October, 2013

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Hospice of the Comforter Settles Whistleblower/Qui Tam Lawsuit

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 October 28, 2013, a Florida federal judge approved a $3 million settlement in a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging Hospice of the Comforter Inc. (HOTCI), defrauded Medicare. The judge shot down objections from the whistleblower (sometimes called a “relator” or “plaintiff” who argued that the settlement amount is unfair, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

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More Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Medical Facilities are Requiring Employees to Receive Flu Vaccine

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. We’re coming up on that time of year when stuffy noses and scratchy throats turn into the full-blown influenza virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu season usually runs from November 1 through March 31. With the flu season comes the debate over the legality of mandatory flu shots for health care professionals.

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration Finalizes Rule on Codes that Will Track Medical Devices

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 September 20, 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that companies will have to include unique device identification (UDI) codes on medical devices. These codes will provide a consistent way to identify medical devices, and therefore, should improve patient safety, according to the FDA.

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Rule Raising the Cost for Copies of Medical Records to be Tabled Until Next Florida Board of Medicine Meeting

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 The cost of copying medical records will stay where it is, for now. On October 3, 2013, the Florida Board of Medicine voted to not allow an increase to the cost of medical records requested by patients and others from physicians. The Board did vote to conduct research on the topic and discuss the issue again at the next Board meeting.

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The Evolution of Communication in Healthcare Settings

Healthcare communication has evolved from handwritten notes and paper charts to digital tools like EHRs, telemedicine, and AI-powered platforms. This blog explores how these advancements improve patient outcomes, streamline care delivery, and enhance provider collaboration. Learn about the role of mobile health (mHealth) apps, secure messaging, and social media in bridging communication gaps.

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Medicare Audit Claims University of Miami Hospital Owes Government $3.7 Million

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 The University of Miami Hospital allegedly owes Medicare $3.7 million. This is according to an audit report of the hospital’s billing practices that found the hospital allegedly overbilled the health care program in 2009 and 2010. The report was released on October 8, 2013, by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG).