The OIG recently issued an advisory opinion permitting an excluded individual to be employed to market medications to pharmacies that participate in Medicare and Medicaid. Advisory opinions are limited to the specific individuals and facts addressed, so the decision cannot be read as general policy. It does, however, mark a […]
Publications
Federal Court Invalidates CMS Position on DSH Payment Calculation
CMS has long taken the position that payments to hospitals under the Medicaid Disproportionate-Share Hospital program (“DSH”) should be reduced to take into account any reimbursement from the Medicare program or third-party insurers for treatment of Medicaid beneficiaries. In February, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri […]
A Kinder, Gentler U.S. Department of Justice Approach to False Claims Act Cases?
In two recent memoranda issued by the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the agency signaled an approach favorable to hospitals and other providers. The DOJ stated in one memorandum that reliance on agency guidance documents in affirmative civil enforcement cases, such as the False Claims Act (‘FCA”), needed to […]
Bipartisan Budget Act Helps Avoid Inadvertent Stark Violations (but Strengthens Penalties)
The Bipartisan Budget Act was signed into law by President Trump on February 9, 2018. While there are several health care features in the Act, this article focuses on two important changes: Stark In 2015, CMS included commentary in its Stark update that has helped avoid inadvertent violations of Stark. […]
105th Nebraska Legislature: Updated Activity on Bills of Interest
The Second Session of the 105th Nebraska Legislature convened on January 3, 2018. Bill introductions concluded on January 18, 2018. At the conclusion of bill introductions, we identified 20 bills warranting particular diligence. Summaries of these bills are available here. Below is an update of those bills that have had […]

