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In rather dramatic fashion like the tornado in the Wizard of Oz, enforcement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) privacy law twirled into action. Two publicized cases telegraphed clearly will begin assessing significant monetary penalties.

On Tuesday, October 5, 2010, the federal government will host a workshop on legal issues related to the development of accountable care organizations (“ACOs”).

“You must form an ACO or you will miss the health reform boat,” said the health care consultant. “An ACO? Okay, I do not know what that is, but how do we get started?” replied the primary care physician. In the 1970s, we heard the acronym HMOs (health maintenance organizations), in the 1980s it was […]

While the days of junk faxes should be nearing an end, yet another story surfaces that demonstrates the deceptive side of the practice is still alive and, unfortunately, profitable. In May 2010, the Oregon Insurance Division (OID) reported that some Oregonians had been solicited by fax to buy “affordable health care” for $369 for an […]

“A ten percent tax on tanning salons?” the confused client asked. “Is that health reform?” he questioned again. “Are you asking or complaining?” the lawyer responded.  And, so the conversations go around the country as the health care industry begins what will be years of work analyzing and figuring out how to respond to the […]

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. 1. Health Reform Even though the health reform frenzy of late 2009 was stopped in its path by a […]