April, 2012

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The Greatest Health Advances that Changed our Lives in the Past Century: Part 2

The Health Law Firm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. In the last century, major changes in health care and technology, as well as simple progress in such innocuous conveniences such as public water fountains, have dramatically improved the quality of life. These have increased the average life expectancy in the United States from 47 years in 1900 to 78 years in 2011 almost doubling life expectancies.

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The Greatest Health Advances that Changed our Lives in the Past Century: Part 1

The Health Law Firm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. In the last century, major changes in health care and technology, as well as simple progress in such innocuous conveniences such as public water fountains, have dramatically improved the quality of life. These have increased the average life expectancy in the United States from 47 years in 1900 to 78 years in 2011 almost doubling life expectancies.

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Many Common Medical Tests Announced Unnecessary by Medical Specialty Associations: Will Litigation Follow?

The Health Law Firm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. On April 4, 2012, nine different medical specialty groups each released its list of the top five medical tests and procedures that are overused and often unnecessary. Each list also includes information about when a test or treatment may be appropriate based on clinical evidence and guidelines.

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U.S. Appeals Court Overturns 2010 District Ruling for $44.9 Million in Tuomey

The Health Law Firm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. Tuomey Reversed. On March 30, 2012, the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a federal district judge's 2010 decision for Tuomey Healthcare System. ( US ex rel. Drakeford v. Tuomey Health. Sys., Inc. , 4th Cir., No. 10-1819 (Mar. 30, 2012) ) The lower court's decision ordered Toumey Healthcare System to pay $44.9 million for allegedly violating the Stark Law. ( 42 USC. § 1395nn ) The appeal

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3 Reasons to Retire Pagers from Healthcare Settings

Let's discuss the trusty pager—an old favorite that’s losing its shine in hospitals and clinics. While once a staple in hospitals and clinics, pagers now present significant limitations that hinder rather than facilitate communication among healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals are constantly on the move, and they need communication tools that can keep up with their fast-paced lives.

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Medicare Program Exclusion Can have Devastating and Far-reaching Effects

The Health Law Firm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. Few health care practitioners really understand the significance that being excluded from the Medicare Program may have. Exclusion usually occurs as a direct result of disciplinary action being taken by the state board of medicine, board of nursing, board of psychology, board of pharmacy or other health care licensing entity.

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New Medicare Administrative Carrier for Jurisdiction 12: Highmark Medicare Services Acquired by Diversified Service Options, Inc.

The Health Law Firm

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. Diversified Service Options (DSO) acquired Highmark Medicare Services (Highmark) on January 1, 2012. DSO is a holding company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. (BCBS Florida). Highmark had the contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to be the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), formerly known as a "Carrier" or "Fiscal Interm

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What are the Differences Among a Home Health Agency, a Nurse Registry and a Homemaker and Companion Services Provider in Florida?

The Health Law Firm

There are important distinctions in the licensure requirements, the insurance requirements and the types of services that can be provided by home health agencies, nurse registries and homemaker and companion organizations in Florida. The owners and operators of such businesses must should be aware of these. Diligence must be taken to ensure that employees of one type of provider do not deliver services to clients/patients that are not authorized by the company's license.

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The DEA Targets Florida Walgreens Pharmacies, Issues Inspection Warrants

The Health Law Firm

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is continuing to attack pharmacies, including the largest pharmacy chains, with the recent investigation of a Walgreens distribution center and six Walgreens pharmacy stores in Florida. On Wednesday, April 4, 2012, the DEA issued inspection warrants to the Florida Walgreens distribution center and six pharmacies.

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No Good Deed Goes Unpunished for Physicians Who Extend "Professional Courtesy" or Waive Co-pays: Medicare Prohibits Waiver of Co-pays and Deductibles

The Health Law Firm

In today's heavily regulated health care environment there seems to be little room for the time-honored tradition of professional courtesy. Practiced for hundreds of years, professional courtesy originally referred to the provision of health care to physician colleagues or their families free of charge or at a reduced rate. Many argue, rightfully so, that the Hippocratic Oath even requires this for the patient who is a physician and his or her family.

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15 Modern Use Cases for Enterprise Business Intelligence

Large enterprises face unique challenges in optimizing their Business Intelligence (BI) output due to the sheer scale and complexity of their operations. Unlike smaller organizations, where basic BI features and simple dashboards might suffice, enterprises must manage vast amounts of data from diverse sources. What are the top modern BI use cases for enterprise businesses to help you get a leg up on the competition?

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Checklist on What to Do When Notified of a ZPIC or Medicare Audit and Site Visit - Part 2

The Health Law Firm

When a physician, medical group or other healthcare provider receives a notice of an audit and site visit from Medicare, the Medicare Administrative Carrier (MAC) or the Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC), things happen fast with little opportunity to prepare. Hopefully this checklist will help you to prepare for the on-site visit that will shortly follow.