New guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) highlights the importance of updating corporate compliance programs to satisfy regulatory requirements. The 2020 updates pick up where the 2019 guidance left off in addressing the evaluation metrics for compliance. The key takeaway for 2020 is that companies are encouraged to update and improve compliance programs with the latest in … Continue Reading
Costs for COVID Tests – The Buck Stops Where?
Widespread testing for the novel Coronavirus is generally recognized as an important tool in combating the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization is an advocate for broad testing, so as to better locate incidents of infection for purposes of isolation, caring, and tracking.
However, the cumulative cost for such testing is significant. In a study commissioned by the … Continue Reading
THE ABC’S OF THE S.I.U.: What Providers Need to Know
Medical record requests by payors are commonplace for health care providers. Typically, these requests are received by a front desk employee who responds to the inquiry in short order. Yet, not all requests should be treated the same. When a request for documentation is propounded by the “Special Investigation Unit” (S.I.U.) of an insurance company, special care should be exercised … Continue Reading
Medicare Appeals and Audit Waivers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
In the event of a national disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act or the National Emergencies Act and a Public Health Emergency Declaration by government officials, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary can temporarily waive certain Medicaid and Medicare criterion, which are commonly referred to as 1135 Waivers. By way of example, 1135 Waivers or … Continue Reading
Heightened Cybersecurity Risks for Healthcare Organizations during COVID-19 Pandemic
In the midst of the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic, cybercriminals are targeting healthcare organizations with phishing campaigns, ransomware, and other malicious acts that can adversely impact health information technology, medical response, and patient safety.
Recently, the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell issued an Advisory pertaining to such acts, which includes best practices for users and administrators of healthcare organizations to … Continue Reading
PA Medical and Dental Practices Permitted to Resume Elective Care with Limitations
***UPDATE: The PA DOH is now permitting dental practices to re-open for non-urgent or elective care. Please see our post summarizing the guidance here: PA Dental Practices Permitted to Re-Open for Routine Cleanings
In Guidance issued May 8, 2020 and May 9, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has now permitted medical and dental practices across the Commonwealth to … Continue Reading
New Jersey Announces Emergency Graduate Licensure Program to Grant Temporary Licenses to Health Care Practitioners
In an effort to meet the increased demand for health care professionals during the current state of emergency and public health emergency, on May 5, 2020, pursuant to DCA Administrative Order No. 2020-05 and DCA Waiver No. W-2020-09, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced its Emergency Graduate Licensure Program, established pursuant to a new law signed … Continue Reading
PA Continues Fight Against Opioid Addiction with Opioid Treatment Agreements
In the continued fight against opioid addiction, Pennsylvania enacted a new law, effective November 27, 2019, that requires prescribers in Pennsylvania to implement additional steps prior to treating a patient’s chronic pain with a controlled substance containing an opioid, including the implementation of an Opioid Treatment Agreement. The new law can be accessed here: Act 112 of 2019.… Continue Reading
EEOC Permits Employers to Test Employees for COVID-19 Prior to Entering the Workplace
Hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinical labs, pharmacies, medical practices and dental practices may now test employees for COVID-19 prior to them entering the workplace.
Yesterday, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its COVID-19 guidance to provide that under the current circumstances presented by the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, “an employer may choose to administer COVID-19 testing to … Continue Reading
Coronavirus Resources for Physicians and Dentists
With the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the significant governmental actions being taken at federal, state and local levels, physicians and dentists around the country are seeking guidance on how to continue to treat patients while ensuring that the health of their employees and patients is protected.
Whether your practice is open or temporarily closed, you may be … Continue Reading