By Mani Dabiri | Published May 26, 2019 | Posted in Civil Business Litigation and Investigations, Government Subpoenas and Investigations, White-Collar and Regulatory Defense | Tagged Tags: civilmonetarypenalties, excessivefines, healthandhumanservices, healthcare, HHS, HIPAA, mensrea |
HHS Reduces HIPAA’s Maximum Fines
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it would no longer apply the same maximum fines to all HIPAA violations regardless of fault or blameworthiness. Before, the agency used the same maximum annual penalty, $1.5 million, for all violations regardless of whether or not you knew you violated HIPAA; whether or not you Read More
Read MoreFeds Raise Healthcare Penalties Again
If you’re a healthcare provider who takes Medicare or another federal program, take note. We didn’t get a government shutdown, but the budget law from last week more than doubled the civil and criminal penalties you face when the government accuses you of fraud, waste, or abuse. To see for yourself, click the link and scroll all Read More
Read MoreDon’t Keep The Change, Doc
Meaning, don’t just pocket the difference when the government overpays you for healthcare goods or services. Recently, a medical group agreed to pay $450,000 to settle allegations that it refused to return $175,000 in overpayments that it received from federal healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Here’s the government’s press release. The overpayments at issue tend to happen in medical Read More
Read MoreCMS Puts Out New Physician Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol
If you’re a healthcare provider or supplier, take note. Starting June 1, 2017, there is a new process for self-reporting actual or potential violations of the Stark Law to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Remember, Stark says that doctors can’t refer certain, designated health services that are payable by Medicare or Medicaid to entities in which they have a financial interest. Read More
Read MoreCMS Issues Final “Overpayments” Rule for Medicare Parts A and B
Speaking of healthcare—providers, suppliers, and other stakeholders should take note that, last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published its long-awaited final rule for reporting and returning overpayments under Medicare Parts A and B. The rule defines “overpayments” to include any funds you receive or retain that you’re not entitled to after applicable reconciliation. The CMS published its rule for Medicare Read More
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