A New York hospital has settled with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) for $2.2 million after allowing a TV crew for the ABC documentary series “NY Med” to film patients receiving medical treatment without obtaining prior authorization from the patients or their representatives. The estate of one … Continue Reading
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the two-midnight rule to create an exception that will allow payment under Medicare Part A for certain medically necessary hospital stays that do not extend across two midnights. The new rule is effective for admissions after January 1, 2016, and permits payment on a case-by-case … Continue Reading
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for guidance on medical devices, has acknowledged that certain devices are susceptible to breaches. The FDA has identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities in medical devices that could allow unauthorized users to not only access patient information, but also to control the device. The FDA’s oversight comes at … Continue Reading
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), healthcare providers that receive an overpayment from Medicare or Medicaid are required to report and return the overpayment to the government within 60 days after the date on which the overpayment was identified (commonly referred to as the “60-day rule”). An overpayment retained after 60 days constitutes an “obligation” … Continue Reading
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently issued another advisory opinion on free patient transportation (OIG Adv. Op. No. 15-13, dated October 21, 2015). In the opinion, the OIG addresses whether providing patients a free shuttle service between medical facilities operated by an integrated health system (the System) would be prohibited remuneration to beneficiaries under … Continue Reading
An Illinois circuit court judge has dismissed five of six claims in a consolidated class action against Advocate Health and Hospital Corporation arising from a data breach in July 2013. The judge’s dismissal with prejudice leaves only a negligence claim, based on a duty to reasonably safeguard information, pending against Advocate.… Continue Reading