Health Care Counsel Blog

The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) recently confirmed that the deadlines for reporting adverse actions against licensees have not been extended, despite the COVID-19 emergency.

DCA’s Order Waiving Postgraduate Training License Deadline, effective as of May 6 under the authority of California Governor Newsom’s March 30 Executive Order, is the latest in a series of healthcare licensing waivers issued since March 31.

Since March 31, DCA has issued waivers pursuant to California Governor Newsom’s March 30 Executive Order, temporarily easing licensing requirements for PAs, NPs, CNMs, pre-licensure nursing programs and students, and other health care professionals, during the COVID-19 emergency period.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

Partner Anne Murphy authored an article for The Governance Institute titled “The Governing Board’s Role in Assessing Possible Hospital Closure or Downsizing.”

Below are six reimbursement issues that health care providers should be on “high alert” for as the COVID-19 crisis persists.

On May 4, California Department of Consumer Affairs issued another order waiving additional requirements for pre-licensure nursing programs and nursing students under Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations (Code).

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

The California Court of Appeal recently overturned a $13 million jury verdict against the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in a gender discrimination lawsuit brought by a physician faculty member.

Healthcare partner Stephanie Trunk has been selected by JD Supra to receive a 2020 Readers’ Choice Award in the healthcare category.

Earlier this month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued two memoranda detailing the agency’s plan for conducting enforcement actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Save the ER for emergencies – or you’ll be responsible for the cost.” This warning was included in a 2017 letter Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. (BCBS) sent to its insureds, alerting them to a new policy for reviewing and paying emergency room medical claims. 

The Daily Journal named health care litigation partner Debra Albin-Riley a 2020 Top Health Care Lawyer in California. An April 22 article highlights Debra’s administrative litigation work in complex medical staff peer review hearings, and in serving as lead trial counsel in related court litigation.

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On April 17, 2020, the California Attorney General released Opinion No. 15-301, clarifying the deadlines for peer review bodies to file reports to certain licensing agencies pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 805 (805 Reports).

CMS issued an MLN Matters Special Edition Article on April 17, 2020, regarding waivers for rural health clinics (RHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) permitting flexibility during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has issued additional health professional licensing waivers to help the healthcare industry better respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

Health Care Counsel Susanna Hathaway Murphy was recently quoted in Part B News on the recent COVID-related development of health care providers seeing patients strictly via telehealth as the pandemic rages on.

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To address provider shortages, CMS issued a declaration on April 9, 2020, setting forth new “Blanket Waivers,” which, among other things, allow practitioners to practice across state borders (if permitted by the state) and at the top of their license.

When a practitioner does not meet the medical staff’s standards, leaders have a wide variety of remedial and corrective action choices. Join us for a discussion on some of those surprisingly numerous options.

Recognizing the need to make health services available during the current state of emergency, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-43-20 (the “Order”) on April 3, 2020.

On March 30, 2020, in response to the continued spread of COVID-19, California Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-39-20, authorizing temporary adjustments to certain standards related to staffing and licensing requirements for healthcare facilities, providers, and professionals.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

Join us for a conversation about Drug Pricing Transparency.