Ohio Valley Health Services & Education Corporation, Ohio Valley Medical Center and East Ohio Regional Hospital have collectively entered into a corporate Integrity Agreement with the OIG in September 2011, which focuses on what are defined as “focus arrangements,” which is defined as every financial arrangement between the hospital system and physicians covered by the
Medical
United States Patent and Trademark Office Awards Patent Number 8,000,000
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Intellectual Property
US Patent No. 8,000,000 Awarded to Second Sight Medical Products for a “Visual Prosthesis Apparatus” that Enhances Visual Perception for the Sight Impaired
On September 8, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") will host a ceremonial signing Thursday for US Patent No. 8,000,000 entitled "Visual Prosthesis Apparatus" which enhances visual perception…
Professional Review Activity vs. Professional Review Action
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
The case of Wood v. Archbold Medical Center Inc., presents an interesting twist regarding HCQIA immunity. The holding basically provides that “professional review activity” is a lesser level of adverse activity and need not meet the due process standards of HCQIA in order for a hospital to retain HCQIA.
In Dr. Wood’s situation, there were…
Special Requirements for DME and Home Health Services
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) contains several provisions aimed to reduce fraud and abuse in home health and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) programs, which CMS and OIG consider to be high risk programs. Effective July 1, 2010, physicians who order covered home health or DME services must be enrolled in Medicare (§ 6405). …
The Paper Chase – New Family And Medical Leave Notice Requirements
By Paul Welk on
Posted in Legal News
The Department of Labor recently issued new amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Those amendments have added to the notice requirements under the act, creating both a paperwork chore for businesses and a potential legal trap if the required notices are not provided. This Alert summarizes the new notice requirements.
General Notice
The General Notice must be…