Compliance & Legal
Hospitals have been acquiring physician practices and have been doing so for years, but a case resting in the hands of a federal judge in Boise is proving to be a "banner" case for these sorts of mergers and acquisitions.
In 2010, five hospitals in New York City implemented a communication-and-resolution program in general surgery. Its intent was to improve the nature of hospital discussions of medical errors with patients.
Physicians may be more willing to accept policy changes that improve access to care and reduce costs if they can obtain some relief from malpractice liability, suggested the researchers of an article published in the January issue of Health Affairs.
A recent article on abuse of resident trust funds in nursing homes indicates more oversight of these funds is needed, but the industry says the processes for managing trust funds are sufficient.
A report released Nov. 29 by the Office of Inspector General calls for random audits of doctors and hospitals prior to payout through the meaningful use EHR incentive program, to ensure they have qualified. It is also calling for EHR certification changes to allow for reporting of yes/no measures.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will need to place a lot of emphasis on implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the coming year, according to the Office of Inspector General's (OIG) annual summary of management and performance challenges facing the agency, released this week.
More than half of all Medicare claims denial appeals are overturned by administrative law judges according to a recent report by the Office of Inspector General.
Litigation or threatened litigation in the senior care space is an ever-present facet of running a senior care business. An online panel discussion on Nov. 8 addressed ways in which boards of senior care businesses can avoid, or at least manage, legal trouble.
Short-term, contract nurses could be the key to alleviating the projected nationwide nursing shortage, according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs. Despite the promising study results, not all industry experts agree that contract nurses are the answer.
At the same time the government is encouraging healthcare providers, doctors and insurance companies to digitize healthcare information, the landscape for attacking that info is increasing dramatically. One industry insider provides seven tips for how to prevent a data breach.