HIT Consultant

OCTOBER 18, 2021

The numbers lend credence to the numerous benefits touted throughout the public health emergency, most notably serving as a vital lifeline for high-risk patients, reducing the risk of exposure for staff, alleviating patient demand on facilities, and more. Identification to Inform Action.

Fraud 98

Fraud COVID-19 Public Health Medicare 98

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. Fraud is a concern for many stakeholders when it comes to the future of telehealth.

Fraud 174

Fraud COVID-19 Medicaid Medicaid 174

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. For example, the Department of Justice has aggressively pursued health care fraud claims against individuals and entities involved in non-compliant telehealth models.

Public Health 52

Public Health Compliance COVID-19 Licensing 52

Compliance Now

JANUARY 11, 2022

On January 10, the Department of Labor issued FAQs establishing new requirements for health plans to pay for over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests as preventive care. The new guidance, which applies to both fully insured and self-funded health plans, will go into effect for tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022.

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COVID-19 Fraud Public Health Compliance 100

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

The scheme, as outlined in court documents, exploited COVID-19-era amendments to telehealth restrictions. "We will continue to support the unprecedented COVID-19 public health effort by holding accountable people who use deceptive tactics to profit from the pandemic," he said. WHY IT MATTERS.

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COVID-19 Medicare Medicare Public Health 124

Provider Trust

AUGUST 9, 2023

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its latest 2023 Spring Semiannual Report to Congress, providing a comprehensive overview of its activities from October 2022 to March 2023. OIG continues to work tirelessly to identify instances of fraud, waste, and abuse and prosecute offenders.

Nursing Homes 52

Nursing Homes COVID-19 Fraud Medicaid 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. Notable Updates. Anticipated Termination of the PHE.

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COVID-19 Fraud Telemedicine Public Health 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. Concerns of fraud have dogged conversations around telehealth expansion beyond the public health emergency. WHY IT MATTERS.

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COVID-19 Telemedicine Fraud Public Health 138

YouCompli

AUGUST 2, 2022

This month’s article looks at COVID enforcements.?? ?. The Federal government spent unprecedented trillions of dollars throughout the COVID public health emergency (PHE). Remember when immunizations for COVID first became available? Different kinds of fraud and abuse have sprung up in relation to vaccination cards.

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COVID-19 Vaccine COVID-19 Nursing Homes Compliance Officers 52

MedTrainer

JULY 28, 2023

Earlier this year, an in-depth OIG investigation resulted in a six-day trial of a former Louisiana health clinic CEO , who was ultimately convicted of Medicaid fraud and sentenced to 82 months in federal prison. But what exactly is considered fraud, waste, and abuse? These complaints can trigger an audit. Risk Assessment.

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Fraud Compliance Medicaid Medicaid 98

Healthcare Law Blog

MAY 8, 2023

Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) is responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in federal health care programs. The majority of the advisory opinions involved arrangements that the OIG determined would generate prohibited remuneration, but presented minimal risk of fraud and abuse.

Fraud 52

Fraud COVID-19 Public Health Compliance 52

Provider Trust

JANUARY 25, 2024

This report helps HHS fulfill its mission to improve the health and well-being of Americans while also providing suggestions for how healthcare organizations can stay ahead of the curve to avoid and combat fraud, waste, and abuse. Unfortunately, Medicare Advantage programs are not exempt from instances of fraud, waste, and abuse.

Fraud 52

Fraud Medicaid Medicaid Medicare 52

HIPAA Journal

OCTOBER 6, 2022

The gang also stepped up attacks on the sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Victims included the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and the University of California San Francisco, which had files encrypted on the servers used by its School of Medicine. A ransom of $1.14 Vachon-Desjardins also agreed to forfeit $21.5

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Ransomware Fraud COVID-19 HIPAA 97

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JUNE 8, 2022

The Department of Health and Human Services once again (for the ninth time) extended the public health emergency this past month , stretching it beyond mid-July. But sooner or later, that provision of the Public Health Service Act will draw to a close. Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.

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US Department of Health and Human Services Compliance Overpayments Overpayment 179

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. One of the significant allegations in the case was performing medically unnecessary telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. National fraud takedown: $1.1

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COVID-19 Medicare Medicare Telemedicine 52

Healthcare IT Today

APRIL 23, 2020

The following is a guest article by Mark LaRow, CEO at Verato. While the federal government has relaxed some patient privacy rules in response to the coronavirus pandemic, there are still avoidable mistakes healthcare professionals make when it comes to protecting patient data.

Public Health 85

Public Health Governance COVID-19 Fraud 85

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

JANUARY 26, 2022

Telehealth and remote patient monitoring have proven themselves to be not only convenient but necessary tools for patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, telehealth providers can help reduce the chance for fraud, waste and abuse by implementing risk-management policies and mechanisms. Dr. Shawn P.

Fraud 148

Fraud Telemedicine COVID-19 Licensing 148

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

David Gray When President Joe Biden recently declared on national television that “the pandemic is over,” he offered a glimpse into the strategy his administration will be using on COVID-19 going forward: We’re ready to move on. What this means for telehealth and connected health policy.

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COVID-19 Public Health US Department of Health and Human Services Medicare 119

Health Care Law Brief

JUNE 24, 2022

This guidance is a direct response to a December 2021 Executive Order that tasked HHS with developing HIPAA guidance for telehealth services, with the stated goals of improving “patient experience and convenience” as the COVID-19 public health emergency subsides.

HIPAA 52

HIPAA Fraud Compliance COVID-19 52

Hall Render

APRIL 22, 2022

This nursing home chain reported the highest COVID death rate. Fields, Prax discuss DHSS split, other Alaska health care initiatives. Skagway officials weigh the future of the town’s health clinic and housing shortages. Banner Health to build new hospital in Buckeye. California weighing third COVID-19 ETS renewal.

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

Hall Render

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

ALABAMA American Family Care opens new health care center in Northeast Birmingham doctors secure $13.9M operating margin, $1B net gain halfway through its first year Illinois public health officials warn of “rising COVID-19 activity” St.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Nurses Nursing Homes Hospitals 40

Hall Render

MAY 20, 2022

AHA asks HHS to continue the public health emergency until conditions stabilize. Considerations for Social Determinants of Health Screening Design. COVID-19 public health emergency set to be extended. Covid-19 remains a public health emergency in US, administration says.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Nursing Homes Nurses Hospitals 40

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

David Gray When President Joe Biden recently declared on national television that “the pandemic is over,” he offered a glimpse into the strategy his administration will be using on COVID-19 going forward: We’re ready to move on. What this means for telehealth and connected health policy.

COVID-19 108

COVID-19 Public Health US Department of Health and Human Services Medicare 108

Hall Render

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

This has been a growing trend in health care enforcement, and health care fraud remained the leading source of all FCA cases in 2022. Over 77% of the funds recovered were related to the health care industry, which shows the federal government’s commitment to enforcing the FCA. Health Care Fraud Actions Medicaid.

Nursing Homes 40

Nursing Homes Fraud Medicaid Medicaid 40

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. Behavioral telehealth may also be referred to as telebehavioral health, telemental health, telepsychiatry, or telepsychology.

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COVID-19 Telemedicine Compliance Informed Consent 59

YouCompli

AUGUST 9, 2023

An opportunity to reframe, regroup, and refocus  Now that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) is well behind us, we have an opportunity to reframe patient expectations – and regroup and refocus on compliance-related patient care needs. Sign up for YouCompli’s weekly email if you haven’t already.

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Compliance COVID-19 ACA Fraud 52

Provider Trust

JUNE 1, 2022

Many of these trends evolved in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but show no signs of slowing despite a wavering rate of hospitalizations. Hospitals and health systems continue to find themselves desperately searching for available frontline nurses to relieve their exhausted staff and make up for vacant positions due to burnout.

Licensing 52

Licensing Nurses COVID-19 Compliance 52

Hall Render

FEBRUARY 4, 2022

Of that, $5 billion relates to health care fraud involving drug and medical device manufacturers, managed care providers, hospitals, pharmacies, hospice organizations, laboratories and physicians. Health Care Fraud Actions. That figure does not include even more funds recovered for state Medicaid programs.

Fraud 40

Fraud Governance Medicare Medicare 40

Hall Render

DECEMBER 6, 2022

Other facilities and health care clinics (including, but not limited to, federally qualified health centers) that have bona fide medical staffs may provide compensation under this exception on the same terms and conditions applied to hospitals. COVID-19 Blanket Stark Waivers Continue (for now). Practical Takeaways.

COVID-19 40

COVID-19 Hospitals Overpayments Overpayment 40

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. Oscar Health withdraws from 2 states.

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COVID-19 Nurses Nursing Homes Hospitals 40

Provider Trust

APRIL 26, 2023

There’s no doubt that frontline nurses have been warriors throughout the spread of COVID-19, providing critical care during an unstable and dangerous time. Any gaps in a compliance program could leave organizations susceptible to fraud and penalties if the supplemental workforce is not being closely monitored.

Licensing 52

Licensing Nurses Compliance COVID-19 52

Hall Render

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

CMS gives nursing homes a longer leash on staff COVID-19 vaccination requirements. UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Launch Program to Improve Mental Health Care for Children in Arkansas. California physician charged with $53M mail fraud and money laundering scheme. Colorado ends daily reporting of COVID-19 numbers.

US Department of Health and Human Services 40

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

Hall Render

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

4 Health Systems Join Provider-Created Data Collective to Improve Care. Full 4th Circuit to tackle Medicaid fraud standard under False Claims Act. These 10 states still have COVID emergency orders in place. Why asking about social determinants of health is so important. HHS expected to renew COVID-19 PHE for 11th time.

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

Health Law Advisor

MAY 3, 2022

On April 20, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a nationwide coordinated enforcement action targeting COVID-19-related fraud involving charges against 21 individuals across nine federal districts, and over $149 million in alleged false claims submitted to federal programs. [1]. 2] See id. [3] 2] See id. [3]

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COVID-19 Fraud COVID-19 Vaccine Medicaid 52

Health Law Advisor

APRIL 13, 2023

Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) updated its Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”), drafting 13 FAQs aimed at easing the transition from COVID-era flexibilities to the end of the Public Health Emergency (“PHE”) on May 11, 2023.

Public Health 52

Public Health Fraud COVID-19 Medicaid 52

Health Law Advisor

MARCH 1, 2023

In the era of abortion regulation and the wind-down of the COVID-19 public health emergency (“PHE”), new legislation in states such as Utah may be a sign of what is to come for online and telehealth prescribing.

Telemedicine 52

Telemedicine COVID-19 Fraud Licensing 52

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.

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Fraud COVID-19 Medicare Medicare 174