More than three years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, many healthcare institutions continue to have difficulty fully staffing all their facilities. In response, both the Oregon and Washington legislatures enacted new laws that will change how hospitals plan for and
Health Law Insider
Developments and trends in the health care industry
Health Law Insider, published by Stoel Rives LLP, focuses on legal issues affecting healthcare providers, organizations, and businesses. The blog covers topics such as regulatory compliance for healthcare entities, including the Corporate Practice of Medicine doctrine and state-specific ownership restrictions. It addresses privacy and data protection concerns, including updates on privacy policies, consent management, and digital health technologies. The blog also discusses employment and credentialing risks in healthcare settings, telemedicine and digital primary care legal challenges, and hospital staffing regulations. Its content is aimed at helping healthcare professionals navigate evolving legal and regulatory landscapes to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.
Latest from Health Law Insider - Page 2
Oregon Health Authority Suspends COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers
On May 10, 2023, the Oregon Health Authority (“OHA”) announced that, effective May 11, it is suspending the statewide rule requiring that health care workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have an approved medical or religious exception. The…
New Proposed Part 2 Rules Aim for Greater HIPAA Alignment
Long before enactment of HIPAA, substance use disorder (“SUD”) treatment records have enjoyed confidentiality protections under 42 C.F.R. Part 2 (“Part 2”). Since HIPAA/HITECH and related regulations went into effect, SUD treatment providers that are subject to Part 2 (“Part…
Telehealth Safe Harbor Extended
High deductible health plan (“HDHP”) sponsors take note: the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2023 (“CAA23”) temporarily extends the flexibility for HDHPs to provide pre-deductible coverage of telehealth services without affecting the ability to contribute to a HDHP participant’s Health Savings Account…
CMS Issues Final Rule Authorizing Extrapolation as Part of RADV Audits
As a result of a new rule published on February 1, 2023, at 88 Fed. Reg. 6643, Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations soon will be facing enhanced exposure from Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) audits. Under the new rule, effective for…
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Beware!
Any provider who participates in the Medicaid program knows that it risks committing fraud if it bills twice for the same service. Unfortunately, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) that are also Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) have been incorrectly…
Is Any Pandemic Relief Still Available for Employee Benefit Plans?
Though much of U.S. government-sponsored pandemic relief has expired as the country approaches it third new year since its first reported cases of COVID-19, pandemic-related law changes exist that continue to impact employee benefit plans, and it is important that…
Department of Health (“DOH”) Has Issued Material Updates to Rules Governing Coordinated Quality Improvement Program (“CQIP”) Approval
Many health care entities took a “set it and forget it” approach to their CQIPs once the CQIPs were approved by DOH under regulations adopted in 2006. Beginning tomorrow, such entities will need to reconsider their approach. DOH has published…
Stoel Rives’ Health Care Attorneys Contribute to PBJ ‘Health Care of the Future’ Special Publication
Stoel Rives recently continued its long-time sponsorship of the Portland Business Journal Health Care of the Future awards. A special publication for the awards includes a collaboration by Stoel Rives’ attorneys Todd Hanchett, Tim Hatfield, Kelly Knivila and Sarah Oyer…
Department of Labor Narrows FFCRA Exemption for Health Care Providers
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently modified its guidance regarding leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). These changes pertain to the applicability of FFCRA leave to employees of health care providers. The changes – which take effect…