In late March 2016, the Department of Justice (DOJ or the Department) announced several Elder Justice Task Forces throughout the United States to combat elder abuse in nursing facilities and other facilities providing services to the elderly. The Northern District of Iowa was selected as one of the DOJ’s ten […]
Publications
DOL Releases Final Rule on Overtime Exemptions
DOL Releases Final Rule on Overtime Exemptions This morning the Department of Labor formally released its long-awaited Final Rule on Overtime Exemptions. So let’s cut to the chase: the new salary level is $47,476 per year ($913/week), annual increases will occur every three (3) years, and the effective date is […]
Nebraska Adopts Surgical First Assistant Practice Act
Nebraska has joined a number of states in adopting an additional licensure category for surgical first assistants. The Act, which becomes effective January 1, 2017, states “surgical first assistants aid in ensuring a safe surgical environment by maximizing patient safety by using appropriate techniques for processes including, but not limited […]
CMS 2-Midnight Policy Unchanged; But Related IPPS Reductions Reversed By FY2017 Increase
The Policy Itself: The 2-Midnight Policy was adopted by CMS effective for admissions on or after October 1, 2013. The rule provided that an inpatient admission is appropriate for Medicare Part A payment if the physician (or other qualified practitioner) admits the patient as an inpatient based on the reasonable […]
CFPB Proposes Prohibiting Mandatory Arbitration Clauses
Earlier today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) held a field hearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico on mandatory arbitration clauses found in the terms and conditions of several consumer financial products, including credits cards, bank accounts and prepaid cards. The CFPB released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM” or “Proposed […]