Although the Biden administration has signaled its intention to revisit just about every healthcare regulatory initiative of its predecessor, one enforcement undertaking seems to be continuing … [Read more...]
Enforcement Trends:
New Administration Continues OCR HIPAA Right of Access Initiative
February 22, 2021
Lab Safety
Statistics Suggest OSHA Has Been Lax in Enforcing Workplace COVID-19 Safety
February 7, 2021
As COVID-19 cases surge, going to work has become a risky proposition, especially for employees of labs, hospitals and other health care facilities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration … [Read more...]
Enforcement Trends: Has OSHA Done Enough to Enforce COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules?
February 4, 2021
Even after the election and swearing in of the new President, federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic remains a politically charged issue. One bone of contention involves whether OSHA has … [Read more...]
Labs In Court
Pennsylvania Medical Assistants Confess to Participating in Genetic Test Fraud Scheme
November 9, 2020
Case: Federal and state enforcers are closing in on a Pennsylvania primary care physician who allegedly ripped off Medicare for genetic tests to the tune of $755,241. At the center of the scheme is … [Read more...]
Enforcement Trends
Labs Caught Up in Massive National Telemedicine Takedown
October 29, 2020
So much for the pandemic’s dulling the momentum of federal fraud enforcement. Dubbed “Operation Rubber Stamp,” the new nationwide enforcement action revealed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on … [Read more...]
Labs in Court
OSHA Fines New Jersey Hospital for Coronavirus Respiratory Protection Violations
October 8, 2020
Case: OSHA is proposing to fine the hospital $9,639 for two serious violations: i. Failure to fit test tight-fitting respirators face piece respirators on employees required to use them; and ii. Not … [Read more...]
Enforcement Trends
Granston Memo Whistleblower Dismissals May Be Tougher than DOJ Thought
August 29, 2020
In 2018, the Justice Department sent an internal memorandum ordering US Attorneys to aggressively seek to dismiss False Claims Act (FCA) whistleblower qui tam lawsuits that lack merit or don’t serve … [Read more...]
Enforcement Trends
After 5 Down Years, Federal Enforcement ROI Increases—But Just a Tad
August 12, 2020
Like any other business, federal health care fraud law enforcement has to account for its return on investment (ROI). And for the previous six years, that ROI had been in steady decline. But ROI … [Read more...]
Brief Your CEO
The 18 Things You Can Do for COVID-19 that You Can’t Do for Other Testing
June 1, 2020
Blanket Waivers relaxing kickback law restrictions standing in the way of desperately needed COVID-19 tests continue to play a crucial role in the federal government’s response to the Public Health … [Read more...]
Compliance Corner
What to Do If Stark Is Keeping You from Providing Emergency COVID-19 Testing
March 30, 2020
Scenario: A local physician group wants to team up with your lab to provide COVID-19 testing for its Medicare, Medicaid and private pay patients. Although the deal would also be lucrative, the primary … [Read more...]
