Legal Updates

Verify Patients’ Insurance Eligibility, Coverage Before Office Visits

From the College | March 1, 2014

Physician practices can save time and money if patients’ insurance coverage is verified prior to check-in

Ethics Forum: The Ethical Challenges of Recruiting Patients for Clinical Trials

Carol M. Greco, PhD, and Donah Zack Crawford, MA | February 1, 2014

A successful recruiter raises concerns about balancing friendliness and enthusiasm with legal and ethical constraints when screening human subjects for research

Is It Time to Reevaluate Your Physician Compensation Model?

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | December 1, 2013

Ongoing payment reform, healthcare consolidation forces rheumatology practices to reconsider ways doctors are paid

Interplay Between Physician Employment Agreements, Medical Staff Bylaws Should Not be Ignored

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | October 1, 2013

Doctors must consider and review bylaws of hospital medical staff privileges when entertaining employment with a hospital or private practice

Healthcare Providers Must Get Compliant with HIPAA Privacy Practices

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | August 1, 2013

Failure to have an updated Notice of Privacy Practices by September 23, 2013 could result in fines and penalties

What Rheumatologists Need to Know About the Physician Payment Sunshine Act

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | July 1, 2013

The federal act mandates transparency within physician–industry relationship

Legal Updates: What Rheumatologists Should Consider Before Signing with an ACO

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | May 1, 2013

Medicare’s ACO physician exclusivity provisions may preclude participation in more than one accountable care organization

Department of Health and Human Services’ Final Rule Expands HIPAA Obligations, Violation Penalties

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | April 1, 2013

Physicians’ business associates can now face civil and criminal penalties for violating HIPAA laws guarding the confidentiality of protected health information

Legal Updates: As Opioids for Pain Treatment Come Under Greater Scrutiny, Controlled Substance Agreements Matter More

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | March 1, 2013

These contracts can communicate a physician’s expectations for a pain treatment plan and guidelines for safe use by their patients

Tail Insurance Protects Against Medical Malpractice Claims from Previous Jobs

Steven M. Harris, Esq. | February 1, 2013

Physicians who are resigning, retiring, switching jobs, or are terminated should consider tail insurance to cover malpractice claims brought after they’ve left their current employer