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You are here: Home / Author: Steven M. Harris, Esq.

Steven M. Harris, Esq.

Steven M. Harris, Esq., is a nationally recognized healthcare attorney and a member of the law firm McDonald Hopkins LLC. Steve has a national reputation as an advisor to business and professional organizations, counsels privately and publicly owned corporations and healthcare clients on contractual and regulatory issues, succession planning, and related transactional matters. He represents clients in acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and contract disputes. In addition to acting as a business advisor, Steve serves as a member of various boards of directors. Steve also commits substantial time educating the medical profession on business and regulatory matters. Presentations include the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the University of Chicago Hospital, the American Dental Association, and Illinois Medical Group Management Association (ILMGMA). Contact him via e-mail at [email protected].

Articles by Steven M. Harris, Esq.

HIPAA and PHI Cybersecurity Best Practices in the COVID-19 Era

September 14, 2021 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

When the first SARS-CoV-2 case was recorded, it was difficult to appreciate the extent to which cybersecurity concerns, particularly in connection to the protection of patient healthcare data, would enter into main­stream consciousness. Although many practices and healthcare organizations have recently adopted additional measures to safeguard patients’ protected health information (PHI) through expanded cybersecurity monitoring,… [Read More]

The 21st Century Cures Act Information-Blocking Rule

April 17, 2021 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

The 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) became law on Dec. 13, 2016, and emphasized interoperability in the exchange of healthcare information between healthcare providers, health information entities and patients. The Cures Act underscored unimpeded access to patient electronic health information (EHI) upon request, in a manner that is secure and updated automatically, and prohibits… [Read More]

Reporting & Other Tips for the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund

February 16, 2021 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

Between April and December 2020, many eligible healthcare providers received or applied for payments from the $175 billion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Provider Relief Fund (PRF) through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). On Dec.27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Appropriations Act) was signed into law,… [Read More]

How to Terminate a Patient Relationship

November 12, 2020 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

The success of a physician-patient relationship encompasses several important factors, including mutual respect, trust and effective communication. But what can be done when this relationship becomes adversarial and communication breaks down? The American Medical Association has historically pointed out that poor physician-patient communication is directly related to malpractice or discrimination lawsuits. When providers end a… [Read More]

Best Practices for COVID-19 Regulatory Waivers, Relief Funding & Audits

September 11, 2020 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

When the first laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 case was reported by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) on Jan. 22, it was difficult to predict an ensuing global pandemic would last for more than half the year. Approximately one week after the initial CDC report, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) declared… [Read More]

Andrey_Popov / shutterstock.com

How Ageism Hurts Physicians & Patients

May 15, 2020 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

Ageism is defined as stereo­typing, prejudice or discrimination against individuals on the basis of their age. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), 43% of all physicians and surgeons are 55 or older. Specialists are, on average, older than primary care doctors. In addition, around 30% of the current U.S. population is older than 55,… [Read More]

The Doctor Will See You Now: Legal & Regulatory Reforms Expand Telemedicine

March 17, 2020 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

In this time of COVID-19, you may be considering ways to deliver routine rheumatologic care via some form of telemedicine. Here are some of the legal considerations.... [Read More]

Proposed Changes May Loosen Federal Fraud & Abuse Laws

February 13, 2020 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

The Stark law and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) are the U.S. healthcare system’s primary fraud and abuse laws, and highly anticipated proposed reform plans from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) were finally unveiled on Oct. 17, 2019. The proposed reforms would 1) clarify certain requirements… [Read More]

How to Work with Sales & Marketing Representatives in Your Practice

January 17, 2020 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

Sales and marketing representatives can add tremendous value to your practice: They can generate consistent business by leveraging contacts who have services that can be referred to your practice. However, the services a sales and marketing representative provides are subject to significant scrutiny under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and state equivalents. For this reason, the… [Read More]

LeoWolfert / shutterstock.com

Legal Updates: Tips for Protecting Your Patients’ Health Information

December 18, 2019 • By Steven M. Harris, Esq.

In the daily shuffle of evaluating patients and focusing on the delivery of high-quality patient care, the importance of protecting patient information may get overlooked. Human error is just one possible way patient information can be compromised. Cybersecurity attacks are becoming more numerous and sophisticated every day, with the number of patient records compromised increasing…. [Read More]

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