By: Chase Howard
With 2020 coming to a close, and COVID-19 still very much a concern for businesses, there are a number of things for healthcare businesses and practices to consider before the New Year.
Here’s a list of items to review:
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Strategies for Successful Implementation of Mandatory Vaccine Policy for Your Workforce (Part 1)
by admin on November 1, 2020 No comments
By: Karen Davila
Can an employer require employees to be vaccinated against influenza? And, a COVID-19 vaccine likely will be approved in the not-to-distant future. What about that vaccine when it becomes available? These are questions with which many organizations are grappling today. With the confluence of what is expected to be a very active influenza season and the ongoing and unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, employers are contemplating how best to protect their workforce and clients/customers/patients.
One of the most effective ways to achieve this is a mandatory vaccine policy, but is that right for your organization? Mandatory vaccination programs are not new. Depending on your business, a mandatory vaccine policy may be the industry norm. What factors should you consider? What processes would you need to develop to address exceptions?
CAN YOUR BUSINESS MANDATE VACCINATIONS?
In general the answer is yes. Although federal and state laws may vary, such programs are permissible provided any mandatory vaccination policy incorporates processes to address the required exceptions: medical accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and religious accommodations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).
read moreFlorida Healthcare Law Firm Continues Team Expansion with Addition of Dean Viskovich, Laboratory Compliance & Operations Specialist
by admin on October 6, 2020 No comments
Florida Healthcare Law Firm in Delray Beach, FL has exceeded their 2020 growth plans with the fourth hire this year, seasoned attorney Dean Viskovich, aka “The Lab Guy”. Dean will play an essential role representing healthcare businesses and providers with respect to regulatory compliance matters and is uniquely experienced on issues pertaining to laboratory compliance, as well as laboratory operations. Dean has over 25 years’ experience in the health law space and is licensed in both Florida and New York.
Florida Healthcare Law Firm has announced that they have added Dean Viskovich, “The Lab Guy,” to the team. Dean brings a wealth of healthcare business expertise working on the inside in settings such as laboratories and health insurance companies. Dean has served as a trial attorney on behalf of insurance companies and healthcare providers. He specializes in laboratory compliance and offers education and training programs geared at OIG compliance. Dean’s extensive experience in laboratory compliance and operations includes Stark, Anti-Kickback, Fraudulent Claims Act, Safe Harbor and State regulatory provisions. Additional areas of expertise include billing, reimbursement, charge-master review, CPT, ICD-10, HCPC coding and audits.
read morePatient Brokering & Money Laundering: Bieda Arrests Raise Serious Issues
by admin on September 1, 2020 No comments
Three family members involved in owning an addiction treatment center and/or a toxicology lab were charged in July with patient brokering and money laundering in an alleged scheme involving roughly $2 Million. The allegations arise out of a complex corporate enterprise involving at least four companies and some common ownership between the treatment center and lab. While it’s premature to assume that the defendants did anything illegal, there are some interesting things in this case:
Complexity Invites Suspicion. Every business owner in the addiction treatment and toxicology lab space knows three things: (1) it’s extremely regulated, (2) law enforcement has an especially sharpened focus on these industries, and (3) insurance companies are very suspect of any situation involving either industry, especially when there is any common ownership. So why then would one construct an enterprise that even “looks” complex or tricky? It intensifies suspicion in an already highly scrutinized business space. This is clearly one of the points of focus in this case. There’s an old saying woven into the mind of every experienced healthcare lawyer: if something can’t be done directly, it can’t be done indirectly. Time will tell if anything in this case was wrong or if there are any good reasons for the corporate structure, but the complexity of the corporate structure certainly invites suspicion.
read moreWebinar | Impact of the new pelvic exam law on Florida medical practices
by admin on August 19, 2020 No commentsAs of July 1, 2020, all Florida health care providers, and providers in training, are now required to obtain written consent from their patients (or their legal representatives) before performing a pelvic exam. In this webinar, attorney Dave Davidson will cover who the law does and does not apply to, the argument of patient-physician relationship intrusion and more clarity on the presented bill.
Prepping Your Dental Practice for Sale
by admin on June 10, 2020 No comments
By: Chase Howard
Thinking About Selling Your Practice? Preparation is key and the difference between a successful sale and seller’s regret.
Step 1: Call Your Financial Planner
- Be sure that you can afford to leave the business
- Most buyers will require a comprehensive non-compete and you should be certain that you are financially prepared to retire, sell, or move before signing any restrictions.
- You will also want to ensure that you are planning for the income you are about to receive. Are there vehicles in place or options that are best to ensure the purchase price is put to its best use for you.
- Consider post sale options if not retirement – are you going to be employed by the buyer? Are you selling to an associate and will phase out? Are you just moving and will need to find new employment/open a practice?
Step 2: Visit Your Accountant
- Your business is only worth as much as can be defined on paper.
- If a potential buyer cannot make sense of your accounts and assets, you may leave significant value on the table.
- Get your financial history in order by reviewing tax returns, profit statements, AR reports, and payroll history for prior 3-4 years.
- Clean up creative bookkeeping – you will have to promise the buyer that your financial statements are true and accurate.
- Have your accountant help value assets of your business – or use an appraiser if necessary.
- Discuss company structure – there may be restructuring needs or you may need to transition to a different structure for tax purposes.
Getting Back to a New Workplace Normal
by admin on May 19, 2020 No comments
By: Steven Boyne
As employers begin to consider opening their offices and bringing back their employees and inviting other people into their offices, such as patients, there are many issues that should be considered and planned for BEFORE the front door is opened.
Quick Legal Advice – COVID-19 is new to everyone, including Government regulators and plaintiff lawyers, so we are all learning as we go along. The best legal advice in these uncertain times is:
- Find out what other similar situated companies are doing, as you may be held to their standards;
- Find checklists and advice from well reputable entities;
- Document your decisions; and
- Communicate.
OPENING YOUR DOOR TO YOUR EMPLOYEES
As an employer you have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment, and as of today it is clear that the following is a minimal list of considerations:
read moreMaximizing COVID-19 Government Support Dollars
by admin on May 11, 2020 No comments
By: Steven Boyne
COVID-19 has devastated the US economy, including many parts of our Healthcare sector. The Federal Government, along with most States, have begun to respond with various financial incentives, ranging from straight out grants to loans, and everything in between. The following is an overview of some of the assistance that is currently available for the Healthcare community, along with some tips that may assist your company in applying, and what you need to do if you are lucky enough to receive some money:
The CARES Act
- Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). Essentially a grant from the Federal Government for payroll, employee benefits, rent/mortgage, utilities for 8 weeks. This program is available for all small businesses, and is managed through banks and private financial institutions.
TIPS:
- Apply with multiple financial institutions, and whoever comes through first take the loan/grant;
- If you receive the money keep excellent records;
- You can only use the money for W-2 employees, not 1099 contractors;
- There are strict rules with respect to the number of employees, and their maximum salary. The NUMBER of employees before and after the loan is critical, not the actual employee, so if you laid off someone, you don’t have to hire back that particular person, you can use the money for a new employee who fills the same position; and
- If you don’t use all the money for payroll etc, don’t worry, you can either pay it back in a lump sum, or pay it back over time at 1% interest.
Governor DeSantis Issues Executive Order 20-114 Extending State of Emergency
by admin on May 8, 2020 No comments
By: Susan St. John
Earlier today, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-144 extending the State of Emergency declare in Executive Order 20-52 for another 60 days. Pursuant to the extension of Executive Order 20-52, the State Surgeon General’s Order 20-003 is also extended another 60 days as its expiration is tied to the expiration of Executive Order 20-52. Thus, telehealth providers from other states with valid and unencumbered licenses may continue to provide telehealth services to persons in Florida without registering with the Department of Health. Telehealth services must still be provided using two-way audio and video communications. Audio-only telephone calls are not permitted under Florida’s existing telehealth statute and have not been waived or suspended via the State Surgeon General’s Orders.
read moreFlorida Healthcare Law Firm Offers Telehealth & Teledentistry Advisement During Covid-19 Pandemic
by admin on May 1, 2020 No comments
Florida Healthcare Law Firm is offering advisement by way of webinars to dentists and dental professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic. The firm, which offers legal assistance to medical professionals and businesses, is working in the dental law field and assisting professionals who are currently not working due to the coronavirus so that they can continue to provide assistance to their patients. With education top of mind for the firm, the telehealth and teledentistry campaign is to inform dental professionals on how to directly stay in contact with patients and offer services via audiovisual telecommunications.
“The coronavirus has hit our country hard and most small businesses. Dentistry is at the top of the list and even though dental law is one of our top fields, we wanted to make sure that we adapted to the times and offered a reliable service to our clients and those in the field impacted by this pandemic. Technology allows doctors to connect with patients from anywhere in the world and knowing that you can reach a medical professional who you’ve trusted for years is important, especially right now.” Florida Healthcare Law Firm Representative. “Although dental services have been deemed “non-essential business,” we know how important dental health is. Patients will still have dental questions or concerns during the office shut-downs.”
Because telemedicine is not a service usually offered by dentist offices, many doctors and business owners are finding it difficult to adjust and offer remote service. The law firm has stepped in and is offering free information webinars and other forms of digital content which can provide clarity and guidance for these small businesses so that they can stay open and provide care for their patients. With a limitation elective services, as well as many in the public not wanting to leave their homes right now, telehealth provides a bridge where patients can still get reliable care and advisement from someone they trust.
read moreHealth law is the federal, state, and local law, rules, regulations and other jurisprudence among providers, payers and vendors to the healthcare industry and its patient and delivery of health care services; all with an emphasis on operations, regulatory and transactional legal issues.
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