Rivkin Radler’s Michael Sirignano authored an article for the March 2 issue of the New York Law Journal entitled “Healthcare Fraud Tops DOJ’s Annual False Claims Act Report – Again!” The article discussed a report issued by the U.S. Department of Justice detailing the settlements and judgments it obtained under the federal False
COVID-19
COVID-19 PHE Ending on May 11
As many of our readers are no doubt already aware, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on February 9 that the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will end on May 11. The announcement gave payers, providers and states 90 days to prepare for policy changes.
As discussed here, most current Medicare…
Another Extension of Federal PHE
On January 11, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra formally renewed the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for another 90 days. The PHE, which originally went into effect on January 31, 2020, provides important flexibilities for healthcare providers and Medicare beneficiaries and waives key reporting requirements. Some important telehealth…
An Insurance Fraud Year in Review
Rivkin Radler’s Michael Sirignano authored an article for the January 5 issue of the New York Law Journal entitled “An Insurance Fraud Year in Review.” The article discussed various types of healthcare fraud for which the perpetrators were sentenced in 2022.
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Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities Extended
On December 23, the U.S. Congress passed the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023,” the omnibus budget bill for fiscal year 2023 (HR 2617). The bill includes several provisions relating to Medicare coverage of telehealth, including extending some of the flexibilities that became effective at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget bill for…
NY Pharmacy Owners Plead Guilty to Money Laundering During COVID-19
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on November 16 that two pharmacy owners from Forest Hills, New York have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering through submission of fraudulent claims to Medicare during the COVID-19 pandemic. The co-conspirators owned over a dozen pharmacies in the New York area, through which they submitted…
HHS Extends COVID-19 PHE Again
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Employer Alert: First Deadline to Claim NYS Healthcare Worker Bonus is September 2
As part of its 2023 state budget, New York State has allocated $1.2 billion for the payment of bonuses to certain frontline healthcare workers. This bonus program is intended to reward healthcare workers for their services during the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote employee retention and recruitment in the healthcare sector. Qualified employers who wish…
HHS Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Again
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HHS Issues Guidance on Provider Use of Audio-Only Telehealth
On June 13, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance to explain how audio-only telehealth can comply with HIPAA, while also emphasizing that this mode of telehealth services can expand healthcare access to individuals who may have limited internet and broadband capabilities.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020,…