In the latest episode of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, we unpack how to provide meaningful access to language assistance – a topic that’s not only legally relevant due to Section 1557 changes but vital to patient safety and...more
If you’re trying to strengthen your organization’s compliance program, one of the most important recommendations from the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) General Compliance Program Guidance is to integrate quality and...more
In today’s complex healthcare landscape, whistleblower claims are a major source of regulatory and legal risk for organizations. Last year saw a record number of “qui tam” claims filed under the False Claims Act. While...more
Delegated credentialing for telehealth providers has become commonplace since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) relaxed the Medicare Conditions of Participation for hospitals more than 10 years ago. Delegated...more
On February 25, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing federal agencies to “rapidly implement and enforce” federal healthcare price transparency regulations....more
Earlier this year, the US Department of Health & Human Services (“HHS”) released updated regulations governing the use and disclosure of substance use disorder records, referred to as “Part 2.” The Part 2 rules protect...more
Lack of transportation can be a significant barrier to accessing healthcare services. According to a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report, one in five patients report forgoing needed healthcare services due to lack of...more
In 2020, Congress passed the No Surprises Act (NSA) in an attempt to protect patients from surprise billing. Some sections of the NSA became effective January 1, 2022, while other sections are on hold until regulations are...more
As part of the COVID-19 relief legislation passed at the end of 2020, Congress adopted the “No Surprises Act” which prohibits out-of-network providers from balance billing patients for charges above the rates paid by their...more
With the growth in telemedicine, Critical Access Hospitals have a renewed interest in exploring delegated credentialing. Several years ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) modified the conditions of...more
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES Act) contains numerous regulatory and payment reforms aimed at bolstering the health care industry and its COVID-19 response efforts. Although far from complete, the...more
Although we remain hopeful that Iowa will be spared the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and health care resources will be sufficient to care for all patients in need, we encourage hospitals and hospital-based physicians to...more
On Friday, March 13, CMS issued new guidance for nursing homes in light of the spread of COVID-19. Nursing homes in all states are to restrict all visitors and non-essential health care personnel except for compassionate care...more
Q: Should we postpone elective surgeries?
A: Yes. On March 18, 2020, CMS released recommendations urging hospitals and physicians to postpone elective surgeries and services....more
Know when and how to contact your Public Health Department -
In this week’s webinars, the Iowa Department of Public Health detailed when providers should contact them. For example, the IDPH asked to be alerted when two or...more
As of this morning, Wednesday, February 26, we are fielding a number of questions from health care provider clients looking for COVID-19 specific resources for use in their emergency response preparedness.
Centers for...more
2/28/2020
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Health Care Providers ,
Hospitals ,
Infectious Diseases ,
New Guidance ,
Public Health ,
Risk Management ,
Workplace Safety ,
World Health Organization
Last month, former Governor Branstad signed House File 517 which significantly expands the rights of gun owners in Iowa. The legislation also allows Iowans to sue cities or counties that enact “gun-free zones.” ...more
In light of last week’s ransomware attacks overseas targeting hospitals and other providers, HHS is notifying providers in the United States of a warning issued by the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT)...more
The Office of Civil Rights for Health and Human Services is launching a nationwide review of the language access policies of critical access hospitals following a 10 state review in 2012. These reviews will include an...more