Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

"CMS and state efforts to evaluate and oversee telehealth are critical to meeting Medicaid enrollees' behavioral health needs and to safeguarding the Medicaid program from potential fraud, waste and abuse," wrote OIG officials. In response to COVID-19, patients have regularly turned to telemedicine for behavioral health needs.

Fraud 182

Fraud COVID-19 Medicaid Medicaid 182

Healthcare IT Today

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022

Since the COVID pandemic began, healthcare has never had further reach of accessibility. New types of fraud are continually emerging, and it’s also become harder to uncover with traditional approaches. The telehealth market is growing at a significant rate, and fraud is continuing to grow with it.

Fraud 69

Fraud COVID-19 Medicare Medicare 69

YouCompli

AUGUST 29, 2023

Fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) associated with telehealth services existed before COVID-19, but it significantly increased during the pandemic. The audit also identified 1,714 providers whose billing for telehealth services for about a half million beneficiaries during the first year of the pandemic posed a high risk to Medicare.

Fraud 52

Fraud Medicare Medicare COVID-19 52

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

APRIL 18, 2022

As outlined in the settlement agreement , PPOA is accused of using telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic to allegedly try and compensate for revenue lost from elective services. "Shortly thereafter, PPOA instructed medical providers to begin seeing patients by telemedicine twice a month." WHY IT MATTERS.

COVID-19 146

COVID-19 Telemedicine Fraud Public Health 146

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

MAY 13, 2022

The owners of a national telehealth company pleaded guilty this week to charges of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and to commit healthcare fraud. Law enforcement agencies have ramped up the pressure on telehealth fraud, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. " WHY IT MATTERS. ON THE RECORD.

Doctors 156

Doctors Fraud COVID-19 Medicare 156

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

MARCH 2, 2021

Policymakers and stakeholders emphasized the importance of balancing access to care with addressing concerns around fraud and overutilization. Mahoney said the restrictions inadvertently create a "donut hole" for Medicare Fee for Service patients, allowing the health system to offer care to everyone but them.

Fraud 198

Fraud Telemedicine COVID-19 Medicare 198

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

Department of Justice announced this week that a Florida laboratory owner had pleaded guilty for his role in a $73 million Medicare kickback scheme. According to the agency , the conspiracy involved paying a telemedicine company to arrange for doctors to authorize medically unnecessary genetic testing. WHY IT MATTERS. THE LARGER TREND.

COVID-19 132

COVID-19 Medicare Medicare Public Health 132

YouCompli

JULY 12, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic opened the door to greater use of telehealth services, and healthcare providers and consumers walked through it. In fact, Medicare beneficiaries used telehealth to receive 12 percent of their services during the first year of the pandemic. This was more than two in five Medicare beneficiaries.

COVID-19 52

COVID-19 Medicare Medicare Telemedicine 52

YouCompli

JULY 26, 2023

Fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) associated with telehealth services existed before COVID-19, but it significantly increased during the pandemic. The audit also identified 1,714 providers whose billing for telehealth services during the first year of the pandemic posed a high risk to Medicare. An audit by the U.S.

Fraud 52

Fraud Compliance Medicare Medicare 52

Health Law Advisor

MARCH 7, 2023

The proposed rules are more restrictive than the DEA emergency waivers under which providers conducted telemedicine prescribing for the last three years, but are less restrictive in comparison to the pre-PHE regulations applicable to telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances under the federal Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”).

Telemedicine 52

Telemedicine COVID-19 FDA Compliance 52

Healthcare Law Blog

DECEMBER 12, 2022

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“PHE”) led to a rapid expansion in the utilization of telehealth. Now, almost three years later, governmental entities have focused their attention on telehealth services and the potential for fraud and abuse. Mark Warner , and industry groups. Increased DOJ Activity.

COVID-19 52

COVID-19 Fraud Telemedicine Public Health 52

Healthcare IT Today

OCTOBER 22, 2020

The US Department of Justice has filed charges against 345 defendants, including more than 100 medical professionals, accusing them of engaging in healthcare fraud schemes. The […].

Fraud 77

Fraud COVID-19 Medicaid Medicaid 77

AIHC

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

Compliance Considerations for Best Outcomes Written in collaboration with the AIHC Volunteer Education Committee Delivering mental health services via telehealth has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine is considered to be under the umbrella of telehealth and refers specifically to clinical services.

COVID-19 59

COVID-19 Telemedicine Compliance Informed Consent 59

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

OCTOBER 6, 2020

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified telemedicine's potential to expand access to care, said the Congress members, it has also highlighted existing disparities in our system. " "Obviously we need the expansion of broadband," Eshoo added. Otherwise telehealth won't work.

COVID-19 160

COVID-19 Fraud Telemedicine Medicare 160

Health Care Law Brief

JUNE 2, 2022

The onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency (“PHE”) led to a surge in the use of telehealth by health care providers. Similarly, with respect to Medicare, Congress extended certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities for 151 days following the conclusion of the PHE, as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus appropriations bill.

Public Health 52

Public Health Compliance COVID-19 Licensing 52

Hall Render

MAY 13, 2022

FDA limits J&J COVID-19 vaccine due to rare blood clot risk. Travel nurses raced to help during Covid. Alabama hospital rationing medical supplies due to COVID disruptions in China. Alabama sees bump in COVID-19 cases, state health department monitoring. Covid-19 continues climbing in state.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Nurses Nursing Homes Hospitals 40

Hall Render

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

On September 2, 2022, the Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”) published a study assessing potential Medicare program integrity risks related to the proliferation of telehealth services during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. million in Medicare fee-for-service payments. Inspector General Christi A.

Telemedicine 40

Telemedicine Fraud Medicare Medicare 40

Healthcare Law Blog

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

Congress’s expansion of access to telehealth takes steps to ensure continuity of care for Medicare beneficiaries and provides regulators with additional time to determine which flexibilities will become permanent, indicating a success for the telehealth industry as well as a reminder that there is more legislation to come.

Electronic Medical Records 52

Electronic Medical Records Medicare Medicare Health Outcomes 52

Hall Render

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

Full 4th Circuit to tackle Medicaid fraud standard under False Claims Act. House passes reform to Medicare Advantage prior authorizations. These 10 states still have COVID emergency orders in place. HHS expected to renew COVID-19 PHE for 11th time. Covid cases remain low in Alaska.

US Department of Health and Human Services 40

US Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Nurses Nursing Homes 40

Hall Render

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

AMA scrutinizes lack of competition, consumer harms in Medicare Advantage plans. CMS gives nursing homes a longer leash on staff COVID-19 vaccination requirements. CMS makes big changes to Medicare Shared Savings Program. 2 orthopedic hospitals facing Medicare readmission penalties. CMS bumps ASC payments to 3.8

US Department of Health and Human Services 40

US Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Nurses Nursing Homes 40

Healthcare Law Today

DECEMBER 22, 2022

Many of the telehealth flexibilities that became popular with both patients and clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic will expire when the public health emergency (PHE) ends. The alert outlines seven characteristics that could suggest any given arrangement that poses a risk of fraud or abuse.

Telemedicine 119

Telemedicine Fraud Doctors COVID-19 119

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

NOVEMBER 22, 2021

A survey put forward by the national healthcare, life science and workforce management law firm Epstein Becker Green found that telemental health services have increased in quantity this year – as have fraud-related enforcement actions at the state and federal levels. For instance, it cited efforts this year from the U.S. ON THE RECORD.

Fraud 183

Fraud COVID-19 Medicare Medicare 183

Hall Render

JANUARY 11, 2023

For example, reimbursement under Medicare and Medicaid for certain telemedicine services was significantly increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. State law – App developers should also be mindful of the numerous state laws that may apply to the provision of health services through their apps.

Compliance 40

Compliance HIPAA FDA Due Diligence 40

Hall Render

MAY 10, 2024

Million CALIFORNIA California hospital dismisses CEO California physician pleads guilty to $2.5M million expansion ‘Very, very unusual.’ Million CALIFORNIA California hospital dismisses CEO California physician pleads guilty to $2.5M million expansion ‘Very, very unusual.’ million expansion ‘Very, very unusual.’

Nursing Homes 40

Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals Medicaid 40

Healthcare Law Blog

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare coverage expanded to include a vast arsenal of tools that help patients access medical services while keeping patients and practitioners safe. As a result of these efforts, the use of telehealth and telemedicine exploded in 2020 according to an HHS Study.

Medicare 52

Medicare Medicare COVID-19 Fraud 52

Hall Render

JULY 28, 2023

million for rural hospital expansion Hospices in Arizona & other states receive scrutiny over concerns of fraud, waste & abuse Phoenix Children’s Building New 44,000-Square Foot Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Firefighters oppose Banner’s planned $400M hospital There’s a growing nurse shortage in Arizona.

US Department of Health and Human Services 40

US Department of Health and Human Services Nurses Nursing Homes Hospitals 40

Hall Render

JUNE 30, 2023

for physician referral scheme In Los Angeles, hospital CEO pay could be capped Kaiser Permanente ratings affirmed amid healthy financial profile Nurses vote ‘no confidence’ in California hospital administration, board Nursing facility, management company settle physician kickback allegations for $3.8M

US Department of Health and Human Services 40

US Department of Health and Human Services Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals 40

Hall Render

JULY 22, 2022

CMS releases Medicare OPPS and ASC proposed rule. Covid-19 public health emergency extended in the US. Telemedicine exec among 36 charged in $1.2B cancer, cardio lab fraud. Health systems eye perks of M&A post-COVID shock. Omicron variant fueling uptick in Alabama COVID-19 hospitalizations.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals 40

Hall Render

DECEMBER 1, 2023

fraud scheme Nursing home must face vaccine-related wrongful firing claim, but not $2M retaliation accusations Transgender woman sues employer, Harvard Pilgrim for discrimination MICHIGAN 48-unit senior housing development could go up next to Vicksburg Halls in Marysville Can ads help a Michigan nursing home fix a staffing crisis?

Nursing Homes 40

Nursing Homes Nurses COVID-19 Ransomware 40

Hall Render

AUGUST 12, 2022

Major nursing home association urges COVID emergency extension, revised guidance. Kay Ivey asks Biden to remove COVID vaccine requirement for international travelers. Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: State reports declining cases. California monkeypox response is bumpy, but builds on some lessons from COVID.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Nurses Nursing Homes Hospitals 40

Hall Render

MAY 19, 2023

to Partners The federal COVID-19 emergency is ending. Supplemental Grant for Rural Health Programs UAMS to Study Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Breast Cancer Treatment Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary Donates $1.4 These groups are trying to change that.

Nurses 40

Nurses COVID-19 Hospitals Nursing Homes 40

Hall Render

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

Alabama’s COVID positivity rate, hospitalizations drop considerably. Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: State reports significant decrease in cases, hospitalizations. As COVID rates continue decline in Alaska, how close are we to end of pandemic? UAMS Health Opens Long COVID-19 Clinic in Fayetteville. CALIFORNIA.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Nurses Nursing Homes Hospitals 40

Healthcare Law Blog

MARCH 3, 2023

The once-novel medium of telehealth surged onto the stage as a common sense solution to the COVID-19 pandemic. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Special Fraud Alert issued in July 2022, which urged practitioners to exercise caution when entering telemedicine arrangements. [11]

Fraud 52

Fraud Nurses Telemedicine COVID-19 52

Hall Render

DECEMBER 22, 2023

fraud scheme UConn Health is in financial trouble. health care spending hits $4.5 approval for obstetrics services in Prince George’s County Maryland health system gets state OK for $300M labor, delivery unit Maryland hospitals must pay back millions to poor patients.

Nursing Homes 40

Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals COVID-19 40

Hall Render

APRIL 1, 2022

Hospital, long-term care groups again petition Becerra to extend COVID-19 public health emergency. Alaska’s top doctor on living with COVID in the post-restriction era. Alaska again leads all states in COVID-19 case rate; 559 new cases reported in past 2 days. Hospital board meets with SEARHC leadership.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 US Department of Health and Human Services Nursing Homes Nurses 40

Hall Render

OCTOBER 27, 2023

Ransomware attacks against hospitals put patients’ lives at risk, researchers say States, FTC continue to target noncompetes: 3 updates The best hospital in each state, per Newsweek What to know about Stark law’s $9.2M

US Department of Health and Human Services 40

US Department of Health and Human Services Nurses Nursing Homes Hospitals 40

Hall Render

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Vincent Partners With Park Plaza Mall on Community Health Programs Former Arkansas Medical Board Chair Brian Hyatt Arrested for Medicaid Fraud New Provider in Arkansas Focuses on No-Rush Health Care Walker Foundation Pledges $1M to UAMS Radiation Oncology Center Five nonprofits to split $5.9 health care startup Ounce raises $5.2M

Nurses 40

Nurses Hospitals Nursing Homes Doctors 40