Robert E. Slavkin

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Robert Slavkin is the chair of the Healthcare Practice Group, a multidisciplinary team recognized nationally for representing sector participants in regulatory compliance, insurance, and transactional issues. A former healthcare corporate counsel, compliance, and privacy officer for a publicly traded healthcare company, Robert represents a variety of clients within the healthcare sector, providing guidance on complex issues and compliance with all appropriate federal and state statutes and regulations. These include federal anti-kickback, Stark laws, Medicare, Medicaid, HIPAA, and FDA regulations, as well as providing guidance on daily operational and compliance issues facing healthcare entities. Robert has significant experience with the Affordable Care Act and the ever-evolving role accountable care plays in U.S. health reform. Additionally, Robert counsels clients on Medicare Managed Care and the Part D programs. He possesses a keen understanding of the momentous legislative changes of this sector as well as potential resulting implications.

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Don’t Panic! – A Guide for Healthcare Employers to Understand the Potential Impact of FTC’s Non-Compete Ban

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), through a 3-2 vote, approved a final rule (the Final Rule), banning most forms of non-compete clauses with workers. A non-compete clause generally prevents a worker from getting a different job or starting a new business that competes with the employer after the conclusion of their … Continue Reading

Did You Know Medicare Implemented New Provider and Supplier Enrollment Requirements?  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised certain payment policies under the Medicare physician fee schedule, and updated provider and supplier enrollment regulations. CMS recently published a final rule (the Final Rule) effective January 1, 2024. Technical and typographical errors in the Final Rule were later corrected by a subsequent final rule … Continue Reading

COVID-19 and Possible Silver Bullets: Update on Vaccine Development

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic that has taken the lives of over 250,000 Americans, and worldwide over 1 million people, this year, an effective vaccine has emerged as our silver bullet – a way for the nation, and the world, to fight back and, in time, begin to return to … Continue Reading

Some Things Never Change: EMTALA in the Time of COVID-19

Even in this time of crisis, nothing has changed about a hospital’s obligation to comply with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued guidance (available here) to, and some flexibility for, hospitals on how to provide care to the growing influx of patients … Continue Reading

Hackers Raise the Stakes By Possibly Causing Physical Harm

Computer hacking, and the permutation of crimes that can be committed by hackers, generally does not spur images of infliction of physical harm. However, in a chilling turn of events, computer hackers have opened a new front in the damage that can be inflicted through cybercrime. In a nefarious series of developments, cyber-liabilities now arise … Continue Reading

Is A Federal Privacy Law In The Cards for 2020?

In May of 2018, the European Union enacted the General Data Protection Rules, or GDPR, a legal framework that outlines not only how companies may collect and process personal information of EU residents, but how that data is stored and used. Since its enactment, GDPR has triggered a global push towards compliance with those standards. … Continue Reading

Privacy Policy: The Midterm Effect

Congress has long attempted to grapple with issues of cyber-security, both within the healthcare field, and generally in the United States.  The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) have provided significant compliance requirements for healthcare entities in the area of … Continue Reading

CMS Announces Loosening of Rules Regarding Part D Formularies

In a memorandum issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Management (“CMS”) on August 29, 2018, the federal government outlined new ‘flexibility’ and tools for Part D plans to “expand choices and lower drug prices for patients.” Beginning in 2020, Part D plans will be able to utilize what is called ‘indication-based formulary design’ … Continue Reading

GDPR: What You Need to Know Now

It is safe to say that there has been much fear and confusion over the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Rule, or GDPR. With an effective date of May 25, 2018, and little guidance as to how the GDPR applies to organizations that do not have a physical presence in the EU or do … Continue Reading

Senate Healthcare Bill Released for Public Review

Just over four weeks after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its score of the American Healthcare Act (AHCA), the bill passed by a narrow margin in the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate released ‘The Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017’. Upon initial review, we are providing a quick overview of this proposed … Continue Reading

The American Health Care Act, the Sequel Receives Its CBO Grade

Perhaps the high fives in the Rose Garden of the White House a few weeks ago may have been a bit premature. On Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its analysis of the revised American Health Care Act (AHCA), and the review contained positive budgetary news, but the overall impact of … Continue Reading

The American Health Care Act: Now What Happens?

To great fanfare by both the leadership of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives (the House) and President Trump, on May 4, 2017, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the proposed successor/replacement to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed the House by a narrow vote of 217-213. Unsurprisingly, no member of the Democratic … Continue Reading

Accountable Care, Non-Profit Status and the Dangerous Ripple Effect it May Cause

On April 8, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Private Letter Ruling (PLR) 201615022, which denied tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status to a commercial accountable care organization (ACO). This ruling marks the first time the IRS published any guidance regarding commercial ACOs. The last guidance from the IRS regarding ACOs came in 2011 and was related … Continue Reading

CMS Publishes Notice of Proposed Rule Making Regarding Stark Law Amendments and Seeks Comment on the Issue of Stark Acting as a Barrier to Healthcare Reform

In early July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking, amending the Physician Self-Referral Prohibitions, or Stark law. 80 Fed. Reg. 41,909-930 (July 15, 2015). The proposed rule introduces two exceptions to Stark. The first new exception, 42 C.F.R. §411.357(x), allows financial assistance to medical practices so they … Continue Reading

A Quick Look at Healthcare Issues Expected to Make News in 2015

As we look into our crystal balls, we do not expect a lot of new issues in 2015. Rather, we believe that most of the significant issues will be a continuation of issues that arose in 2014 or earlier. For example, continued implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”), which was … Continue Reading

Florida Information Protection Act of 2014 – Florida Means Business When It Comes to Protecting Customers’ Personal Information

On June 20, 2014, Governor Rick Scott signed into law the Florida Information Protection Act of 2014 (“FIPA”), which became effective July 1, 2014. FIPA expands the obligations of businesses and government entities that maintain data containing personal information of individuals to safeguard and provide notice of breaches of such information. As a result, Florida … Continue Reading

HHS Proposes Extension of Deadline for EHR Compliance

According to the federal government, over 370,000 providers have participated in the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (“EHR”) incentive program since its inception in 2011. However, providers nationwide continue to grapple with the challenges of complying with federal EHR requirements, and many such providers have voiced their displeasure to the federal government regarding the … Continue Reading

Predictions for Top 10 Healthcare Stories for 2014

The past year was one of the most eventful in recent memory for healthcare policy. As the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) continued its inexorable, albeit at times wobbly, march towards implementation, the headlines became more and more sensational. 2014 promises to be even more fascinating. We provide for you our prediction, in no particular order, … Continue Reading

Industry Leaders Share Insights into Healthcare Reform and the Future of Healthcare Policy

Current events were top-of-mind last Friday, November 15, 2013, as Akerman LLP’s Healthcare Practice Group and Wells Fargo invited clients and industry professionals to engage in a thoughtful discussion on healthcare reform and the future of the American healthcare system. The Healthcare Briefing featured a distinguished panel of executives and legal advisors that included Gordon … Continue Reading

Affordable Care Act Update: Pay or Play Delay, and What Does it Say Today?

Late Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 2013, the federal government issued a statement through the US Department of the Treasury, announcing that the controversial employer shared responsibility provisions, coined the ‘pay or play’ provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have been delayed for one year.  This pushes the enforcement date of this provision from January … Continue Reading

After OIG Report, EHR Meaningful Use Audits Are Coming

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services released a report late last year claiming that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was not doing enough to verify that only eligible providers were receiving electronic health records (EHR) incentives. Until now, CMS relied on self-reported information to … Continue Reading

OIG Recommends Florida make $2.3M Repayment for Medicaid Overpayment Reporting Failures

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Inspector General, in a report dated March 2013, has recommended that the State of Florida repay approximately $2.3M in federal funds that represent the federal share of Medicaid overpayment collected for the audit period of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010, and a … Continue Reading
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