In apparent acknowledgement that HIPAA violation enforcement has been less than aggressive so far, a government adviser said that HIPAA audits would soon produce swift results — and penalties, when appropriate.
Court: SNFs allowed to fight delayed Medicaid payments
By
Amy Novotney
Sep 06, 2017
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled in August that 10 operators of Illinois long-term care facilities can move forward with a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Healthcare and...
Ruling affirms OBRA limits
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 01, 2013
A federal court recently ruled in favor of a Pennsylvania long-term care facility, upholding an argument that individuals cannot bring lawsuits under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
Court: A missing arbitration agreement still enforceable
By
Sep 05, 2016
An Indiana nursing home that “inexplicably” doesn’t have a copy of a former resident’s arbitration agreement can still compel arbitration, a state court ruled in July.
Device thefts main source of HIPAA rifts
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 01, 2014
Nearly 15 million individuals were affected by more than 450 large-scale health data breaches in 2010 and 2011, investigators said in a recent report to Congress. The theft of devices containing protected...
House committee approves tort reform proposal — again
By
Brett Bakshis
Apr 01, 2011
House Republicans recently moved one step closer to passing a key tort reform bill. Following an 18-15 vote in the House Judiciary Committee, the “Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare...
As the legal expert … about union organizing
By
John Durso
Feb 01, 2015
I have heard that an employee is starting to organize unionization efforts on her Facebook page. What can I do?
State top court rules against enforcing arbitration clauses
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 05, 2015
The Kentucky Supreme Court has added a significant decision to the body of rulings concerning nursing home pre-dispute arbitration agreements.
Hospice beneficiaries at a draw with HHS
By
Elizabeth Newman
Sep 01, 2012
What hospice services will pay for, and whether beneficiaries receive correct information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, converged as issues in court this summer.
SNF settles fraud, neglect suit for $28M
By
Aug 06, 2016
A New York skilled nursing facility has agreed to pay $28 million and implement reforms to settle a lawsuit alleging fraud, neglect and criminal conduct by the facility’s owners and staff.