Minneapolis Health Law Blog

Three telehealth issues attorneys and doctors are watching

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC on Sunday, August 25, 2019.

Minnesota’s governor signed the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) well over four years ago, allowing eligible physicians licensed here to apply for expedited licenses to practice in any one of 19 other states.

But even before, the use of telemedicine by Minnesota doctors and patients was rising fast. Released last winter, a study by our Department of Health and the UMN School of Public Health showed that telemedicine visits ballooned by seven-fold from 2010 to 2015. Minnesota apparently looked forward to IMLC and telehealth.

Less than a third of healthcare organizations are HIPAA compliant

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC on Thursday, June 6, 2019.

Every medical professional knows the importance of protecting health care information. But not every professional may be great at implementing security measures.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about 70% of all U.S. healthcare organizations are not compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

How can physicians protect patients' privacy in the digital age?

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Protecting patient privacy continues to get more complicated as communication evolves and cyber attacks increase. What can physicians do to keep up and be compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

A recent interview with Michael J Sacopulos, JD highlights some of the greatest threats for physicians in the digital age and ways a practice can circumvent them.

Care facility workers: Could you be sued?

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

As an employee at a care facility, you appreciate how emotional the work can be. You provide care for someone who can no longer do so on their own. The care you provide may range anywhere from routine meal preparation to bathing and toileting. In providing this care, you must also manage the patient’s expectations as well as the expectations of the patient’s loved ones who monitor your work.

One thing that seems to unite all the visitors is a sense of guilt upon visiting. Guilt that they don’t spend enough time with their loved one or guilt that they should be taking care of this person themselves. Guilt, as we know, can lead people to act in unusual ways.

Improper billing leads to trouble for one long-term care provider

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

This past June, Signature HealthCARE, provider of long-term nursing care based out of Kentucky, settled with the U.S. Department of Justice on allegations of upcoding. In the settlement, Signature will pay $30 million of the $230 million suit to move forward without an admission of guilt.

According to Kimberly Marselas of McKnight's Long-Term Care News, the complaint "...accused Signature of pushing patients into the ultra-high therapy category, often hitting the 720-minute per week exactly to maximize reimbursements. According to the Justice Department, Signature discouraged care above the threshold and pressured therapists to complete planned minutes even when patients were sick or disinterested."

One gubernatorial candidate’s plan for the future of healthcare

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC on Friday, July 27, 2018.

The 2018 Minnesota gubernatorial race is nearing its end. On November 6th, 2018, Minnesotan’s will decide who will replace Mark Dayton, who has served as Governor since 2011. With several candidates from each party heading into the August primaries, voters still have time to decide which candidate best aligns with their vision for the future.

One big topic still up for debate? Healthcare.

Why an attorney is invaluable for a board hearing

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Monday, April 30, 2018.

Every profession has paperwork you never want to see. In health care, a letter from the state licensing board is a serious matter that might put your career on the line. Every public-facing job experiences customer feedback, but a patient complaint to the board is nothing to take lightly.

Minnesota sues after health funding is slashed by $1 billion

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.

If you’re a federal health care employee or benefit from low-income health care programs, the latest Trump administration reform could have a substantial effect on your life.

Abrupt and drastic cuts to the federal funding for basic health care programs are leaving some in the industry on edge. If you’re a provider, the cuts could affect the quality of care that you’ll be able to give to low-income patients. If you’re a resident benefiting from the program, your insurance coverage may be affected.

Minnesota dermatologist pays out $850,000 for false claims

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

A Minnesota dermatologist has agreed to pay $850,000 to settle allegations of false Medicare claims. The U.S. attorney’s office had accused the physician and his practice of falsely billing Medicare for dermatological procedures and services over the span of several years.

The doctor, who maintains offices in Burnsville, Edina, Orono and St. Cloud, came to federal and state prosecutors’ attention after a whistle-blower came forward. The individual who alerted authorities to the alleged fraud had been a physician working in the office.

3 ways medical practice owners can avoid privacy violations

On behalf of Weber & Nelson Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Thursday, December 21, 2017.

As a healthcare practice owner, you are aware that patient information is protected by law. However, privacy violations can be easy to make. A simple mistake could cost your employees their license and hurt the reputation of your practice.

Whether you are opening a new private practice or you own an established treatment center, you can review a few methods to protect your patients’ rights. Good business strategy can help you avoid stressful lawsuits and expensive settlements.

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