Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

2022 Healthcare Recap and 2023 Healthcare Check-Up

Client Alert
December 20, 2022

As the country begins to return to a new “normal” following the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many healthcare rules changing on both the federal and state levels as a result. Thus, it is important for healthcare providers and their employers to be aware of these changing rules, and any implications they may have on their practice.

Federal Public Health Emergency:

First, the federal Public Health Emergency (“PHE”), which was first declared by the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) in January 2020, is still in effect. It was last renewed on October 13, 2022, for another ninety (90) days.[1] However, HHS has stated they would provide at least sixty (60) days’ notice that the PHE will not be renewed again.[2] Currently, there has been no such notification. As providers are aware, the PHE provided many waivers and flexibilities to providers and healthcare entities, especially related to telehealth, billing, and supervision requirements. Therefore, providers should be cognizant of any potential rule changes, and anticipate any changes to their practice structure that will need to be made once the PHE does come to an end, whenever that may be.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has already started to assess which waivers and flexibilities will remain in effect after the PHE ends.[3] For example, the expansion of telehealth for patients with mental health disorders, and payment of COVID-19 vaccines for Medicare beneficiaries will remain in effect.[4] Providers can review the “roadmap” provided by CMS here, to see which waivers will expire at the end of the PHE, and which ones will stick around.

However, note that following the end of the PHE, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 has stated that there will be a 151-day transition period before certain telehealth flexibilities are phased out.[5]

Public Health Emergencies on the State Level:

In addition to the federal PHE, many states implemented their own public health emergencies. As a result, like the federal PHE, state laws regarding licensure requirements and the use of telehealth became more lenient. However, many of the public health emergencies implemented by the states have ended, or are ending soon, and providers need to be aware of what rules have changed as a result. For example, states that may have permitted out-of-state licensees to provide telehealth services to residents located in their state without obtaining licensure, are now starting to rescind these privileges. However, each state is different, and it is important for providers to review laws that govern licensure and registration in each state where a provider’s patients are located.

The Stark Law & Profit Sharing:

The federal Stark Law implemented new changes to their profit-sharing rules for group practices, which went into effect on January 1, 2022.[6] Many providers were unaware of these rule changes, and as a result, are not yet in compliance. Essentially, when a group practice is determining what methodology to use to split overall designated health service (“DHS”) profits among members, the same methodology must be used for all physicians in order to meet the ancillary exception.[7] However, each practice (i.e., specialty) of at least five (5) physicians within the group can have a different methodology than another group within the practice.[8] Providers can schedule a one-hour consultation with Amanda Waesch prior to the end of 2022 to review their existing compensation methodology.

No Surprises Act & Good Faith Estimates:

Additionally, as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 – the No Surprises Act also implemented changes in 2022. In particular, starting January 1, 2022, providers were required to provide uninsured or self-pay patients with a “good faith estimate” of items or services scheduled.[9] This also extended to any patients who requested an estimate of the cost of services.[10] However, as a reminder, this does not include emergency services (i.e., air ambulance services), and, generally, applies to services that are scheduled at least three (3) days in advance.[11]

Preparing for 2023 Checklist:

Lastly, as providers and employers prepare for 2023, below is a checklist of some items that employers should review before the New Year:

  • Employment agreements;
  • Corporate documents (retirees, partners, new hires);
  • Employee Handbooks (there have been many recent changes);
  • Compliance Plans and HIPAA Compliance Plans;
  • Policies and trainings (especially if any were changed during the pandemic due to statutory updates);
  • Consent forms, financial policies, etc.

If you would like to set up a consultation to discuss any of these items, or have general questions about any of the other information provided in this Overview, please contact healthcare attorney Amanda Waesch via email alwaesch@bmdllc.com or phone: (330) 253-9185.  

This client alert was authored by BMD attorneys Amanda Waesch and Rachel C. Stermer.

 

 

[1] ASPR, Renewal of Determination That a Public Health Emergency Exists (Oct. 13, 2022), https://aspr.hhs.gov/legal/PHE/Pages/covid19-13Oct2022.aspx.

[2] The Secretary of Health and Human Services (Jan. 1, 2021), https://ccf.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Public-Health-Emergency-Message-to-Governors.pdf.

[3] CMS, Creating a Roadmap for the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (Aug. 18, 2022), Creating a Roadmap for the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency | CMS.

[4] CMS, Physicians and Other Clinicians: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 (Aug. 18, 2022), https://www.cms.gov/files/document/physicians-and-other-clinicians-cms-flexibilities-fight-covid-19.pdf.

[5] HHS, Telehealth Policy Changes After the OVID-19 Public Health Emergency, https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/policy-changes-during-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency/policy-changes-after-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency/.

[6] 42 CFR Part 411.352.

[7] Federal Register, Medicare Program; Modernizing and Clarifying the Physician Self-Referral Regulations (Dec. 2, 2020), https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/02/2020-26140/medicare-program-modernizing-and-clarifying-the-physician-self-referral-regulations, p. 77564.

[8] Id.

[9] CMS, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Dec. 21, 2021), https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Regulations-and-Guidance/Downloads/Guidance-Good-Faith-Estimates-FAQ.pdf, p. 1.

[10] Id.

[11] Id. at 2.

Health LawHealthcareAmanda L. Waesch
Client Alert

Latest Batch of Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board Rules: What Providers Should Know

March 25, 2024The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board recently released several new rules and proposed amendments to existing rules over the past few months. A hearing for the new rules was held on February 16, 2024, but the Board has not yet finalized them.Client Alert

Now in Effect: DOL Final Rule on Classification of Independent Contractors

March 21, 2024Effective March 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has adopted a new standard for the classification of employees versus independent contractors — a much anticipated update since the DOL issued its Final Rule on January 9, 2024, as previously discussed by BMD.  In brief, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) creates significant protections for workers related to minimum wage, overtime pay, and record-keeping requirements. That said, such protection only exists for employees. This can incentivize entities to classify workers as independent contractors; however, misclassification is risky and can be costly.Client Alert

Florida's Recent Ruling on Arbitration Clauses

March 15, 2024Florida’s recent ruling on arbitration clauses provides a crucial distinction in determining whether such clauses are void as against public policy and providers may have the opportunity to include arbitration clauses in their patient consent forms. On March 6, 2024, Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeals reversed and remanded Florida’s Fifteenth Circuit Court ruling of Piero Palacios v. Sharnice Lawson. The Court of Appeals ruled that the parties’ arbitration agreement did not contradict the Legislature’s intent of Florida’s Medical Malpractice Act (the “MMA”), but rather reflects the parties’ choice to arbitrate claims entirely outside of the MMA’s framework. Therefore, the Court found that the agreement was not void as against public policy.Client Alert

Corporate Transparency Act Update 3/14/24

March 14, 2024On March 1, 2024, a federal district court in the Northern District of Alabama concluded that the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) exceeded Congressional powers and enjoined the Department of the Treasury from enforcing the CTA against the plaintiffs. National Small Business United v. Yellen, No. 5:22-cv-01448 (N.D. Ala.). On March 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice appealed the district court’s decision to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.Client Alert

The Ohio State University Launches Its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

February 27, 2024In response to Ohio’s nursing shortage, The Ohio State University College of Nursing is accepting applications for its new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (aBSN). Created for students with a bachelor’s degree in non-nursing fields, the aBSN allows such students to obtain their nursing degree within 18 months. All aBSN students will participate in high-quality coursework and gain valuable clinical experience. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the State Board, National Council of Licensure Exam for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).
Older posts
Newer posts