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How quickly can you set up a corporation for my practice?” the physician asked the attorney over the telephone. “Why do you want to incorporate?” the attorney asked in return.

“If the lawyers are having fun, what does that say about federal health care reform?” joked the physician to his health care lawyer. “Democracy at work and a new car,” retorted the lawyer.

While no top ten list from the desk of a health lawyer could be complete given the ever-changing nature of the health care industry, here are a few significant legal issues to think about this year.

“We need to make a copy of your driver’s license,” insisted the young front desk assistant at the doctor’s office. “Why?” asked the reluctant gray-haired patient. “Well, this is just something we are required to do for HIPAA,” responded the assistant. “Really? What if I do not let you?” the patient huffed.

“What has happened in health care since the end of summer?” asked the wayfaring senior partner. “Seriously?” responded the frustrated junior associate.
A. Health reform plods along.
Much of what dominates the health care industry these days is

“Should we form an ACO?” questioned the primary care physician at a presentation by legal counsel at a business meeting of her medical group. “Do you mean an ACO or Medicare ACO?” replied the group’s general counsel. “What’s the difference?” quizzed the physician. “Well, quite a bit,” replied the lawyer.