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
PA Health Care Practices and Facilities Should Modify Their COVID-19 Policies for New Travel Quarantine
On July 1, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Gov. Wolf issued a 14-day quarantine recommendation for any individual returning to PA from any of 19 states. The Department expects to adjust the list from time to time to reflect the rise or decrease in COVID-19 cases in states around the country.
Health care practices and facilities should consider … 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
J-1 Waiver Physicians: COVID-19 Reduction in Hours and Telehealth (Limited) Temporary Flexibility
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The following post originally appeared on the Fox Rothschild’s “Immigration View” blog.
On May 11, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum relating to certain J-1 waivered foreign medical graduates during the COVID-19 national emergency. The memo, captioned “Temporary Policy Changes for Certain Foreign Medical … Continue Reading
OSHA Safety Considerations for Reopening Dental Practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is keenly aware of the need to protect employees of dental practices returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 11, 2020, OSHA issued an alert listing safety tips employers can follow to help protect dental industry workers from exposure to COVID-19. OSHA’s alert is consistent with the … 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 COVID-19 Reporting Regulations and Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities, effective May 8, 2020
On May 8, 2020, CMS published an Interim Rule, one portion of which is focused on new reporting requirements for skilled nursing facilities. The new reporting requirements, effective May 8, 2020, fall into two categories: (a) reporting COVID-19 Information to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); and (b) reporting COVID-19 information to residents and family members. Details regarding the … 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