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OCR Releases Results From First Round of HIPAA Audits

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR) has release information on the initial round of mandated audits of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) covered entities. The OCR announced official details concerning the audits at an OCR and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) conference held June 6, 2012.

Initial HIPAA Audits Started November 2011.

As required by the HITECH Act, the OCR began auditing selected covered entities’ compliance with the privacy and security provisions of HIPAA and its implementing regulations in November 2011. The OCR selected 150 covered entities to be […]

WellCare Health Plans Reaches Settlement in False Claims Act Case

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

WellCare Health Plans Inc.(WellCare) has reached a $137.5 million settlement with the federal government and nine states. The settlement resolves four lawsuits alleging violations of the False Claims Act.

WellCare is based in Tampa, Florida. The company provides managed health care services for approximately 2.6 million Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries across the United States.

Lawsuits Allege WellCare Submitted False Claims to Medicare, Medicaid Programs.

The lawsuits allege that WellCare submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid programs. WellCare allegedly falsely inflated the amount it claimed to be spending on medical care. Allegedly, this was done in order […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:32-04:00June 1, 2018|Medicaid, Medicare, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Preparing for HIPAA Audits

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has recently released the initial results for the first round of HIPAA audits, as well as the HIPAA audit protocol. Covered entities need to review both the audit results and audit protocol to assist in preparing for the possibility of a HIPAA audit.

Tips to Prepare for a HIPAA Audit.

Although the first round of audits has concluded, HIPAA audits will continue to be conducted through December 2012. Covered entities that avoided the first round of HIPAA audits can learn from the results released by OCR. The OCR […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:32-04:00June 1, 2018|HIPAA, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Remedies for Violation of HIPAA Privacy Rights and Medical Confidentiality – Part 1

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

I receive many questions and e-mails about possible violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) Privacy Regulations and Security Regulations, and breaches of confidentiality of medical records and medical information. I will attempt to explain and clarify this issue a little in this short blog.

More detailed information on HIPAA Privacy Regulations and Security Regulations, can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/index.html

There is no private cause of action allowed to an individual to sue for a violation of the federal HIPAA or any of […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:37-04:00June 1, 2018|HIPAA, In the Know, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Remedies for Violation of HIPAA Privacy Rights and Medical Confidentiality – Part 2

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

More detailed information on HIPAA Privacy Regulations and Security Regulations, can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/index.html

There is no private cause of action allowed to an individual to sue for a violation of the federal HIPAA or any of its regulations. This means you do not have a right to sue based on a violation of HIPAA […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:37-04:00June 1, 2018|HIPAA, In the Know, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Settlement Reached in WellCare False Claims Case

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

WellCare Health Plans Inc.(WellCare) has reached a settlement in its False Claims Act case. WellCare will pay $137.5 million to the federal government and nine states to settle four lawsuits. The lawsuits alleged violations of the False Claims Act.

WellCare is based in Tampa, Florida. The company provides managed health care services for approximately 2.6 million Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries across the United States.

WellCare Allegedly Submitted False Claims to Medicare and Medicaid Programs.

The lawsuits accused WellCare of submitting false claims to Medicare and Medicaid programs. WellCare allegedly falsely inflated the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:55-04:00May 15, 2018|Nursing Law Blog|

The 27 Biggest Mistakes Nurses Make in Department of Health Investigations

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Following are the 27 biggest mistakes that we have seen nurses make over and over again that cause them the worst trouble in DOH investigations.

1. Failing to keep a current, valid address on file with the DOH (as required by law), which may seriously delay the receipt of the Uniform Complaint (notice of investigation), letters, and other important correspondence related to the investigation.

2. Contacting the DOH investigator and providing him/her an oral statement or oral
interview. (Note: There is no legal requirement to do this.)

3. Making a written statement in response to the “invitation” extended […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:55-04:00May 15, 2018|Department of Health|