|
|
 |
|
06-30-2010
|
Sonnenschein Welcomes Thomas Hutchinson to the Firm's Health Care Group
Thomas Hutchinson has joined Sonnenschein’s Health Care Group as a Managing Director. Mr. Hutchinson has spent more than 25 years in the public and private sectors implementing federal heatlh care programs. He comes to Sonnenschein from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where he served as director of the Medicare plan payment group. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of the federal government’s annual Medicare payments to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, totaling approximately $160 billion. He oversaw the risk adjustment payment system, and developed a program to validate and audit risk adjustment data submitted by the plans.
Read Thomas Hutchinson's news release.
|
|
06-11-2010
|
Lauren Mack Moderates AHLA Webinar Addressing Private Use
The Tax and Finance Practice Group of the American Health Lawyers Association sponsors a 90-minute webinar entitled, "Private Use: What Is It and What Can I Do To Avoid It?" on July 8, 2010 at 1pm ET. Faculty, including moderator and Sonnenschein counsel, Lauren K. Mack, will discuss the common fact patterns that can result in private use and review the safe harbor guidelines of Rev. Proc. 97-13.
CLE information will be provided to registrants. For more information, visit: http://www.healthlawyers.org/Events/Webinars/2010/Pages/PrivateUse.aspx
|
|
05-24-2010
|
Sonnenschein Attorneys Present at Co-sponsored National ACO Summit in DC
In response to recent health care reform, the National Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Summit is being held in Washington, DC, on June 7 - 9, extending the unprecedented opportunity to discuss, dissect and identify effective ways to implement ACOs. Sonnenschein is a bronze grantor for this event.
Additionally, Bruce Merlin Fried, partner, discusses "Legal Issues for Physician Organizations" on June 7 at 8:45 am (ET) during the pre-conference symposium entitled, "Advancing Accountable Care in Physician Organizations." Larry Kocot, senior counsel, will introduce the afternoon session on June 8 at 1:15 pm (ET). Later at 4 pm (ET), partner Christopher G. Janney will co-present "ACO Governance and Legal Issues."
For more information: please visit www.acosummit.com
|
|
05-24-2010
|
Nightingale Names Christopher G. Janney as Outstanding Healthcare Fraud & Compliance Lawyer
Sonnenschein partner Christopher G. Janney has been named to Nightingale's Healthcare News' 2010 list of Outstanding Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Compliance Lawyers. Among the list of 12 nationally recognized attorneys, Mr. Janney is highly regarded as a co-author of The Stark Law - A User's Guide to Achieving Compliance (2nd Ed.) (HC Pro 2009). Other accomplishments include his recent representation of a large nonprofit acute care hospital in connection with the multi-year defense of a $100 million civil FCA case (in which, after extensive legal argument, the government ultimately declined to intervene); and he currently represents over 15 hospitals in connection with national “short-stay” claim investigations.
|
|
05-18-2010
|
Sonnenschein Sponsors OHRP Research Community Forum 2010
The annual Office for Human Research Protections Research Community Forum will take place on May 21, 2010 in Chicago. This sold out educational conference entitled "Regulatory Responsibility and Innovative Research: An Opportunity for Partnership" will focus on the dynamics and complex relationships in promoting research, while maintaining high ethical standards and scientific integrity.
Sonnenschein Healthcare Manager Draco Forte will introduce Michelle Feige, MSW, Public Health Anaylst with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who is slated to present "Human Subjects Protections."
|
|
04-22-2010
|
Holley Lutz Presents During the AHLA's Program on Health Care Reform
The American Health Lawyers Association offers a program entitled, Health Reform: The Law and Its Implications from May 11-12, 2010 in Arlington, Virginia at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City Hotel. This program will provide details of the recently enacted health care reform legislation and discuss implications for specific sectors of the health care community. On May 11th, Holley Thames-Lutz, Sonnenschein Health Care Group National co-chair, will co-present "The Impact of Healthcare Reform Legislation on Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP" from 11:15am-12:30pm ET covering topics including 1) Expansions in coverage and benefits; 2) Payment formula changes by provider and supplier type; and 3) Medicare Advantage and Part D changes.
|
|
04-22-2010
|
Firm Offers Webinar Series to Prepare Clients for Successful Implementation of Health Care Reform
Sonnenschein continues to serves organizations impacted by health care reform by developing resources including a complementary series of health care reform webinars that help organizations understand the new health care reform law and its eminent impact on their business. Sonnenschein offers webinars covering topics of issue to most employers like coverage mandates and new tax provisions. As well, there are webinars of interest to a range of health care providers, including insurers, hospitals and health systems on Medicare Advantage and Part D changes; Fraud and Abuse provisions, establishment of accountable care organizations and comparative effectiveness programs; payment bundling; hospital VBP insurance; and Antitrust issues. Please click here for a listing of upcoming health care reform webinars.
|
|
04-06-2010
|
Health Care Reform Webinar: Preparing Employers and Health Plans
On April 8th at 12:30 p.m., Sonnenschein partners Bruce Merlin Fried and Martin J. Moderson copresent a BNA webinar designed to guide ERISA attorneys, third-party and plan administrators, consultants and professionals who advise employers of all sizes through the implications of new tax and health benefit laws. This webinar presentation will provide insight into the future of ERISA health plans as well as opportunities and challenges related to key provisions of the health care reform act.
|
|
04-02-2010
|
First Lady Announces Larry Kocot's Appointment to Board of Partnership for a Healthier America
On April 1, First Lady Michelle Obama named the board of directors for the Partnership for a Healthier America, a new foundation that will seek to mobilize the private sector, thought leaders, media and local communities in furtherance of the First Lady's campaign to curb childhood obesity. Sonnenschein partner Larry Kocot was named a member of the Partnership's board. Larry continues to serve as the Partnership's interim CEO. Read more about the First Lady's announcement.
|
|
04-02-2010
|
Health Care Reform Webinar: The PPACA Maze: Helping You Find the Way
On Tuesday, April 6, Sonnenschein held a 90-minute webinar discussing key provisions, including the major issues impacting health care providers, employers and insurers. Listen to the audio presentation and view the presentation from this webinar.
|
|
03-17-2010
|
Thomas Hyatt and Bruce Merlin Fried Present in Inaugural Health Law Symposium
On March 26th, a health law symposium entitled, Health Law and Public Policy: An Introduction to America’s Trillion Dollar Business will be held at the University of Memphis’ Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in Tennessee. This one day seminar will feature discussions by national authorities on Public Health, Health Information Technology, Health Care Reform, Biomedical Research, Economic Development and other topics of interest to providers, payors and regulators. Health Care Group co-chair, Thomas Hyatt will co-present in the opening seminar, The Health Care Ecosystem in Transition, at 8:45 a.m. Later (2 p.m.), Sonnenschein partner, Bruce Merlin Fried will co-present Perspectives on Health Care Reform - discussing the potential impact of reform on patients, physicians and hospitals.
|
|
02-19-2010
|
Rebecca Fayed Presents Webinar on a 10-Step Plan for Responding to HIPAA Security Breaches
Recently, HHS began enforcing the new HITECH Act security breach notification rule making it imperative that HIPAA covered entities and business associates be prepared to respond to suspected security breaches. On February 24, 2010, Sonnenschein attorney, Rebecca Fayed will co-present a webinar entitled "HIPAA Security Breaches: 10 Steps to Take When a Breach Occurs." This webinar presentation will cover 1) how to determine whether a breach has occurred, including strategies for assessing whether there is a significant risk of harm to the individual; 2) how to evaluate whether one of the HITECH Act breach exceptions applies; 3) who you have to notify of the breach and when; 4) the applicability of state breach-notification laws; 5) special considerations regarding breaches occurring at the business associate level; 6) strategies for preventing future breaches; and 7) how to prepare for an investigation by HHS-OCR.
This 60-minute presentation will be followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. To register, visit the AIS Health site at: http://www.aishealth.com/Products/C0X05_022410E773.html
|
|
02-19-2010
|
Janice Ziegler Presents During the AHLA Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues Program
The American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) will again offer the Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues program from March 24-26, 2010 in Baltimore at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel. This program is viewed as the most comprehensive program available on legal issues related to reimbursement. On March 25th, Sonnenschein partner Janice Ziegler will co-present "Medicare Secondary Payer Issues" from 3-4pm ET.
Please check the AHLA web site for additional details on the Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues program.
|
|
02-18-2010
|
Thomas Hyatt Presents Webinar on the New Version of Form 990
Sonnenschein partner Thomas Hyatt co-presents "Make Sure Your Board Complies With the New Form 990" - an archived discussion on the top things trustees need to know about the revised tax form and how executives can help their boards fulfill their new responsibilities. You can access this archived discussion at http://philanthropy.com/article/Make-Sure-Your-Board-Complies/64123/.
Resources shared during this presentation may be accessed within the following files:
Governance and the revised IRS Form 990: New roles for trustees
A Trustee's Guide to Reviewing the New IRS Form 990
|
|
01-19-2010
|
Sonnenschein Unpacks Health Care Reform Provisions for Clients
On March 30, 2010, President Obama Signs H.R. 4827, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Click here for an outline of the key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
|
|
01-07-2010
|
Medicare Secondary Payer Section 111 Reporting
Congress amended the federal Medicare Secondary Payer ("MSP") statute in December 2007 to impose mandatory reporting obligations on certain entities, including group health plans and liability, no fault and workers’ compensation insurers. A liability insurer is interpreted broadly in this context to include any self-insured entity and, accordingly, CMS has determined that the reporting obligations may apply to a broad range of entities (including, in certain instances, those who settle and pay within insurance deductible amounts). The statute authorizes CMS to impose civil monetary penalties of $1,000 dollars a day for each instance of non-reporting. Sonnenschein is actively advising many clients on MSP reporting obligations, including insurers and self-insured entities (such as hospitals, retailers and others).
Click here to view Medicare Secondary Payer & Other Coordination of Benefits page.
|
|
11-11-2009
|
Sonnenschein Sponsors 2009 Healthcare & Capital Conference
Sonnenschein is an executive sponsor of the 2009 Healthcare & Capital Conference, an event bringing together senior executives in healthcare and finance to explore issues and trends in health care finance and regulation. On November 17, 2009, Capital Markets Partner and Co-Chair Mike Froy will participate in a panel titled "Anatomy of a Deal," an in-depth case study of Legend Health care transactions with National Health Investors. On November 18, 2009, Health Care Partner Bruce Fried will participate in a panel titled "The Outlook for Physician Medical Groups".
|
|
11-10-2009
|
Washingtonian Magazine Recognizes Two Health Care Partners for 2010
Thomas Hyatt is recognized by the Washingtonian magazine on the "Washington, D.C., Best Health Care Lawyers of the Year" and "Washington, D.C., Best Non-Profit Charities Lawyers of the Year" list. Also, Robert Joseph is named by the Washingtonian magazine on the "Washington, D.C., Best Franchise Lawyers of the Year" list. These lists are published in the magazine's November 2009 edition.
|
|
10-26-2009
|
L. Robert Guenthner Named A Nightingale Outstanding Healthcare Transactions Lawyer
Sonnenschein partner L. Robert Guenthner has been named by Nightingale's Healthcare News as one of the country's Outstanding Healthcare Transactions Lawyers for 2009. Nightingale's is a nationally prominent monthly health care newsletter that honors outstanding health care attorneys practicing in various areas of health care law. Rob focuses his practice in transactional matters with an emphasis on the health care industry. His expertise includes mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, equity and debt financings, corporate reorganizations and other commercial transactions. He also has considerable experience dealing with the issues facing graduate medical education.
|
|
10-19-2009
|
Kevin Eskew Presents Tactical Framework for a Clinical Trial Billing Audit Webinar
As part of the Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors (AHIA) webinar series, Kevin Eskew, Sonnenschein Health Care Managing Director, presents a webinar titled, "Tactical Framework for a Clinical Trial Billing Audit," on November 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. This webinar will provide an overview of clinical trials billing (dynamics, accountabilities, regulations), identify the common areas of risk and issues that are usually cited in an audit and summarize strategic options for reducing risk. Read more and register for this event at http://www.ahia.org.
|
|
10-19-2009
|
Bruce Fried Speaks at the Oppenheimer 20th Annual Healthcare Conference in New York
Sonnenschein partner Bruce Merlin Fried will be the opening keynote speaker for the Oppenheimer 20th Annual Healthcare Conference. This conference, taking place at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on November 3-4, 2009, is for institutional clients of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and is open by invitation only. Mr. Fried will be speaking on "Health Reform & Managed Care: Implications and Implementation". The panel presentation begins at 8 a.m. on November 3rd and will be webcast live during the event. The webcast will be archived automatically about three hours after the live event concludes and will be available for 90 days through February 2, 2010. Click here to view the webcast.
|
|
10-14-2009
|
Rebecca Fayed Participates in HITECH Act Webinar
Sonnenschein attorney Rebecca Fayed will present during the "The Impact of the HITECH Act on HIPAA Compliance and Data Security: Clear Information Direct from the Legal Experts" webinar on October 21 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The 60-minute webinar is presented by Legal Experts and sponsored by Vormetric. Click here to register for this webinar.
|
|
10-05-2009
|
Ramy Fayed Named "Outstanding Young Healthcare Lawyer"
Ramy Fayed has been named to the Nightingale's Healthcare News list of "Outstanding Young Healthcare Lawyers." The list was published in the newsletter's September 2009 edition.
|
|
10-01-2009
|
Health Care Group Partners Author Second Edition of Stark Law Bestseller
A second, extensively revised, edition of The Stark Law: A User's Guide to Achieving Compliance has been published by HC Pro. Authored by Sonnenschein partners Ramy Fayed, Christopher Janney, Marci Rose Levine and Gadi Weinreich, this book (first published in 2005) provides hospitals, physicians and others with practical guidance from seasoned professionals, easy-to-implement tools, and over 175 real world examples -- all designed to help health care organizations comply with the Stark Law and its increasingly complex regulations.
|
|
09-25-2009
|
Rebecca Fayed Presents on Privacy and Security of Health Information at AHLA Conference
Sonnenschein attorney, Rebecca Fayed will present on "Privacy and Security of Health Information: HIPAA, HITECH and Red Flags" on November 3rd and November 4th in Chicago at AHLA's Fundamentals of Health Law Conference. The presentation will focus on the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, the HITECH Act and related agency rules and guidance, and the FTC's Red Flag Rules. This AHLA conference is tailored as a training program for new associates and in-house counsel as well as a refresher for experienced health lawyers. To learn more about the conference, visit the AHLA site.
|
|
09-25-2009
|
Thomas Hyatt Speaks at AHLA's Fundamentals of Health Law Conference
Thomas Hyatt is serving on the conference program faculty and presenting "Tax Exemption and Tax Issues" at the AHLA's Fundamentals of Health Law Conference on November 3rd at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Hyatt also will present alongside Barry Alexander, David Marx, Jr. and David E. Matyas during a presentation titled "Pulling It All Together - a Joint Venture Case Study" on November 4th at 3:00 p.m. This conference will be held November 2-4, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Download the AHLA Fundamentals of Health Law Conference brochure.
|
|
09-03-2009
|
Sonnenschein Attorneys Present at Compliance Seminar on FTC's New Market Manipulation Regulations
Sonnenschein partners and Federal Trade Commission and petroleum market experts Katherine Funk and Vince Murchison present "Nuances and Potential Impacts of the Final Rule on Participants in the Petroleum Markets" on Sept. 21 at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. This seminar is designed to assist industry participants in complying with the FTC's recent rulemaking on market manipulation in the petroleum industry, which takes effect Nov. 4. More information can be found at http://www.npra.org.
|
|
08-17-2009
|
Lisa Murtha presents at the AHLA Fraud & Compliance Forum
Lisa Murtha presents at the AHLA Fraud & Compliance Forum on October 5. Ms. Murtha presents, "Conflicts of Interest: The Final Research Compliance Frontier," 2:00-3:00pm, discussing recent cases and legislative updates on conflicts of interest and best practices related to conflicts of interest policies and disclosure procedures. Read more, here.
|
|
