Health Law Alert

On August 18, 2016, the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) announced a new initiative to more widely investigate breaches affecting fewer than 500 individuals (referred to as “small breaches”). Prior to this announcement, OCR investigated all breaches reported by covered entities that affect 500 or more individuals (considered to be […]

Usually when a patient sues a health care professional, the patient seeks health care services elsewhere. But that is not always the case. When the patient wishes to continue receiving services after suing a health care professional, it is not uncommon for the health care professional to wish to terminate […]

This summer, the United States Supreme Court handed down a ruling that will impact the way health care providers in Nebraska and Iowa conduct blood alcohol tests at the request of law enforcement. In Birchfield v. North Dakota, the Court ruled that a blood test conducted at the request of […]

Ransomware is currently the fastest growing malware threat. On average, over 4,000 ransomware attacks occur daily against individuals, businesses, and governments. Victims of successful attacks must determine the extent of the damage, which is often difficult and expensive. Many healthcare providers have experienced these attacks, ranging from business records and […]

1. Check out the OIG’s 2016 Mid-Year Work Plan update that lists items that have been completed , postponed or cancelled and adds new items that have been added to the Work Plan since October 2016. http://oig.hhs.gov/reports-and-publications/workplan/index.asp 2. Is the demise of provider based status coming? CMS and the OIG […]