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License Complaint Investigation Against Registered Nurse Closed with Finding of No Probable Cause

Posted on Firm News, Professional Licensure Investigations by Robert Nicholson

After considering the rebuttal statement prepared by the Firm on behalf of a Registered Nurse accused of improperly handling narcotics, the Probable Cause Panel for the Board of Nursing determined that probable cause did not exist and directed that the case be closed by the Florida Department of Health.  The Firm fully investigated the allegations Read more →

New Florida Health Laws Prohibit Unexpected Balance Billing and Demand Greater Pricing Transparency

Posted on Health Care Law News by Robert Nicholson

Florida recently became the latest state to enact legislation protecting consumers from unexpected medical bills through balance billing.  Unexpected “balance billing” happens when a patient is unaware that they are receiving treatment from a medical provider that is not covered under his or her health insurance plan (i.e., a provider who is “out-of-network”). This may Read more →

HHS-OCR Launches Phase 2 of HIPAA Audits, Will Include “Business Associates”

Posted on Health Care Law News by Robert Nicholson

The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has officially started the second phase of HIPAA Audits, which will include “Business Associates” for the first time.  When HHS-OCR previously conducted Phase 1 (the “pilot” phase) of its audits, it focused exclusively on “covered entities” such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, and Read more →

Department of Justice and HHS-OIG Recover $2.4 Billion in FY 2015

Posted on Health Care Law News by Robert Nicholson

The government has released its annual HCFAC Report for fiscal year 2015.  In the report, the government touts its recovery of $2.4 billion through civil and criminal enforcement efforts.  Of that amount, approximately $1.6 billion was returned to the Medicare Trust Funds, approximately $386 million was paid to federal agencies for restitution/compensatory damages, and approximately Read more →

Lincare Hit with $240,000 HIPAA Penalty

Posted on Health Care Law News by Robert Nicholson

Lincare, a major provider of in-home respiratory care and other services, will pay $238,900 in civil monetary penalties for violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), federal authorities announced Wednesday.  The civil monetary penalty was challenged, but now has been upheld by an administrate law judge (ALJ). The Breach Incident at Lincare’s Wynne Read more →