By Mike O’Brien bio Department of Labor enters final stage of update to ‘regular rate’ rule under FLSA. As we have discussed previously in these updates, the Department of Labor has been working to … [Read more...]
NEWS
Medical Marijuana: CBD Doesn’t Get You “High” But May Make You Fail a Drug Test
February 25, 2019
Testing for marijuana isn't as simple as it used to be thanks to the increased use of cannabidiol (CBD) products. Based on oils extracted from hemp plants, CBD contains little to no … [Read more...]
LEGISLATION
Compliance Alert: New Private-Pay Opioid Law Puts All Drug Addiction & Rehab Labs at Risk of Federal Prosecution
January 7, 2019
Recent federal legislation addressing the opioid crisis may have unintended consequences on the lab industry. The idea was to allow the feds to prosecute a certain kind of abuse banned by the … [Read more...]
ENFORCEMENT
CMS Takes 3 New Measures to Bolster Medicaid Program Integrity
August 20, 2018
With Medicaid spending on the rapid ascent, CMS unveiled a trio of new initiatives to bolster program integrity and make states more accountable for compliance with federal rules. 1. MLR Audits CMS … [Read more...]
GENETIC TESTING
Compliance Perspectives: Genetic Test Labs Face Growing Risk of Medical Malpractice Liability
August 6, 2018
Compliance managers of lab involved in the $3 billion consumer-based genetic testing business need to safeguard their flank against a growing legal risk: the threat of liability for malpractice. As … [Read more...]
LITIGATION
Are Genetic Testing Labs Liable for Medical Malpractice?
July 30, 2018
Consumer-based genetic testing has become a $3 billion business with a seemingly limitless future. But the industry is also facing a legal threat to future growth: malpractice liability. In the past … [Read more...]
DATA
Case of the Month: Patients Can’t Sue Labs for Privacy Breaches, Federal Court Confirms
July 13, 2018
The HIPAA law sets out civil and criminal penalties that can be imposed on labs (and other providers) that commit privacy violations. But one thing the HIPAA law does not specify is whether an … [Read more...]
COMPLIANCE
Medicaid Fraud: Enforcement Continues to Trend Down as Labs Drift Deeper into the Background
May 22, 2018
Last month, the OIG published its annual summary of Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MCFU) activity for FY 2017. Here is a summary of the key findings, trends and impact on labs. Background The 50 MCFUs … [Read more...]
INDUSTRY BUZZ
Arizona Fraud Suit Opens New Front in the Legal War against Theranos
February 22, 2017
Suing Theranos has become something of a cottage industry. And now a whole new front in the legal war appears ready to open: state consumer fraud lawsuits. The Arizona Attorney General's Office (AGO) … [Read more...]
ENFORCEMENT
Theranos Faces Potential Consumer Fraud Litigation
January 30, 2017
The Arizona Attorney General's Office (AGO) recently issued a request for proposal signaling a new legal battle for Theranos: state consumer fraud lawsuits. The AGO indicated in its request that it … [Read more...]
