), and is available under the following conditions:
1. The nursing home…
Pennsylvania’s Health Care Facilities Act
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Long Term Care
Contributed by Nora E. Gieg, Esquire
ngieg@tuckerlaw.com or 412.594.3940
Pennsylvania’s Health Care Facilities Act, as amended, requires the Pennsylvania Department of Health to license home care agencies and home care registries. Home care agencies and registries respectively employ and refer direct care workers who provide home care services. Home care services include assistance with bathing…
OIG Supplemental Compliance Program Guidance for Nursing Facilities
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Long Term Care
From the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
Please click here to view the notice on OIG Supplemental Compliance Program Guidance for Nursing Facilities.
2010 OIG Work Plan: Top 10 Areas of Scrutiny
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Compliance, Long Term Care
The following is the Med Law Blog’s Top 10 List for Areas of Interest in the OIG 2010 Work Plan for physicians and providers, which will draw particular scrutiny next year:
1. Medicare Incentive Payment for E-Prescribing
2. Practice Expense Components of Diagnostic Imaging
3. Outpatient Physical Therapy Services by Independent Therapists
4. Place of…