The major issues were identified by the editorial board of BNA’s Health Law Reporter, which provides weekly news and commentary spanning the spectrum of legal practice areas that have an impact on hospitals and healthcare providers.
Below are a few legal and regulatory issues highlighted by the report. It can be read in full here.
Hospital/physician realignment initiatives. Policy changes to reimbursement, quality of care standards and information technology utilization are expected to fuel mergers, acquisitions and other affiliations in the healthcare industry this year. “As deals continue to be made to leverage economies of scale, state and federal antitrust and fraud enforcers are poised to ensure compliance with…legal constraints.”
Corporate governance. It is increasingly important that directors of healthcare organizations are involved in driving a corporate culture that prioritizes compliance. In a memo issued in September, the U.S. Department of Justice showed it is taking a strong stance on pursuing healthcare executives and directors involved in fraud allegations. With increasing focus on individual liability for lapses in compliance, corporate governance is a significant health law practice focal point.
Telemedicine. State licensure issues are cropping up as providers and investors pursue telehealth expansion opportunities.
Health IT. The risk that data will be accessed by unauthorized individuals continues to grow and, with it, the liability exposure — estimated in the billions — associated with investigating data breaches, fixing them and managing claims and lawsuits.
More articles on legal:
Whistle-blower lawsuit claims UnitedHealth knowingly processed fraudulent claims
Ex-UPMC supervisor gets prison time for healthcare fraud
Bankrupt Arkansas hospital hit with employee class-action lawsuit
