Policy & Compliance

Expert Analysis

• No Surprises Act Creates Payment Challenges For Providers

  

  Since the implementation of the No Surprises Act last year, flaws in the federal Independent Dispute Resolution process — particularly enforceability issues — have left providers struggling to get paid for out-of-network emergency services, say Carrie Douglas and Julia Kowalsky at Bracewell.

• 3 Ways Justices' Disclosure Defenses Miss The Ethical Point

  

  The rule-bound interpretation of financial disclosures preferred by U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas — demonstrated in their respective statements defending their failure to disclose gifts from billionaires — show that they do not understand the ethical aspects of the public's concern, says Jim Moliterno at the Washington and Lee University School of Law.

• Preparing For New Scrutiny Of Consumer Medical Financing

  

  With U.S. health and consumer credit watchdogs soliciting feedback on medical credit cards and related loans, financial institutions and fintech companies that offer these payment products should prepare for potential increased regulatory scrutiny by taking steps to confirm their business practices prioritize patient well-being and financial security, say Benjamin Saul and Tarrian Ellis at Greenberg Traurig.

• Breaking Down The Long-Awaited HHS Info Blocking Rule

  

  Although the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General's final information-blocking enforcement rule is a step toward regulating conduct, there is still no rule for appropriate disincentives for provider-actors, leaving a significant enforcement gap, say attorneys at Sheppard Mullin.

• SEC Cybersecurity Rule Presents Burden For Health Care Cos.

  

  A new rule from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission aims to increase cybersecurity resiliency, but may only force regulated entities — particularly those in the health care space — to face a far more complicated environment with increased strategic and litigation risks, say Bess Hinson and Angad Chopra at Holland & Knight.

• Caregiver Flexibility Is Crucial For Atty Engagement, Retention

  

  As the battle for top talent continues post-pandemic, many firms are attempting to attract employees with progressive hybrid working environments — and supporting caregivers before, during and after an extended leave is a critically important way to retain top talent, says Manar Morales at The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance.

• Online Tracking Tech Brings HIPAA Compliance Risks

  

  Amid increasing scrutiny and litigation over uses of online tracking technology, it's critical for companies under the purview of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to carefully navigate website cookies' collection of protected health information, which may happen without website operators' knowledge, says Richard Sheinis at Hall Booth.

• Nursing Homes Must Prepare For Ownership Scrutiny

  

  Due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' designation of nursing home ownership changes as a high risk category, and increased transparency and notice obligations for changes in skilled nursing facility ownership set to take effect in Pennsylvania in October, owners should anticipate a heightened level of review and delays, say Mark Mattioli and Paula Sanders at Post & Schell.

• In-Office Engagement Is Essential To Associate Development

  

  As law firms develop return-to-office policies that allow hybrid work arrangements, they should incorporate the specific types of in-person engagement likely to help associates develop attributes common among successful firm leaders, says Liisa Thomas at Sheppard Mullin.

• A Judge's Pitch To Revive The Jury Trial

  

  Ohio state Judge Pierre Bergeron explains how the decline of the jury trial threatens public confidence in the judiciary and even democracy as a whole, and he offers ideas to restore this sacred right.

• How To Recognize And Recover From Lawyer Loneliness

  

  Law can be one of the loneliest professions, but there are practical steps that attorneys and their managers can take to help themselves and their peers improve their emotional health, strengthen their social bonds and protect their performance, says psychologist and attorney Traci Cipriano.

• Litigation Funding Disclosure Should Be Mandatory

  

  Despite the Appellate Rules Committee's recent deferral of the issue of requiring third-party litigation funding disclosure, such a mandate is necessary to ensure the even-handed administration of justice across all cases, says David Levitt at Hinshaw.

• 4 Employer Action Steps For New Mental Health Parity Rules

  

  A recently released guidance under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act reiterated that employers contracting with outside service providers to administer their health plans are not relieved of their compliance obligations — so all employers sponsoring a group health plan should consider four action items for success, say attorneys at Ice Miller.