legal representation of health care professionals

Texas Hospital’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Upheld by Federal Court

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

As some states lift COVID-19 restrictions, the business community is still grappling with the dynamic between the COVID-19 vaccine and workplace operations. To address this, some U.S. employers have elected to adopt mandatory vaccination policies. These policies, in essence, require that, subject to a few exceptions, all employees must receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of continued employment.

Not surprisingly, we see various legal challenges to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies across the country. On June 12, 2021, a federal court in Texas became the first to rule on the permissibility of such policies enforced by private employers. In a landmark ruling, the court stated that mandatory workplace vaccination policies are lawful under Texas and federal law and may be enforced as a condition of continued employment.

The Court’s Ruling on Mandatory Vaccination Policies.

The lawsuit, Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital, was initially filed on behalf of 117 employees after their employer, Houston Methodist Hospital, instituted a policy requiring employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of continued employment. Employees who were not vaccinated by the deadline were to be placed on a two-week unpaid suspension to allow them to comply with the policy. Under the policy, those who ultimately did not comply would be terminated.

In the law suit challenging the employer’s policy, the Plaintiffs asserted: (1) the employees whose employment was terminated as a result of this policy were wrongfully terminated in violation of Texas law, and (2) the vaccine mandate violated public policy of the state of Texas.

Texas Wrongful Termination Claim.

Under Texas law, the court found that firing an employee who is unwilling to comply with an employer’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy does not constitute wrongful termination. Texas law only protects employees who are fired for refusing to commit an illegal act at the request of their employer. The court reasoned that receiving the vaccine is not an illegal act given the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings upholding involuntary quarantines and mandatory vaccines.

Violation of Public Policy.

The court dismissed the plaintiffs’ public policy arguments because, according to the court, Texas law does not recognize a public policy exception to the at-will employment doctrine. Additionally, the court noted that a mandatory vaccine requirement is consistent with public policy. The Supreme Court has previously held that state-imposed quarantine and vaccination requirements do not violate due process of law.

The court held that the plaintiffs were not being coerced to get the vaccine but were being given a basic choice by its employer: get the vaccine so the hospital could safely continue its business of saving lives or seek employment elsewhere.

Lastly, the court also cited recent Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance in its decision. The guidance states that employers can require employees to be vaccinated, subject to the obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with legitimate medical or religious reasons for not being vaccinated. Click here to view.

To view the court’s order in full, click here.

Important Takeaway From This Court Decision.

While there are sure to be future legal challenges to mandatory workplace vaccination policies, this decision provides strong support for their use and permissibility. However, even with this ruling, employers with policies need to be mindful of their obligations and potentially provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Of course, we will see numerous legal challenges of all kinds to these decisions.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Health Care Professionals and Providers.

At the Health Law Firm, we provide legal services for all health care providers and professionals. This includes physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, home health agencies, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, pain management clinics, nursing homes, and any other healthcare provider. It also includes medical students, resident physicians, and fellows, as well as medical school professors and clinical staff. We represent health facilities, individuals, groups, and institutions in contracts, sales, mergers, and acquisitions. The lawyers of The Health Law Firm are experienced in complex litigation and both formal and informal administrative hearings. We also represent physicians accused of wrongdoing, patient complaints, and in Department of Health investigations. We do NOT represent plaintiffs in COVID-19 injury suits, however.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call our office at (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Downie, Alex. “Federal Court Upholds Employer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate.” The National Law Review. (June 15, 2021). Web.

Brown, Amanda, Goldstein, Mark. “In first-of-its-kind decision, federal court rules that mandatory workplace COVID-19 vaccine policies are lawful.” Employment Law Watch. (June 16, 2021). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law; he is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999. Copyright © 2021 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

University of Colorado Sued For Denying COVID-19 Vaccine Religious Exemptions

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

On September 29, 2021, a pediatrician and medical student sued the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU) for denying COVID vaccine religious exemptions. The U.S. District Court lawsuit argued that school administrators judge the validity of personal religious beliefs in violation of the First Amendment.

Religious Exception For COVID Vaccine.

Both plaintiffs are challenging the denial of their requests for religious exemptions from the school’s COVID vaccination mandate. The lawsuit alleges that the university arbitrarily grants religious exemptions to its vaccine requirement for all staff and students. It also claims that CU is approving requests that are based on organized religious beliefs that oppose vaccinations while subjecting requests based on personal religious beliefs to “intrusive religious inquisition to test the veracity of students’ and employees’ asserted religious beliefs.”

Details of the Denials.

Neither plaintiff is named in the lawsuit ostensibly to protect them from retaliation. Instead, the pediatrician is referred to as “Dr. Jane Doe,” and the first-year medical student as “John Doe.”

According to the complaint, Dr. Jane Doe requested a religious exemption based on her Catholic beliefs and opposition to “abortion-derived cell lines” used in the three available U.S. vaccines. However, she did not oppose other vaccines, such as the flu shot.

Because of this, CU denied her request, stating that campus policy “only recognizes religious exemptions based on a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to all immunizations,” according to the complaint. Jane Doe argues that her pending termination will harm her reputation and stain her record as a licensed medical professional.

According to the complaint, the second plaintiff, John Doe, a first-year medical student, requested a religious exemption citing his Buddhist beliefs and avoidance of “products developed through the killing or harming of animals (including human beings).”

CU officials also denied the exception request, stating that John Doe’s objections to the vaccine “are all of a personal nature and not part of a comprehensive system of religious beliefs.”

The lawsuit says John Doe’s pending termination from CU would bar him from transferring to a different medical school under guidelines issued by the Association of American Medical Colleges and that he would have to reapply to attend a different U.S. medical program.

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the university said their mandatory vaccine policy “offers the best way to protect” the more than two million patients that the university faculty serve annually.

Both plaintiffs seek approval of their requests for religious exemptions and money for court costs and personal damages. This lawsuit is just one example of the fight over a growing number of COVID vaccine mandates nationwide. As a result, businesses need to be mindful and provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities or religious beliefs that prevent them from receiving the COVID vaccine.

To read about another recent case regarding a hospital’s COVID vaccine mandate, click here to read my prior blog.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Health Care Professionals and Providers.

At the Health Law Firm, we provide legal services for all health care providers and professionals. This includes physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, home health agencies, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, pain management clinics, nursing homes, and any other healthcare provider. It also includes medical students, resident physicians, and fellows, as well as medical school professors and clinical staff. We represent health facilities, medical groups, institutions, and individual health professionals in contracts, sales, mergers, and acquisitions. The lawyers of The Health Law Firm are experienced in complex litigation and both formal and informal administrative hearings. We also represent physicians accused of wrongdoing, patient complaints, and in Department of Health and DORA investigations. We represent medical students and resident physicians in disputes with their medical education programs. We do NOT represent plaintiffs seeking to avoid vaccinations or in COVID-19 injury suits, however.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call our office at (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Nieberg, Patty. “University of Colorado faces COVID religious exemption suit.” AP News. (September 29, 2021). Web.

“Pediatrician, medical student sue University of Colorado over denial of COVID vaccine religious exemption.” The Colorado Sun. (September 30, 2021). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law; he is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999. Copyright © 2021 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Supreme Court Rules Against HHS in Hospital Medicare Reimbursement Case

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

On June 15, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court said the federal government improperly cut more than $1 billion a year in Medicare reimbursements to hospitals. This came in a ruling that limits regulators’ power to control what the program pays for certain drugs. In this case, the Supreme Court justices sided unanimously with a group of hospitals suing over drug reimbursement rates for facilities that serve low-income communities. In writing for the court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) improperly calculated reimbursement rates using a methodology Congress authorized for use only in limited circumstances.

Were the Reimbursement Cuts Unlawful?

The Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s 2020 decision that HHS had the authority to reduce the yearly Medicare reimbursement rates for a group of hospitals serving low income communities. Click here to view the July 31, 2020 decision.

The high court found the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit erred in 2020 when it allowed the HHS to reduce Medicare payments, by roughly $1.6 billion, for outpatient drugs that had helped subsidize the operations of the hospitals. The Supreme Court’s decision did not extend so far as to undermine HHS authority, but only stated how the agency acted unlawfully in accordance with its varying rates for hospitals under the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

“In short, the statute allows HHS to set reimbursement rates based on average price and affords the agency discretion to ‘adjust’ the price up or down. But unless HHS conducts a survey of hospitals’ acquisition costs, HHS may not vary the reimbursement rates by hospital group,” Justice Kavanaugh wrote in the ruling.

Regulating Reimbursement Rates Under the 340B Program.

Under Medicare, health care providers get reimbursed by the government for expenses, including medications used in hospital outpatient departments. Previously, hospitals had been getting reimbursed at a rate based on the average price of the drugs. However, in 2018, the HHS, under then-President Donald Trump, cut payments for outpatient drugs by 28.5% to hospitals receiving money under the 340B program.

The department found that reimbursements were too high because these hospitals obtain the drugs from manufacturers at a deep discount, an issue that also resulted in excessive patient co-payments. Additionally, the resulting cut dealt “a crushing blow to providers that were already operating on razor-thin margins and to the vulnerable populations they serve,” the hospitals told the justices in a court filing.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the court that “absent a survey of hospitals’ acquisition costs,” the HHS “may not vary the reimbursement rates for 340B hospitals. The HHS’s 2018 and 2019 reimbursement rates for 340B hospitals were therefore contrary to the statute and unlawful.”

Click here to read the Supreme Court’s Opinion in the case, American Hospital Association v. Becerra, 20-1114.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late; Consult with a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Medicare and Medicaid Issues Now.

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent healthcare providers in Medicare audits, Medcaid audits and RAC audits throughout Florida and across the U.S. They also represent physicians, medical groups, nursing homes, home health agencies, pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare providers and institutions in Medicare and Medicaid investigations, audits, recovery actions and termination from the Medicare or Medicaid Program.

For more information please visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com or call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620.

Sources:

Stohr, Greg. “Supreme Court Sides With Hospitals on Medicare Reimbursement.” Bloomberg Law. (June 15, 2022). Web.

Chung, Andrew. “U.S. Supreme Court faults Medicare cuts to hospitals for outpatient drugs.” Reuters. (June 15, 2022). Web.

Gresko, Jessica. “High court rules against government on drug reimbursement.” Associated Press. (June 15, 2022). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law is an attorney with The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

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“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2022 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Medicare Revocation and the Collateral Damage It Can Cause Health Care Providers

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

Many healthcare professionals are unaware of the adverse long-term collateral effects of Medicare revocation or exclusion on their careers and future employment. However, if you are a physician, dentist, nurse, mental health counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, massage therapist, or other licensed health professional whose license is revoked or suspended, there may still be hope.
Lasting Consequences of Medicare Revocation.

A revocation or exclusion from Medicare is often a severe consequence of license discipline on a professional license and can devastate a provider’s career. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can revoke a healthcare provider’s agreement to participate in Medicare. When this occurs, their Medicare billing privileges are terminated. Their legal authority to write prescriptions, referrals or orders for tests paid by Medicare also vanishes.

Additionally, the exclusion can last for many years. This can be a career-ending move for many healthcare providers especially physicians, as Medicare revocation is reported to the National Practitioner Databank (NPDB). In addition, it can potentially affect their opportunities to work in hospitals with other Medicare providers, or on health insurance panels.

For this reason, healthcare providers need to retain a health law attorney with experience in licensing issues who can help them navigate the complex legal system Medicare presents. A skilled attorney can review the facts of the case, develop a strategy for defending the provider’s license, recommend actions to avoid or mitigate the damages, and represent them in administrative hearings or proceedings in court. In some cases, an effective legal strategy may minimize the impact of discipline or even prevent Medicare revocation or exclusion. However, the best way to protect against license discipline and its consequences is to ensure that you are in compliance with Medicare standards, regulations and procedures.

To learn more, read one of my prior blogs here.

Contact Experienced Health Law Attorneys in Healthcare Licensing Issues.

If you have had a license suspended or revoked, or you are facing imminent action against your license, it is imperative that you contact an experienced healthcare attorney to assist in defending you. Remember, your license is your livelihood. It is not recommended that you should not attempt to pursue these matters without the assistance of an experienced health care attorney. The Health Law Firm routinely represents physicians, dentists, nurses, medical groups, clinics, and other healthcare providers in Medicare issues and in defense of actions in personal and facility licensing actions.

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Hollender, Allison and Wortley, Mackenzie. “Collateral Consequences of Medicare Revocations.” AHLA. (March 9, 2021). Web.

Simas, Steven. “Collateral Consequence of Healthcare License Discipline – Medicare Exclusion.” SIMAS & Associates. (October 3, 2017). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Attorney Positions with The Health Law Firm. The Health Law Firm is always looking for qualified attorneys interested in the practice of health law. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. If you are a member of The Florida Bar and are interested, forward a cover letter and your resume to: [email protected] or fax to: (407) 331-3030.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:24-04:00July 26, 2023|Categories: Pharmacy Law Blog|Tags: appeal of emergency suspension order (ESO), appeal of final order revoking suspending license, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) formal hearing defense attorney, Florida health law defense attorney, formal Medicare administrative hearing lawyer, health care license defense attorney, legal defense of emergency suspension or restriction order (ESO), legal representation for Medicare Medicaid administrative hearing, Legal representation for Medicare Medicaid audit, legal representation for Medicare Medicaid revocation termination hearings, legal representation for physicians and health care professionals, legal representation of health care professionals, medical license investigation defense attorney, medical nursing counselors license revocation attorney, medical nursing counselors licensure defense lawyer, Medicare Medicaid hearing attorney, Medicare Medicaid overpayment demand defense lawyer, protecting your medical nursing counselors professional license, representation for Florida Department of Health (DOH) investigations and hearings, representation for health care license defense, representation for health care professionals, representation for medical nursing counselors license revocation, representation for medical nursing counselors license suspension, Representation for medical nursing counselors licensure defense, representation for revocation of medical license, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, The Health Law Firm reviews|Comments Off

From the archives: COVID Uninsured Provider Relief Fund Expected To Run Out of Money Soon If Congress Doesn’t Act

Previously published on April 19, 2022
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created the “Provider Relief Fund” (PRF) to help support healthcare providers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal program has served as a lifeline to frontline healthcare workers who’ve experienced revenue losses and increased demand for their services during the pandemic.

To date, it has allocated more than $178 billion in payments to over 410,000 providers across the United States. Click here to learn more.

COVID-19 Uninsured Relief Fund.

Let’s start with some good news: Under the COVID-19 relief funding, HHS created the “uninsured relief fund.” This program provides claims reimbursement to health care providers for testing, treating, diagnosis, and administering vaccines to uninsured individuals for COVID-19. It has paid out more than $17 billion throughout the pandemic. It has paid out more than $17 billion throughout the pandemic.

Of the $17 billion, HHS has distributed nearly $10 billion for testing, more than $6 billion reimbursed for treatment, and the remainder covered vaccinations. Read more on the statistics here.

Running Out of Money.

Now for the bad news: According to an HHS spokesperson, there’s only $7.6 billion left, and the money will run out in the coming months. Congress isn’t currently considering making more funding available, meaning providers and patients are likely to have soon to bear the costs themselves.

Therefore, many hospitals and healthcare organizations urge Congress to replenish the PRF. “One of the most helpful and patient-oriented uses of the PRF was to help those people who for whatever reasons are uninsured and suffer from COVID-19,” said Federation of American Hospitals CEO Chip Kahn. “It meant that no one should have any reluctance to go to the hospital if they have COVID but no insurance.”

Additionally, on February 9, 2022, the American Hospital Association released a statement urging readers to contact lawmakers to get Congress to provide another $25 billion for the PRF in the government funding package. Read the AHA’s action alert here.

As we approach nearly two years since HHS declared COVID-19 a national public health emergency, PRF has been a lifeline to hospitals, health systems, and medical professionals. It has been helping to keep doors open during the pandemic to continue providing essential care to patients and communities. However, if the program runs out of money and Congress doesn’t appropriate more, hospitals could be left footing the bill, which will hurt both providers and patients in the end.

Read one of my previous blogs on a similar case regarding a Florida Dentist’s COVID-19 Business Interruption Insurance Claim to learn even more.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Health Care Professionals and Providers.

At the Health Law Firm, we provide legal services for all health care providers and professionals. This includes physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, home health agencies, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, pain management clinics, nursing homes, and any other healthcare provider. It also includes medical students, resident physicians, and fellows, as well as medical school professors and clinical staff. We represent health facilities, individuals, groups, and institutions in contracts, sales, mergers, and acquisitions. The lawyers of The Health Law Firm are experienced in complex litigation and both formal and informal administrative hearings. We also represent physicians accused of wrongdoing, patient complaints, and in Department of Health investigations.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call our office at (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.ThehealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Hellmann, Jessie. “HHS running out of money to pay providers for treating uninsured COVID-19 patients.” Modern Healthcare. (February 8, 2022). Web.

HRSA. “Covid Uninsured Claim.” Health Resources & Services Administration. (February 2022). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law; he is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave. Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2022 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:25-04:00July 14, 2023|Categories: Pharmacy Law Blog|Tags: attorney for physician suits against insurers, Board of Medicine defense attorney, business insurance representation, business interruption insurance claims defense, complex civil litigation attorney, complex health care litigation attorney, complex healthcare litigation lawyer, complex medical business litigation against health insurers, complex medical litigation lawyer, COVID-19 business insurance claim representation, defense lawyer for physicians, doctor defense legal representation, Health law defense lawyer, healthcare employment law representation, legal representation for healthcare professionals, legal representation for physicians, legal representation for physicians and health care professionals, legal representation of health care professionals, nurse defense lawyer, physician complaint defense attorneys, representation for administrative hearing, representation for complex medical litigation, representation for healthcare business litigation matters, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, the health law firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|3 Comments

Medicare Revocation and the Collateral Damage It Can Cause Health Care Providers

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

Many healthcare professionals are unaware of the adverse long-term collateral effects of Medicare revocation or exclusion on their careers and future employment. However, if you are a physician, dentist, nurse, mental health counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, massage therapist, or other licensed health professional whose license is revoked or suspended, there may still be hope.
Lasting Consequences of Medicare Revocation.

A revocation or exclusion from Medicare is often a severe consequence of license discipline on a professional license and can devastate a provider’s career. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can revoke a healthcare provider’s agreement to participate in Medicare. When this occurs, their Medicare billing privileges are terminated. Their legal authority to write prescriptions, referrals or orders for tests paid by Medicare also vanishes.

Additionally, the exclusion can last for many years. This can be a career-ending move for many healthcare providers especially physicians, as Medicare revocation is reported to the National Practitioner Databank (NPDB). In addition, it can potentially affect their opportunities to work in hospitals with other Medicare providers, or on health insurance panels.

For this reason, healthcare providers need to retain a health law attorney with experience in licensing issues who can help them navigate the complex legal system Medicare presents. A skilled attorney can review the facts of the case, develop a strategy for defending the provider’s license, recommend actions to avoid or mitigate the damages, and represent them in administrative hearings or proceedings in court. In some cases, an effective legal strategy may minimize the impact of discipline or even prevent Medicare revocation or exclusion. However, the best way to protect against license discipline and its consequences is to ensure that you are in compliance with Medicare standards, regulations and procedures.

To learn more, read one of my prior blogs here.

Contact Experienced Health Law Attorneys in Healthcare Licensing Issues.

If you have had a license suspended or revoked, or you are facing imminent action against your license, it is imperative that you contact an experienced healthcare attorney to assist in defending you. Remember, your license is your livelihood. It is not recommended that you should not attempt to pursue these matters without the assistance of an experienced health care attorney. The Health Law Firm routinely represents physicians, dentists, nurses, medical groups, clinics, and other healthcare providers in Medicare issues and in defense of actions in personal and facility licensing actions.

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Hollender, Allison and Wortley, Mackenzie. “Collateral Consequences of Medicare Revocations.” AHLA. (March 9, 2021). Web.

Simas, Steven. “Collateral Consequence of Healthcare License Discipline – Medicare Exclusion.” SIMAS & Associates. (October 3, 2017). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Attorney Positions with The Health Law Firm. The Health Law Firm is always looking for qualified attorneys interested in the practice of health law. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. If you are a member of The Florida Bar and are interested, forward a cover letter and your resume to: [email protected] or fax to: (407) 331-3030.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:26-04:00June 27, 2023|Categories: Mental Health Law Blog|Tags: appeal of emergency suspension order (ESO), appeal of final order revoking suspending license, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) formal hearing defense attorney, Florida health law defense attorney, formal Medicare administrative hearing lawyer, health care license defense attorney, legal defense of emergency suspension or restriction order (ESO), legal representation for Medicare Medicaid administrative hearing, Legal representation for Medicare Medicaid audit, legal representation for Medicare Medicaid revocation termination hearings, legal representation for physicians and health care professionals, legal representation of health care professionals, medical license investigation defense attorney, medical nursing counselors license revocation attorney, medical nursing counselors licensure defense lawyer, Medicare Medicaid hearing attorney, Medicare Medicaid overpayment demand defense lawyer, protecting your medical nursing counselors professional license, representation for Florida Department of Health (DOH) investigations and hearings, representation for health care license defense, representation for health care professionals, representation for medical nursing counselors license revocation, representation for medical nursing counselors license suspension, Representation for medical nursing counselors licensure defense, representation for revocation of medical license, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, The Health Law Firm reviews|Comments Off

Florida’s Protecting DNA Privacy Act: How Will It Affect Healthcare Providers?

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

On June 29, 2021, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 833, known as the “Protecting DNA Privacy Act,” which took effect in Florida October 1, 2021. Under the act, collecting or submitting another person’s DNA sample for analysis without his or her express consent now constitutes a second-degree felony in the state of Florida. It amends Section 760.40, Florida Statutes, with the criminal penalties being set forth in Section 817.5655, Florida Statutes.

The new law clarifies the extent to which individuals own their genetic information. It also creates new crimes for the unlawful collection, retention, analysis, disclosure, or sale of an individual’s DNA sample and the results of a DNA analysis. The act also has important implications for secondary uses of data by health care providers and others that perform genetic testing and analyze genetic information.

What is Genetic/DNA Privacy Law?

The use and accessibility of genetic testing, primarily through direct-to-consumer options (companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com ), has significantly increased in recent years, which has resulted in growing concerns about the privacy of genetic information and its use by third parties.

The Florida Legislature has focused on strengthening the protections surrounding genetic information. In 2020, it amended Florida law to limit the use of genetic information by life insurance companies for specific insurance purposes, including underwriting. Click here to read the final bill analysis for the act.

The Impact on Healthcare Professionals.

The new law will have the biggest impact on physicians who employ DNA testing in their practices. Physicians who collect or submit a patient’s DNA sample for DNA analysis will have to first obtain the patient’s express consent to do so.

“Express consent” is defined as “authorization by the person whose DNA is to be extracted or analyzed, or such person’s legal guardian or authorized representative, evidenced by an affirmative action demonstrating an intentional decision after the person receives a clear and prominent disclosure regarding the manner of collection, use, retention, maintenance, or disclosure of a DNA sample or results of a DNA analysis for specified purposes.”

This means that physicians who wish to have a patient’s DNA analyzed for a specified purpose need first to explain how the DNA sample will be collected, used, retained, and maintained and how the results of the DNA analysis will be used. This information ideally will be outlined in a formal, written document that the patient will sign. In addition, the legislation allows physicians to obtain a single express consent for every instance of a specified purpose or use.

What This Means For You.

Any healthcare professional engaged in such activities should consider reevaluating their consent processes to determine whether they obtain appropriate consent for all uses of de-identified results of DNA analysis. To learn more, click here.

Click here to view HB 833 in full.

Click here to review Section 760.40, Florida Statutes.

Click Here to review Section 817.5655, Florida Statutes, containing the criminal penalties.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Health Care Professionals and Providers.

At the Health Law Firm, we provide legal services for all health care providers and professionals. This includes physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, home health agencies, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, pain management clinics, nursing homes, and any other healthcare provider. It also includes medical students, resident physicians, and fellows, as well as medical school professors and clinical staff. We represent health facilities, individuals, groups, and institutions in contracts, sales, mergers, and acquisitions. The lawyers of The Health Law Firm are experienced in complex litigation and both formal and informal administrative hearings. We also represent physicians accused of wrongdoing, patient complaints, and in Department of Health investigations.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call our office at (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Peloquin, David. “What Fla. DNA Privacy Law Means For Health Providers.” Law360. (October 4, 2021). Web.

“How the new DNA privacy law could affect your practice.” Florida Society of Clinical Oncology. (September 20, 2021). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law; he is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999. Copyright © 2022 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:27-04:00June 25, 2023|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog|Tags: attorney for physician suits against insurers, Board of Medicine defense attorney, business insurance representation, business interruption insurance claims defense, complex civil litigation defense attorney, complex health care litigation attorney, complex healthcare litigation lawyer, complex medical business litigation against health insurers, complex medical litigation lawyer, Department of Health defense attorney, Health law defense lawyer, healthcare employment issue defense, healthcare employment law representation, legal representation for physicians, legal representation of health care professionals, nurse defense lawyer, physician complaint defense attorneys, representation for administrative hearing, representation for complex medical litigation, representation for disciplinary charges, representation for disciplinary complaint, representation for healthcare business litigation matters, representation for healthcare employment matters, reviews of The Health Law Firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|Comments Off

COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund Expected To Run Out of Money If Congress Doesn’t Act Soon

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

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created the “Provider Relief Fund” (PRF) to help support healthcare providers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal program has served as a lifeline to frontline healthcare workers who’ve experienced revenue losses and increased demand for their services during the pandemic.

To date, it has allocated more than $178 billion in payments to over 410,000 providers across the United States. Click here to learn more.

COVID-19 Uninsured Relief Fund.

Let’s start with some good news: Under the COVID-19 relief funding, HHS created the “uninsured relief fund.” This program provides claims reimbursement to health care providers for testing, treating, diagnosis, and administering vaccines to uninsured individuals for COVID-19. It has paid out more than $17 billion throughout the pandemic. It has paid out more than $17 billion throughout the pandemic.

Of the $17 billion, HHS has distributed nearly $10 billion for testing, more than $6 billion reimbursed for treatment, and the remainder covered vaccinations. Read more on the statistics here.

Running Out of Money.

Now for the bad news: According to an HHS spokesperson, there’s only $7.6 billion left, and the money will run out in the coming months. Congress isn’t currently considering making more funding available, meaning providers and patients are likely to have soon to bear the costs themselves.

Therefore, many hospitals and healthcare organizations urge Congress to replenish the PRF. “One of the most helpful and patient-oriented uses of the PRF was to help those people who for whatever reasons are uninsured and suffer from COVID-19,” said Federation of American Hospitals CEO Chip Kahn. “It meant that no one should have any reluctance to go to the hospital if they have COVID but no insurance.”

Additionally, on February 9, 2022, the American Hospital Association released a statement urging readers to contact lawmakers to get Congress to provide another $25 billion for the PRF in the government funding package. Read the AHA’s action alert here.

As we approach nearly two years since HHS declared COVID-19 a national public health emergency, PRF has been a lifeline to hospitals, health systems, and medical professionals. It has been helping to keep doors open during the pandemic to continue providing essential care to patients and communities. However, if the program runs out of money and Congress doesn’t appropriate more, hospitals could be left footing the bill, which will hurt both providers and patients in the end.

Read one of my previous blogs on a similar case regarding a Florida Dentist’s COVID-19 Business Interruption Insurance Claim to learn even more.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Health Care Professionals and Providers.

At the Health Law Firm, we provide legal services for all health care providers and professionals. This includes physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, home health agencies, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, pain management clinics, nursing homes, and any other healthcare provider. It also includes medical students, resident physicians, and fellows, as well as medical school professors and clinical staff. We represent health facilities, individuals, groups, and institutions in contracts, sales, mergers, and acquisitions. The lawyers of The Health Law Firm are experienced in complex litigation and both formal and informal administrative hearings. We also represent physicians accused of wrongdoing, patient complaints, and in Department of Health investigations.

To contact The Health Law Firm, please call our office at (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.ThehealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Hellmann, Jessie. “HHS running out of money to pay providers for treating uninsured COVID-19 patients.” Modern Healthcare. (February 8, 2022). Web.

HRSA. “Covid Uninsured Claim.” Health Resources & Services Administration. (February 2022). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law; he is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave. Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2022 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:27-04:00June 16, 2023|Categories: Health Facilities Law Blog, In the News|Tags: attorney for physician suits against insurers, Board of Medicine defense attorney, business insurance representation, business interruption insurance claims defense, complex civil litigation attorney, complex health care litigation attorney, complex healthcare litigation lawyer, complex medical business litigation against health insurers, complex medical litigation lawyer, COVID-19 business insurance claim representation, defense lawyer for physicians, doctor defense legal representation, Health law defense lawyer, healthcare employment law representation, legal representation for healthcare professionals, legal representation for physicians, legal representation for physicians and health care professionals, legal representation of health care professionals, nurse defense lawyer, physician complaint defense attorneys, representation for administrative hearing, representation for complex medical litigation, representation for healthcare business litigation matters, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, the health law firm, The Health Law Firm attorney reviews|Comments Off

Medicare Revocation and the Collateral Damage It Can Cause Health Care Providers

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

Many healthcare professionals are unaware of the adverse long-term collateral effects of Medicare revocation or exclusion on their careers and future employment. However, if you are a physician, dentist, nurse, mental health counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, massage therapist, or other licensed health professional whose license is revoked or suspended, there may still be hope.

Lasting Consequences of Medicare Revocation.

A revocation or exclusion from Medicare is often a severe consequence of license discipline on a professional license and can devastate a provider’s career. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can revoke a healthcare provider’s agreement to participate in Medicare. When this occurs, their Medicare billing privileges are terminated. Their legal authority to write prescriptions, referrals or orders for tests paid by Medicare also vanishes.

Additionally, the exclusion can last for many years. This can be a career-ending move for many healthcare providers especially physicians, as Medicare revocation is reported to the National Practitioner Databank (NPDB). In addition, it can potentially affect their opportunities to work in hospitals with other Medicare providers, or on health insurance panels.

For this reason, healthcare providers need to retain a health law attorney with experience in licensing issues who can help them navigate the complex legal system Medicare presents. A skilled attorney can review the facts of the case, develop a strategy for defending the provider’s license, recommend actions to avoid or mitigate the damages, and represent them in administrative hearings or proceedings in court. In some cases, an effective legal strategy may minimize the impact of discipline or even prevent Medicare revocation or exclusion. However, the best way to protect against license discipline and its consequences is to ensure that you are in compliance with Medicare standards, regulations and procedures.

To learn more, read one of my prior blogs here.

Contact Experienced Health Law Attorneys in Healthcare Licensing Issues.

If you have had a license suspended or revoked, or you are facing imminent action against your license, it is imperative that you contact an experienced healthcare attorney to assist in defending you. Remember, your license is your livelihood. It is not recommended that you should not attempt to pursue these matters without the assistance of an experienced health care attorney. The Health Law Firm routinely represents physicians, dentists, nurses, medical groups, clinics, and other healthcare providers in Medicare issues and in defense of actions in personal and facility licensing actions.

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Hollender, Allison and Wortley, Mackenzie. “Collateral Consequences of Medicare Revocations.” AHLA. (March 9, 2021). Web.

Simas, Steven. “Collateral Consequence of Healthcare License Discipline – Medicare Exclusion.” SIMAS & Associates. (October 3, 2017). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Attorney Positions with The Health Law Firm. The Health Law Firm is always looking for qualified attorneys interested in the practice of health law. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. If you are a member of The Florida Bar and are interested, forward a cover letter and your resume to: [email protected] or fax to: (407) 331-3030.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:28-04:00June 9, 2023|Categories: Nursing Law Blog|Tags: appeal of emergency suspension order (ESO), appeal of final order revoking suspending license, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) formal hearing defense attorney, Florida health law defense attorney, formal Medicare administrative hearing lawyer, health care license defense attorney, legal defense of emergency suspension or restriction order (ESO), legal representation for Medicare Medicaid administrative hearing, Legal representation for Medicare Medicaid audit, legal representation for Medicare Medicaid revocation termination hearings, legal representation for physicians and health care professionals, legal representation of health care professionals, medical license investigation defense attorney, medical nursing counselors license revocation attorney, medical nursing counselors licensure defense lawyer, Medicare Medicaid hearing attorney, Medicare Medicaid overpayment demand defense lawyer, protecting your medical nursing counselors professional license, representation for Florida Department of Health (DOH) investigations and hearings, representation for health care license defense, representation for health care professionals, representation for medical nursing counselors license revocation, representation for medical nursing counselors license suspension, Representation for medical nursing counselors licensure defense, representation for revocation of medical license, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, The Health Law Firm reviews|Comments Off

Medicare Revocation and the Collateral Damage It Can Cause Health Care Providers

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

Many healthcare professionals are unaware of the adverse long-term collateral effects of Medicare revocation or exclusion on their careers and future employment. However, if you are a physician, dentist, nurse, mental health counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, massage therapist, or other licensed health professional whose license is revoked or suspended, there may still be hope.

Lasting Consequences of Medicare Revocation.

A revocation or exclusion from Medicare is often a severe consequence of license discipline on a professional license and can devastate a provider’s career. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can revoke a healthcare provider’s agreement to participate in Medicare. When this occurs, their Medicare billing privileges are terminated. Their legal authority to write prescriptions, referrals, or orders for tests paid by Medicare also vanishes.

Additionally, the exclusion can last for many years. This can be a career-ending move for many healthcare providers, especially physicians, as Medicare revocation is reported to the National Practitioner Databank (NPDB). In addition, it can potentially affect their opportunities to work in hospitals with other Medicare providers or on health insurance panels.

For this reason, healthcare providers need to retain a health law attorney with experience in licensing issues who can help them navigate the complex legal system Medicare presents. A skilled attorney can review the facts of the case, develop a strategy for defending the provider’s license, recommend actions to avoid or mitigate the damages and represent them in administrative hearings or proceedings in court. In some cases, an effective legal strategy may minimize the impact of discipline or even prevent Medicare revocation or exclusion. However, the best way to protect against license discipline and its consequences is to ensure that you are in compliance with Medicare standards, regulations, and procedures.

To learn more, read one of my prior blogs here.

Contact Experienced Health Law Attorneys in Healthcare Licensing Issues.

If you have had a license suspended or revoked, or you are facing imminent action against your license, it is imperative that you contact an experienced healthcare attorney to assist in defending you. Remember, your license is your livelihood. It is not recommended that you should not attempt to pursue these matters without the assistance of an experienced health care attorney. The Health Law Firm routinely represents physicians, dentists, nurses, medical groups, clinics, and other healthcare providers in Medicare issues and in defense of actions in personal and facility licensing actions.

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.

Sources:

Hollender, Allison and Wortley, Mackenzie. “Collateral Consequences of Medicare Revocations.” AHLA. (March 9, 2021). Web.

Simas, Steven. “Collateral Consequence of Healthcare License Discipline – Medicare Exclusion.” SIMAS & Associates. (October 3, 2017). Web.

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.

Attorney Positions with The Health Law Firm. The Health Law Firm is always looking for qualified attorneys interested in the practice of health law. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. If you are a member of The Florida Bar and are interested, forward a cover letter and your resume to: [email protected] or fax to: (407) 331-3030.

“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:30-04:00May 17, 2023|Categories: Dental Law Blog|Tags: appeal of emergency suspension order (ESO), appeal of final order revoking suspending license, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) formal hearing defense attorney, Florida health law defense attorney, formal Medicare administrative hearing lawyer, health care license defense attorney, legal defense of emergency suspension or restriction order (ESO), legal representation for Medicare Medicaid administrative hearing, Legal representation for Medicare Medicaid audit, legal representation for Medicare Medicaid revocation termination hearings, legal representation for physicians and health care professionals, legal representation of health care professionals, medical license investigation defense attorney, medical nursing counselors license revocation attorney, medical nursing counselors licensure defense lawyer, Medicare Medicaid hearing attorney, Medicare Medicaid overpayment demand defense lawyer, protecting your medical nursing counselors professional license, representation for Florida Department of Health (DOH) investigations and hearings, representation for health care license defense, representation for health care professionals, representation for medical nursing counselors license revocation, representation for medical nursing counselors license suspension, Representation for medical nursing counselors licensure defense, representation for revocation of medical license, reviews of The Health Law Firm attorneys, The Health Law Firm reviews|Comments Off