Accreditation
Department of Justice Announces Significant False Claims Act Settlements Tied to Electronic Health Records ArrangementsRecent Joint Commission Guidance Recommends Steps for Health Care Organizations to Reduce Workplace ViolenceProviding Patient Written Plan of Care Eliminated from The Joint Commission’s Standards for Deemed Home Health Agencies
Advisory Opinions
OIG Advisory Opinion No. 19-02 Allows Pharmaceutical Manufacturer to Temporarily Loan Smartphones to Financially Needy Patients to Receive Data from a Digestible Medication SensorOIG Disapproves of Drug Company’s Plan to Provide Hospitals Free Medications in Advisory OpinionOIG Issues Favorable Advisory Opinion for Trust Donations to Public-Private Research Institute Affiliated with a Health System Having Ongoing Business Relationships with Trustee-Owned Long-Term Care Facilities
Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC)
HHS Publishes Significant Updates to Anti-Kickback Statute Safe-Harbors and Beneficiary Inducement CMP RegulationsConnecticut Authorizes Out-of-State Health Care Practitioners to Render Assistance for Remainder of COVID-19 PandemicHHS Extends Compliance Deadline for Providers Receiving CARES Act Provider Relief Funds and Reminds Providers of June 3 Deadline Related to Additional Relief Fund Payments
Americans With Disabilities
OCR Reaches Early Case Resolutions with the State of Connecticut and a Private Hospital Regarding Rights of Persons with Disabilities to Have Reasonable Access to Support Persons in Hospital Settings During COVID-19Connecticut Legislature Permits Facilities to Administer Emergency Medication to Defendants Without Consent in Limited CircumstancesAppeals Court Reverses ADA Jury Verdict for Pharmacist with Fear of Needles
Clinical Research
Connecticut Governor Issues Executive Order to Expand Patient and Provider Access to COVID-19 Vaccination InformationIn Anticipation of COVID-19 Vaccine Approval, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Issues Executive Order To Facilitate Vaccine Administration and ReportingCMS Announces Merit-Based Incentive Payment for Clinicians Participating in COVID-19 Clinical Trial
Commercial Health Insurance
Connecticut Extends Expansion of Access to Telehealth ServicesConnecticut Authorizes Out-of-State Health Care Practitioners to Render Assistance for Remainder of COVID-19 PandemicConnecticut Governor Expands Health Care Workforce, Access to Telehealth Services and Issues Other Important Health Care Updates in New Executive Orders
Department of Justice
HHS Extends Compliance Deadline for Providers Receiving CARES Act Provider Relief Funds and Reminds Providers of June 3 Deadline Related to Additional Relief Fund PaymentsOIG Will Not Impose Administrative Sanctions for AKS Violations for Conduct Covered by Certain Blanket Waivers of the Stark LawDOJ and FTC Issue Joint Statement on Antitrust Enforcement and the COVID-19 Pandemic
EMTALA
Connecticut Authorizes Out-of-State Health Care Practitioners to Render Assistance for Remainder of COVID-19 PandemicHHS Issues Section 1135 Waiver, and CMS Issues Blanket Waivers of Health Care Laws, in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) EmergencyNew Connecticut Legislation Updates Laws Concerning Urgent Care Centers, Hospital-Based Facility Fees and Freestanding Hospital Emergency Departments
False Claims Act
HHS Publishes Significant Updates to Anti-Kickback Statute Safe-Harbors and Beneficiary Inducement CMP RegulationsMassachusetts Federal Court Declines to Apply State Medical Peer Review Privilege in Federal Whistleblower CaseCMS Extends Timeline for Finalizing Changes to Physician Self-Referral (Stark) Law Regulations to August 2021
FDA
Connecticut Governor Issues Executive Order to Expand Patient and Provider Access to COVID-19 Vaccination InformationIn Anticipation of COVID-19 Vaccine Approval, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Issues Executive Order To Facilitate Vaccine Administration and ReportingRhode Island Issues Emergency Regulations on Off-Label Prescribing for COVID-19, and Guidance on Telehealth and Reciprocal Licensure
Fraud and Abuse
HHS Publishes Significant Updates to Anti-Kickback Statute Safe-Harbors and Beneficiary Inducement CMP RegulationsCMS Publishes Monumental Changes and Updates to the Physician Self-Referral (Stark) Law RegulationsMassachusetts Federal Court Declines to Apply State Medical Peer Review Privilege in Federal Whistleblower Case
Government Enforcement
Biden COVID-19 Action Plan Expands Vaccine Mandates, Testing, and Treatment to Combat Spread of VirusConnecticut Governor Issues Executive Order to Expand Patient and Provider Access to COVID-19 Vaccination InformationConnecticut Governor Signs Bill Limiting Hospital Billing and Collection Efforts and Revising Connecticut’s Facility Fee Laws
Healthcare Technology
Connecticut Extends Expansion of Access to Telehealth ServicesIn Anticipation of COVID-19 Vaccine Approval, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Issues Executive Order To Facilitate Vaccine Administration and ReportingPhysician Self-Referral Law (Stark), Anti-Kickback Statute, and Beneficiary Inducement CMPs – HHS Releases Final Rules
HIPAA
Connecticut Enacts Legislation to Incentivize Adoption of Cybersecurity Safeguards and Expand Breach Reporting ObligationsDiabetes, Endocrinology & Lipidology Center Becomes 19th Settlement with OCR for HIPAA Right-of-Access ViolationOCR Announces Settlement with Clinical Lab for Alleged HIPAA Violations
Home Health Agencies
HHS Publishes Significant Updates to Anti-Kickback Statute Safe-Harbors and Beneficiary Inducement CMP RegulationsHHS Announces Additional Distribution of $10 Billion to Safety Net Hospitals, and $15 Billion to Medicaid and CHIP Providers Left Out of General DistributionHHS Extends Compliance Deadline for Providers Receiving CARES Act Provider Relief Funds and Reminds Providers of June 3 Deadline Related to Additional Relief Fund Payments
Legislation
Biden COVID-19 Action Plan Expands Vaccine Mandates, Testing, and Treatment to Combat Spread of VirusNew Legislation Updates Laws Related to Hospital Admission and Discharge PracticesConnecticut Governor Signs Bill Limiting Hospital Billing and Collection Efforts and Revising Connecticut’s Facility Fee Laws
Long Term Care and Nursing Homes
HHS Announces Additional Distribution of $10 Billion to Safety Net Hospitals, and $15 Billion to Medicaid and CHIP Providers Left Out of General DistributionHHS Extends Compliance Deadline for Providers Receiving CARES Act Provider Relief Funds and Reminds Providers of June 3 Deadline Related to Additional Relief Fund PaymentsCMS Releases Additional Blanket Waivers in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Long Term Care Facilities
CMS Passes Final Rule Reducing Regulations Burdensome on Health Care ProvidersMassachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine Makes Significant Changes to Regulations Governing Licensure and Practice of MedicineNew York Legislature Passes Bill Allowing Employees to Place a Lien on Employer’s Property for Wage Claims
Managed Care
Connecticut Budget Bill Includes Important Changes to Network Participation Contracts Between Health Care Providers and InsurersPhysician Self-Referral Law (Stark), Anti-Kickback Statute, and Beneficiary Inducement CMPs – HHS Releases Final RulesConnecticut Authorizes Out-of-State Health Care Practitioners to Render Assistance for Remainder of COVID-19 Pandemic
Medical Devices
Construction and Maintenance: Connectivity and Cyber Security ConsiderationsCMS Finalizes 2021 End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System Rule Expanding Payments for In-Home Dialysis Equipment and SuppliesCARES Act Provides Vital Financial Support for Health Care Providers on COVID-19 Front Lines
Medical Staff and Peer Review
COVID-19 Vaccine Update: HHS Expands Pool of Eligible Vaccinators under PREP ActMassachusetts Federal Court Declines to Apply State Medical Peer Review Privilege in Federal Whistleblower CaseConnecticut Authorizes Out-of-State Health Care Practitioners to Render Assistance for Remainder of COVID-19 Pandemic
Medicare and Medicaid
CMS Issues Advisory Opinion Clarifying Physician Self-Referral Law Group Practice StructureConnecticut Governor Signs Bill Limiting Hospital Billing and Collection Efforts and Revising Connecticut’s Facility Fee LawsHHS Publishes Significant Updates to Anti-Kickback Statute Safe-Harbors and Beneficiary Inducement CMP Regulations
Office of Inspector General
COVID-19 Vaccine Update: HHS Expands Pool of Eligible Vaccinators under PREP ActHHS Publishes Significant Updates to Anti-Kickback Statute Safe-Harbors and Beneficiary Inducement CMP RegulationsPhysician Self-Referral Law (Stark), Anti-Kickback Statute, and Beneficiary Inducement CMPs – HHS Releases Final Rules
Pharmaceuticals and Biologics
Connecticut Governor Issues Executive Order to Expand Patient and Provider Access to COVID-19 Vaccination InformationConnecticut Legislature Passes Act to Help Address the Opioid EpidemicIn Anticipation of COVID-19 Vaccine Approval, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Issues Executive Order To Facilitate Vaccine Administration and Reporting
Pharmacies
Massachusetts Issues COVID-19 Orders and Related Guidance for Pharmacies and Pharmacy ProfessionalsConnecticut Enacts Law to Increase Access to Epinephrine Auto InjectorsCBD Update: FDA Issues Statement, Calls Public Hearing, and Announces Warning Letters on Products Containing Cannabis and its Components
Pharmacy Law
Connecticut Governor Issues Executive Order to Expand Patient and Provider Access to COVID-19 Vaccination InformationIn Anticipation of COVID-19 Vaccine Approval, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont Issues Executive Order To Facilitate Vaccine Administration and ReportingHHS Publishes Significant Updates to Anti-Kickback Statute Safe-Harbors and Beneficiary Inducement CMP Regulations
Physicians and Allied Health Professionals
Biden COVID-19 Action Plan Expands Vaccine Mandates, Testing, and Treatment to Combat Spread of VirusConnecticut Governor Issues Executive Order to Expand Patient and Provider Access to COVID-19 Vaccination InformationNew Legislation Updates Laws Related to Hospital Admission and Discharge Practices
Private Equity
DOJ Reaches $21.36 Million Agreement with Compounding Pharmacy, Two of its Executives, and Managing Private Equity Firm to Resolve FCA AllegationsNew York Court of Appeals Holds that PCs that Cede Excessive Control to MSOs Violate the Corporate Practice of Medicine DoctrinePrivate Equity Firm Named as Defendant in False Claims Act Case Targeting A Portfolio Company
Reimbursement
Connecticut Governor Issues Executive Order to Expand Patient and Provider Access to COVID-19 Vaccination InformationConnecticut Governor Signs Bill Limiting Hospital Billing and Collection Efforts and Revising Connecticut’s Facility Fee LawsConnecticut Budget Bill Includes Important Changes to Network Participation Contracts Between Health Care Providers and Insurers
Stark Law
CMS Issues Advisory Opinion Clarifying Physician Self-Referral Law Group Practice StructureCMS Publishes Monumental Changes and Updates to the Physician Self-Referral (Stark) Law RegulationsPhysician Self-Referral Law (Stark), Anti-Kickback Statute, and Beneficiary Inducement CMPs – HHS Releases Final Rules