President Trump issued an Executive Order on August 3, 2020 that will continue the momentum for telehealth in rural areas.
COVID-19 update: Trump issues Telehealth Executive Order
Court of Appeals upholds 340B Reductions
On Friday July 31, 2020 the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed the federal district court and permitted reimbursement cuts for drugs purchased through the 340B Drug Discount Program.
CMS publishes FY 2021 Skilled Nursing Facility, Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital, and Hospice Medicare Payment final rules
All three of these Medicare payment final rules will become effective on October 1, 2020.
Deputy Associate Attorney General Stephen Cox Addresses DOJ’s False Claims Act Enforcement Priorities and Regulatory Reforms
On January 27, Deputy Associate Attorney General Stephen Cox delivered keynote remarks on the False Claims Act (FCA) at the 2020 Advanced Forum on False Claims and Qui Tam Enforcement. Mr. Cox’s remarks described the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) ongoing
DOJ issues guidance on cooperation credit in FCA investigations
On May 7, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) released an update to its previous 2017 guidance (“Updated Guidance”) outlining when the government will award cooperation credit to defendants in False Claims Act (“FCA”) investigations. Under the Updated Guidance, set forth at Justice Manual Section 4-4.112, defendants can earn cooperation credit in FCA cases in three primary ways.
Ontario legislature clarifies mandatory privacy breach reporting requirements under the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act
In Ontario, the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)[1] governs the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information within the health sector. The term “personal health information” is broadly defined in PHIPA and includes identifying information which is
DOJ charges 412 individuals in largest healthcare fraud takedown in US history
On Thursday, the DOJ announced charges against 412 individuals for their alleged participation in healthcare fraud schemes involving approximately $1.3 billion in false billings. This marks the largest national healthcare fraud takedown in U.S. history—topping the DOJ’s announcement of charges
Medical assistance in dying in Canada: one year later
Since the Canadian federal government introduced legislation governing medical assistance in dying (“MAiD”), the provinces and territories, which are responsible for the delivery of health care services in Canada, have adopted a variety of processes and procedures to deal with
No monetary penalties for manufacturer providing physicians with free vaccine refrigeration storage system
In an Advisory Opinion issued on September 23, 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) announced that it would not impose administrative sanctions against the manufacturer of a vaccine refrigeration system (the “Requestor”) for providing the devices to physicians without charge. This development comes at a critical time when many are focused on creatively addressing the risks posed by infectious diseases and viruses like Zika.
Withdrawal of life support from child in his best interests (UK)
The mother of a 2-year old child who suffered grave injuries in a road traffic accident appealed against the court order obtained by the grandmother to withdraw all respiration and to treat the child only with pain relief, sedation and nursing as appropriate.