In a development that may – understandably – have been overlooked by many heading into Memorial Day weekend, on May 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Fact Sheet on Direct Liability of Business Associates under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The Fact Sheet provides an important reminder to covered entities, business associates, and their counselors regarding the circumstances in which…

In a unanimous decision issued on May 13, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court sought to resolve lingering confusion over the statute of limitations under the False Claims Act (FCA) for qui tam suits in which the federal government declines to intervene. In Cochise Consultancy, Inc. v. United States Ex Rel. Hunt, the Court held that a relator’s claim may be brought within 3 years after the government was made aware of underlying material claims, even…

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a final rule, to be published on May 23, 2019, amending the Medicare Advantage program (Part C) and Prescription Drug Benefit program (Part D) regulations. According to CMS, the purpose of the rule is to lower drug prices and reduce out-of-pocket expenses in the Medicare Advantage and Part D drug programs. The major provisions are: Protected classes. The final rule contains an exception to the…

On May 7, 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) provided important new guidance addressing cooperation credit that may be available to defendants in False Claims Act (FCA) investigations (Guidance).  The Guidance – issued in the form of an update to DOJ’s Justice Manual – explains how defendants in an FCA investigation may be awarded credit by DOJ for certain disclosures, cooperation, and remedial activities. The Guidance is intended to incentivize companies and individuals to…

On May 10, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published a Final Rule on drug pricing transparency in consumer advertisements. The new rule requires direct-to-consumer (DTC) television advertisements to include the list price of prescription drugs and biological products distributed in the US that are reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid, whether directly or indirectly.…

On April 26, 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Notification of Enforcement Discretion (Notice) regarding imposition of Civil Money Penalties (CMPs) under HIPAA. In the Notice, HHS announces that it has revisited its prior interpretation of the standards for assessment of CMPs under the HITECH Act, and is exercising its discretion to reduce the maximum amount of CMPs that may be assessed annually for HIPAA violations based on culpability.…