Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

Nation’s First Conviction Under EKRA

Client Alert
March 3, 2020

Last month, the Department of Justice announced its first ever guilty plea under the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018 (“EKRA”). This came following an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General as well as the Kentucky Office of Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The investigation uncovered that a Kentucky woman, Theresa C. Merced, had solicited kickbacks from a toxicology laboratory in exchange for urine drug testing referrals. She then lied about the misconduct and the kickbacks that she received when confronted by law enforcement. Thereafter, Ms. Merced attempted to cover her tracks by requesting an alteration of certain financial records.

Ms. Merced appeared before the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky and pleaded guilty to one count of violating EKRA, 18 U.S.C. § 220, among other charges. Sentencing in this case is scheduled for May 1, 2020 and Ms. Merced faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

On October 5, 2018, the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018 (“EKRA”) was signed into law as part of the federal government’s ongoing efforts to address and combat the nationwide opioid crisis. Like its predecessor, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, EKRA established prohibitions against certain health care payment arrangements involving federal health care programs as well as instituted criminal sanctions for any statutory violation. What distinguishes EKRA, however, is that its authority applies to only certain entities including recovery homes, clinical treatment facilities, and laboratories.[1]

EKRA makes it illegal for any person, with respect to services covered by any health care benefit program (federal or private) to knowingly and willfully: (1) solicit or receive renumeration in return for referring a patient or patronage to a Subject Entity, or (2) pay or offer any renumeration to induce a referral to a Subject Entity or in exchange for an individual using the services of a Subject Entity.[2] A Subject Entity includes recovery homes, clinical treatment facilities, and laboratories. [3]

Penalties for a violation under EKRA can include a fine of not more than $200,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, for each occurrence.[4]

For questions or more information about this topic, contact Jeana Singleton at jmsingleton@bmdllc.com or 330.253.2001, or feel free to contact any member of BMD’s Health Care Practice Group.

[1] Reesa N. Benkoff, Esq. & Dustin T. Wachler, Esq., EKRA: Enactment and Implications of the SUPPORT Act’s New All-Payor Federal Antikickback Law, American Bar Association (https://www.americanbar.org/groups/health_law/publications/aba_health_esource/2018-2019/march/ekra/).

[2] 18 U.S.C. § 220 (2018)

[3] Id.

[4] Id. 

 

 

EKRADepartment of JusticekickbacksRecovery Act of 2018
Client Alert

Telehealth Flexibility Updates: HIPAA, DEA, and CMS

May 12, 2023The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) officially ended on May 11, 2023. But what does that mean for telehealth, a field that expanded exponentially during the PHE? Fortunately, many of the flexibilities will remain intact, at least temporarily. This client alert presents a brief overview of the timelines that providers need to follow, but for a more comprehensive review of telehealth flexibilities and when they will endClient Alert, Multimedia

WEBINAR SERIES RECAP | Ending the Public Health Emergency + Post-Pandemic Check-Up

May 10, 2023Some may take the position that the rest of the country already returned to a new “normal” following the COVID-19 pandemic.  But healthcare providers continue to implement COVID protocols and navigate the ever-changing healthcare regulations at both the federal and state levels.  It is important for healthcare providers to take time for a “Healthcare Check-Up” with the start of 2023 and the ending of the Public Health Emergency (“PHE”).Client Alert

Sharp Rise in False Claims Act Cases - Navigating the FCA Waters

May 5, 2023Recently, on April 18, 2023, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the FCA’s scienter, or mental state, requirement. To prove violation of the FCA, the statute requires that a defendant “knowingly” file false claims for payment. The term “knowingly” is defined within the statute to mean a person that acts with actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, or reckless disregard. Circuit courts are split on how to interpret and apply the knowledge element of the FCA, and based on the Supreme Court’s decision, there will be a large impact on healthcare defendants and their businesses as well as anyone who contracts with, or receives money from, a federal program. A broader interpretation of the FCA would unnecessarily target and stifle healthcare, and other businesses, for simple errors in daily operations. This goes against the intended application of the FCA, which was to prevent fraudulent activity.Client Alert

Areas of Opportunity in Columbus: Highlights from the Columbus Opportunity Summit

May 5, 2023On April 27, 2023 Columbus Business First held its annual Columbus Opportunity Summit, bringing together business and economic development leaders to provide an update on how Central Ohio is preparing for expected growth in the coming years, an issue heightened by the arrival of Intel at its 1,000 acre site in Licking County, just outside of Columbus. The site will be home to two new chip factories with room to grow to a total of eight factories and is a $20 Billion investment.Client Alert

BREAKING: Biden Administration Has Officially Ended the Two Remaining COVID Vaccine Mandates

May 2, 2023As of May 1, 2023, the Biden Administration has officially ended the two remaining COVID vaccine mandates: (1) the Federal Contractor Mandate, and (2) the CMS Healthcare Provider Vaccine Mandate.
Older posts