Healthcare Provider Marketing and Management Arrangements
Healthcare providers interested in entering into marketing or management arrangements with companies must structure these arrangements in such a way that they don’t violate any federal or Florida healthcare laws. Providers should avoid entering into any marketing and management arrangements, which gives the impression that they offered, paid, or solicited cash, or any other type of remuneration in exchange for referring patients to that provider. Failure to do so may result in an Anti-Kickback violation if the arrangement does not fit squarely within an Ant-Kickback Statute Safe Harbor. Safe harbors that might be available to a healthcare provider, depending on the terms...
Medicare Audit by Zone Program Integrity Contractor
If you’re reading this article it’s probably because you or your medical office has received a letter from a Zone Program Integrity Contractor (“ZPIC”) for The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) alleging that you may have improperly billed Medicare for the provision Medicare Services to your patients. What is a ZPIC? There are seven ZPIC zones. It is possible for providers to hear from more than one ZPIC since the seven ZPICs focus on different aspects of the Medicare program. ZPIC Zone 7 includes Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in its geographic scope. The Zone 7 –...
Healthcare is the Next Cryptocurrency Frontier
What is Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is a virtual currency designed to work as a medium of exchange. It uses cryptography to secure and verify transactions as well as to control the creation of new units of a particular cryptocurrency. Essentially, cryptocurrencies are limited entries in a database that no one can change unless specific conditions are fulfilled. Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency on the market but there are well over 1000 other “altcoins” in existence. The value of each cryptocurrency is largely speculative similar to stocks on an index. It has no intrinsic value or legal tender status and is only...
Does Blockchain Belong in Healthcare?
Healthcare providers have been slow to implement blockchain into their practice. Providers are hesitant due to: (1) unfamiliarity with this technology and how it works; (2) some don’t see its practical application to healthcare; (3) others are employing the wait and see approach to determine if it is financially rewarding; and (4) some are put off by the lack of regulation, which could expose their patient records to cybertheft. What is Blockchain? In 2009, blockchain stormed on the scene as the foundation for swapping digital currency. Blockchain is a permanent record of online transactions or exchanges that are logged publicly and in...
Florida Pharmacists Must Use E-FORCSE To Combat Opioid Abuse
By: Saamia Shaikh, Esq., OMS-III In 2011, Florida legislator’s enacted the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, also known as, the Electronic-Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substances Evaluation (“E-FORCSE”). The program has legally expanded the role of dispensing pharmacists by requiring them to report the distribution of controlled substances. E-FORCSE requires dispensers of controlled substances to report, within seven days, information regarding the prescriber and the patient for any prescription filled for controlled substances. Specifically, a patient’s demographic information, DOB, gender, as well as the prescriber’s demographic information, DEA number, NPI number, and license number must be reported. Additionally, dispensing information such as the...
Negotiating Malpractice Insurance in Physician Employment Contracts
Medical Malpractice Insurance is an essential part of any physician’s practice. According to the American College of Physicians, “Medical Malpractice” insurance is a specialized type of professional liability insurance that covers physician liability arising from disputed services that result in a patient’s injury or death. Injuries may present themselves immediately or at some time in the future. Malpractice insurance requirements will vary depending upon several factors including, but, not limited to how long you have been practicing, the size of your practice, specialty, prior claims filed against you, etc. Many providers receive their malpractice insurance through their hospital employer while...
Which Business Structure is Best for my Medical Practice?
Which Business Structure is Best for my Medical Practice? Over the years many providers have come to my office expressing an interest in owning a medical practice, healthcare facility, or healthcare business. During these meetings, it is important to obtain pertinent background information about the healthcare entity followed by a discussion about some of the regulatory and licensing issues that may arise. Equally important is determining how the healthcare entity should be structured for asset protection and tax purposes. A corporate healthcare attorney like myself can determine whether it is best for you to create a corporation, LLC, or an LLP....
Florida Senate Bill 8-A’s Effect on Physicians’ Medical Marijuana Practices
Background President Trump he has not taken a firm stance publicly in favor of or opposed to the use of medical marijuana. Currently, he intends to leave the medical marijuana issue up to the individual states. The 2016 fiscal year omnibus appropriations bill appears to be in line with Trump as it contains language prohibiting the Department of Justice from meddling in state medical marijuana laws. According to a Department of Health report, the state registry now has 16,614 patients. A recent state revenue impact study projects that by 2022 there will be approximately 472,000 medical marijuana patients and $542 million in sales. Many activists expect...
Seeing Through the Smoke of Florida’s Medical Marijuana Industry
As you may be aware, On November 8, 2016, Florida voters approved the use of Medical Marijuana in a constitutional ballot initiative called Amendment 2. This Amendment approved the use of Medical Marijuana in treatment for patients who suffer from specific debilitating medical conditions. These debilitating medical conditions include, but, are not limited to, cancer, AIDS, PTSD, glaucoma, Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy, and Crohn’s disease. Physicians may also prescribe Medical Marijuana for “other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class” as those mentioned above and “for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh...
What to Look for When Negotiating Physician Employment Agreements
Physicians employed by hospitals, group practices, or any other type of healthcare facility usually enter into the business relationship by signing a Physician Employment Agreement unless the physician is an independent contractor. At Jones Health Law, we instruct all of our physician clients to carefully review their Physician Employment Agreement prior to signing. Many physicians believe that they can’t negotiate the contract. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Every section of the contract can be negotiated by your attorney. If you don’t approve of some of the terms contained therein you have to power to ask your prospective employer to change that provision...