As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ “Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care,” the U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) coordinated their efforts in issuing proposed changes to the federal fraud and abuse laws which prohibit certain patient referrals. The changes are intended …
Read More

In the past 10 years, the legalization of marijuana and other cannabis-related products have expanded tremendously throughout the United States. Currently, medical marijuana is legal in 33 states and the District of Columbia, while 11 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and over. Additionally, cannabidiol (CBD) got …
Read More

On Monday, April 1, 2019, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature agreed to broad reform in the criminal justice system that will take effect on January 1, 2020. These new criminal procedure laws will completely change how individuals accused of committing crimes (referred to below as “the accused”) are treated during a criminal …
Read More

Marc Ullman wrote “Regulations Remain Hazy around CBD Use in Supplements” for the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of USLAW Magazine. The article reveals the regulatory confusion shrouding products made from Cannabis Sativa plants and their byproducts, with a special focus on cannabidiol as a supplement ingredient. To read the article, click here.   …
Read More

On March 15, 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its 2018 Privacy and Data Security Update, which reported on the agency’s enforcement activities for that calendar year. As the United States’ primary consumer protection agency, the FTC has authority to enforce a variety laws directly related to privacy and data security, including the Truth in …
Read More

Steven Shapiro published an article in Nutrition Industry Executive, “What is Slack-fill & Why You Need to Know.” Click here to read the article. …
Read More

OMIG has issued updates to its certification process for applicable Medicaid and Managed Medicaid providers, which may have a significant impact on providers who are required to certify by December 31, 2018. OMIG has expanded its certification to adopt five separate categories listed on the updated Social Services Law Certification Form: (i) Annual Certification, (ii) …
Read More

The December 31 deadline for certain Medicaid providers and third-party billers to certify as to the effectiveness of their compliance program is fast approaching. New York State Medicaid providers and third-party billing companies who claim, bill, order or receive at least $500,000 in any consecutive 12-month period from the Medicaid Program or Managed Medicaid payors …
Read More

The United States recently agreed to a $260 million settlement of criminal charges and related civil claims under the False Claims Act arising from a scheme to defraud conducted by Naples, Florida-based hospital chain Health Management Associates, LLC (HMA). The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the settlement on September 25. The settlement is evidence of …
Read More

Healthcare providers must not only be knowledgeable in their respective specialties, they must also understand and comply with the multitude of regulations that not only directly affect their practice of medicine, but also their payment for the services rendered. After all, “those who deal with the government are expected to know the law, and cannot …
Read More