On Thursday, March 12, in the next installment of Rivkin Radler’s Health Law Executive Briefings, Tamika Hardy and Syma Shulman Levine will present “Restrictive Covenants and Related Topics in the Health Care Space and Beyond.” Moderated by Ben Malerba, the presenters will report on the law related to restrictive covenants including non-compete, non-solicitation, non-interference, and
Nest Health Launches In-Home Prenatal Program for Medicaid Patients in Louisiana
Maternal health has received increased attention in federal and state Medicaid reform efforts in recent years, particularly in states with elevated mortality and disparity metrics.[1] As Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations consider alternative ways of structuring prenatal care, some providers are expanding services beyond traditional clinic settings.
Nest Health recently launched Nest Origin…
Medical Aid in Dying Is Now Legal in NY
On February 6, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act (MAID), making New York the 13th state to adopt similar legislation along with the District of Columbia. MAID has created a new Article 28-F to the New York Public Health Law, which will be effective August 5, 2026.
What…
Expect Increase in FTC Noncompete Enforcement Despite Withdrawal of Nationwide Ban
Noncompete agreements remain in the Federal Trade Commission’s crosshairs. Although the FTC abandoned its pursuit of a nationwide ban, targeted enforcement is here, and the healthcare industry specifically has been placed on notice.
The Background
On September 5, 2025, the FTC announced it was walking away from its proposed national ban on noncompetes. However, in…
Medicare Telehealth Waivers Extended
On February 3, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R.7418), which extends certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027. These flexibilities were initially enacted by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising need for telehealth services.
The most important aspect of these flexibilities was that they permitted Medicare beneficiaries to…
Renewed Federal Focus On Abuses in Home Health Industry
Last month, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), accompanied by other CMS officials, visited with home health and hospice providers and related industry associations to discuss ways to strengthen program integrity enforcement. CMS was reacting to calls from industry stakeholders and members of Congress to get a handle…
New York Amends Shield Law
The New York “Shield Law” refers to several statutes intended to protect patients and providers seeking or offering services concerning gender-affirming care or abortion. These statutes were enacted in response to certain other states increasingly criminalizing these types of healthcare services. The Shield Law prohibits state cooperation with hostile actions, prevents the forced production of…
OIG Issues Favorable Advisory Opinion for Waiving Cost Sharing for Cancer Screening Test
In a recent Advisory Opinion (No. 26-01), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded that waiving cost sharing for certain commercially insured patients who receive a cancer screening test is permissible under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.
The opinion pertains to a clinical laboratory test that screens for…
OIG: Offering Bonuses to Employees for Referrals Implicates AKS and CMP
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently issued an unfavorable Advisory Opinion (No. 25‑12) addressing a home health care agency’s proposal to offer sign‑on bonuses to prospective employees who are in a position to refer patients (usually family members) to the employer for home care. The…
NYS Warns On Unlawful Activities by Med Spas
Earlier this month, the New York Department of State (DOS) published a warning to consumers following an extensive investigation of so-called “med spas.” The DOS’s Division of Licensing led the investigation, in which 223 businesses were inspected.
The publication initially addressed the need for businesses that hold themselves out to the public as med spas…
Health Law Executive Briefings: Dealing with Rapidly Changing Government Healthcare Policy Changes
The healthcare industry is facing dramatic changes in government policy with huge consequences impacting the economics and survival of many providers. Last fall, Rivkin Radler entered into a Strategic Affiliation with Liberty Partners Group, a leading healthcare lobbying firm, to afford our clients access to key government officials and agencies.
Please join us on January…
