On November 15, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released its final rule for hospitals to publicly post their “standard charges” on the internet. The final rule—partially titled “Price Transparency Requirements for Hospitals to Make Standard Charges Public” and published in the November 27, 2019 edition of […]
Health Law Alert
OCR’s Right of Access Initiative Continues: Second Settlement in 2019
On December 12, 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) announced a second enforcement action as part of the HIPAA Right of Access Initiative, an effort by OCR to ensure individuals get access to their medical records promptly. Earlier this year, Bayfront Health […]
DOJ Reaches Settlements with “Independent” Charities
On October 25, 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced settlements with two foundations totaling $6 million.[1] The DOJ alleged that the charities worked with various pharmaceutical companies to establish programs that funneled money to patients taking specific drugs manufactured by those pharmaceutical companies. According to the DOJ, these programs […]
Federal Contractor Update
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is picking up speed with a variety of updates this fall. The following reflects the most noteworthy of the OFCCP’s activity. TRICARE Jurisdiction? Good News on the Horizon! Healthcare employers who receive TRICARE dollars have long suffered through the back and forth […]
On to a New Year and a New Editor
This year is soon over and we look to the future and what 2020 will bring. For me, it brings retirement and new plans. While I look forward to this new adventure, I will surely miss everyone who has been a part of the past 26 years at Baird Holm. A […]