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Voluntary Hospital Compliance Programs May No Longer Be Voluntary

On February 11, 1998, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), of the Department of Health and Human Services, released the long awaited "Compliance Program Guidance for Hospitals" to help hospit

Antitrust Analysis of Physician Mergers

In the past few years, the antitrust aspects of loosely affiliated physician "networks" have received significant attention.

Did You Know? - Spring 1998

Ambulance Restocking.

Going Public - What's in it for You?

Physicians, in increasing numbers, are selling their practices to for-profit companies in return for stock in these companies.

Home Health Update

Throughout 1997 and into 1998, the home health industry has been bombarded with new legislative and regulatory initiatives.

Maryland Regulatory News - Spring 1998

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Avoid the Quick Fix of Descriptive Names

Many new health care businesses naturally choose a name for themselves that "describes" what they do or where they are located.

Buried Treasures in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997

The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (the Act), enacted by Congress last August, contains numerous provocative provisions that significantly affect health care providers, including the following:

Did You Know? - Winter 1997

Mandated benefits.

Many Health Care Providers May Take Refuge in Bankruptcy

Health care providers presently face heightened economic challenges caused by reductions in reimbursement and utilization.

Maryland Regulatory News - Winter 1997

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More Fraud and Abuse Legislation

Consistent with the Clinton Administration's promise to fight fraud and abuse in the health care industry, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (the Act), which was signed into law on August 5, 1997, in

Did You Know? Fall 1997

Assignment of Medicare Payments. Did you know that the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has announced that Medicare payments will no longer be made payable to emergency room sta

Does "Current" Drug Use Mean Yesterday, Last Week or Last Month?

After a nurse was confronted by her hospital employer about the theft of narcotics, she admitted ordering excess medicine and diverting it for her own use.

Fraud and Abuse Advice Now Available from the Feds - at a Price

Implementing changes to the Social Security Act, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health & Human Services (OIG) has issued regulations concerning the provision of adviso

HIV Status Remains Confidential to Sisters, Brothers, Nieces and Nephews

Recently, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled that health care providers are not required to notify family members of a patient's HIV status. In Lemon V.

Maryland Health Insurance Regulation Struck Down

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in American Medical Security v.

Maryland Regulatory News - Fall 1997

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Medical Center Punished for Kickbacks to Doctors

Various components of an Indiana health care system have been subject to serious sanctions in regard to the federal anti-kickback law.

Public to Private Hospital Conversions

Public to private hospital conversions have grabbed headlines in recent months.

The Continued Demise of Gag Clauses

In recent years, HMOs have come under increasing fire for the practices used by some, but not all, HMOs.

Those Trademark Licensing Blues

You would be singing a sad song, indeed, if your right to use a prominent name in the health care industry was taken away from you.

1997 Maryland Legislative Session

The following is a sampling of health care/health insurance measures enacted by the Maryland General Assembly during its 1997 Session:

Antitrust Guidelines

In 1996, the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (the Agencies) updated their joint Statements of Antitrust Enforcement Policy in health Care (the Statements).

AWP Statutes and ERISA Preemption

Last fall, the Supreme Court declined to review the 1996 Fifth Circuit decision in State of Louisiana v. CIGNA.