Publications

On August 6, 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a proposal to collect summary data on how federal contractors and subcontractors pay their employees. The proposed rule comes in response to President Obama’s April 8, 2014 directive instructing the Secretary of Labor to propose a rule within 120 days […]

Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently relaxed Medicare hospital staffing requirements to allow qualified dietitians and nutritionists to order patient diets, state law still prevents these practitioners from practicing independently in Nebraska and Iowa hospitals. Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs) previously permitted only the physician or […]

Note: The following questions are the second part in a series about patient portals. For last month’s article on patient portals click here. Q: How should information about patient portals and the functionalities/capabilities be communicated to patients? A: Each patient portal is unique in terms of how patients register and […]

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that when a collection suit is filed against a spouse-guarantor, the spouse-guarantor can assert violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”) and Regulation B as an affirmative defense. I. ECOA Prohibits Discrimination Based On Marital Status A. ECOA bans creditor from […]

On Friday, August 29, 2014, CMS published a Final Rule providing additional flexibility to providers who have had difficulties implementing 2014 Edition certified electronic health record technology (“CEHRT”). This rule adopts the proposed rule published May 23, 2014. Under the Final Rule, Eligible Professionals, Eligible Hospitals and CAHs that could […]