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Articles Posted in Health Law

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Device Manufacturer Settles False Claims Qui Tam Action

The device manufacturer, ELA Medical, Inc. agreed to pay the United States $9,178,000 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by giving kickbacks to cardiologists in exchange for the cardiologists ordering and causing hospitals to order ELA’s cardiac devices.  The settlement resolves a qui tam action from…

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Pacemaker and Defilbrillator Implantations Make Prime RAC Targets

Cardiac Pacemaker Implantations and Cardiac Defibrillator Implantations were two of the most targeted services from an overpayment standpoint during the RAC demonstration period.  This makes them potential prime targets for the permanent RACs in the future.  As such, sufficient documentation of the need for services provided at the inpatient level of…

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Joint Commission Announces Accreditation Standards for Patient-Centered Medical Homes

In September the Joint Commission announced that it will begin to accredit patient-centered medical home models for physicians by July 2011.  A medical home model is a method to deliver care that is based on the ability to demonstrate evidence-based protocols, self-management education and care coordination with specialists and other…

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CMS Releases Letter to State Medicaid Directors Regarding Medicaid RACs

On October 4, 2010 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a letter that was sent to state Medicaid directors as part of a series of letters that will provide guidance for the implementation of provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), including the expansion…

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OIG Advisory Opinion 10-20 and 10-21

The Office of the Inspector General recently released Advisory Opinions 10-20 and 10-21.  Advisory Opinion 10-20 deals with a radiology group seeking to pre-authorize insurers free of charge for referring physician groups.  These requests for pre-authorization would be handled before the requestor would be providing the services.  Additionally the radiology group…

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U.S. District Judge Refuses to Grant Injunction Against Health Care Reforms Implemented through the Affordable Care Act

On October 8, U.S. District Judge George Steeh refused to grant an injunction that would prevent the implementation of the federal health reforms enacted through the Affordable Care Act.  Judge Steeh also dismissed several substantive portions of the suit, determining that Congress did not exceed its constitutional authority by requiring…

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The OIG Publishes Two Favorable Advisory Opinions

Last week the Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued two Advisory Opinions addressing proposed programs that could potentially implicate the anti-kickback statute and the imposition of civil monetary penalties (CMPs). The first OIG Advisory Opinion, 10-18, analyzed a proposed program by a health system which involved post-surgical free hotel accommodations…

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CMS Begins Preparing for RAC Expansion to Medicaid

On September 10, 2010, CMS released draft form CMS-10343, which will be used by state Medicaid plans to show that they have contracted with a RAC auditor.  The forms are used in connection with preparation for Medicaid RAC expansion and include criteria related to payments to the Medicaid RAC and…

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