The Most Common Issues Associated with Running a Medical Practice
While medical practices help many people in a variety of ways, running one comes with potential risks. In addition to maintaining a current medical knowledge of treatments and protocols, the operation of a medical practice also requires that many other things are kept accurate and up-to-date. The legality of a medical practice is of the […]
» Read More...October 26, 2018
Office of the Inspector General Revises Anti-Kickback Rules
The federal government is hoping to emphasize care coordination in the healthcare industry. Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has stated that it may soon overhaul anti-kickback regulations to help providers. Under the statute, it is a criminal offense to knowingly and willfully offer, pay, solicit, or […]
» Read More...October 9, 2018
CMS Seeks Input from Health Care Industry on Stark Law Provisions
The federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) prohibits the exchange of a reward for the referral of a federal health care program or business. Like AKS, Stark Law prohibits physician self-referral of a Medicare or Medicaid patient to an entity providing designated health services with whom the physician has a financial relationship. For example, certain doctors who […]
» Read More...September 27, 2018
Opioid Laws Hit Physicians in Unintended Ways
The opioid crisis in America has spread to every state and city. With over 115 people suffering from drug-related fatalities daily, new laws addressing the misuse of opioid pain killers are being passed in many states. A reduction in the use of opioids is the main goal of opioid laws, which increased regulations for prescribing […]
» Read More...September 13, 2018
Physician Burnout
For most physicians, working long hours under stressful situations is their daily routine. Over time, this repeated pattern of being overworked can lead to burnout and a poor work-life balance. Recent findings by Locumstory.com show that more doctors are spending increased time at work. The study is based on responses from over 3,700 general and specialty […]
» Read More...August 28, 2018
CMS to Streamline Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Process
To create a more efficient and convenient Medicare and Medicaid enrollment process for physicians, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have proposed a new pilot program. The program will include an updated enrollment application with improved provider screening for state Medicaid agencies that will use the same methods that are now in place […]
» Read More...August 14, 2018
Pediatric Practices Develop Sexual Harassment Policies
Sexual harassment in the workplace is an unfortunate reality for many employees. Harassment can happen in every type of workplace, including professional settings. Pediatric practices are somewhat unique workplaces. Often, only a few colleagues work together in a small and intimate office space. Something as subtle as a doctor brushing against a staff member while […]
» Read More...July 31, 2018
Anti-Kickback Statute vs. Stark Law
Physicians and health care professionals should be familiar with and know the distinctions between the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and Stark Law. These laws apply to doctors receiving compensation for inappropriate referrals. Understanding the differences between the two can avoid potential problems for physicians and their practices. Anti-Kickback Statute: The Basics AKS is a federal health […]
» Read More...July 13, 2018
Hospital Doctors Face Non-Compete Agreements
Many physicians have left private practices to work at hospitals, and there are several reasons for this migration. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) changed the landscape for healthcare, and certain doctors feel that the regulations can be a burden. David Chan, MD from UCLA, Stanford Oncology Fellowship, states that the only way to be compliant with […]
» Read More...June 28, 2018
Possible Changes to Drug Kickback Laws
At the annual Food and Drug Administration conference, Commissioner Scott Gottlieb suggested the federal laws that protect rebates circulated between pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies, and drug manufacturers are due for a change. He offered that drug rebates currently protected by the federal government are partly to blame for rising medication costs and revamping the […]
» Read More...June 14, 2018
