Florida “wrongful births” leave health care providers liable
According to Institute of Medicine statistics, approximately 98,000 Americans die each year as a result of medical errors that could have been prevented. This is an example of ‘wrongful death,’ a term recognizable to many. However, the term ‘wrongful birth’ may not provide the same familiarity, but is causing just as much commotion in the […]
July Issue of Medical Economics Features Article by George F. Indest III
By Cori Pope, The Health Law Firm The July 25, 2012, issue of Medical Economics features an article written by George F. Indest III, President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm. The article, “Beware Legal Ramifications of Unnecessary Tests,” discusses lists that were recently released by nine medical specialty societies on medical tests and procedures […]
Human Body Parts Discovered in Self-Storage Facility that Belonged to a Former Medical Examiner
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law A former medical examiner, who is accused of keeping the body parts of more than 100 people in his Pensacola storage facility, was arrested September 7, 2012. He now faces a felony charge of improper storage of hazardous […]
Students Graduating Medical School in Three Years
By Danielle M. Murray, J.D. To combat the nationwide shortage of primary care physicians and the increase in student debt, several medical schools around the country are offering the chance for students to finish school in three years, instead of four. According to a number of news articles, these programs are geared specifically toward medical […]
New Professional Liability Insurance Benefits for Health Professionals
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law I have been pleasantly surprised recently to discover that several professional liability insurance companies have raised their coverage amounts and added coverage in areas sorely needed by health professionals. I’m referring to coverage for incidents not necessarily related […]
Hydrocodone Combination Drugs Could Be Reclassified to Schedule II Category of Controlled Substances
By Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm, and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee voted 19 to 10 in favor of moving hydrocodone combination drugs from schedule III into the more restrictive schedule II category […]
Medical Negligence – An Accidental Overdose of Prescription Pain Pills Can Lead to Lawsuits
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law and Carole C. Schriefer, R.N., J.D., The Health Law Firm In February 2009, a 30-year-old male patient was prescribed, all together, 180 pills of Dilaudid and Xanax from a South Florida pain clinic. Sometime within the next 24 […]
Strike Force Busts 89 People, Mostly Health Care Professionals, in Nationwide Crackdown on Medicare Fraud
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In a nationwide takedown nearly 100 people, including doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, in eight cities were all allegedly charged in separate Medicare fraud schemes. These individual scams involved approximately $223 million in false billing, according to […]
Health Care Professionals and Providers Beware: The Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) Is Catching Fire
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law In May 2009, the Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) created the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT). HEAT’s mission is to focus its efforts on preventing and […]
Physician Payment Sunshine Act Deadline is Here-Are You Ready?
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law and Lance O. Leider, J.D., The Health Law Firm As of August 1, 2013, the Physician Payment Sunshine Act (Sunshine Act) goes into effect. The Sunshine Act, contained in Section 6002 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care […]
The American Academy of Family Physicians Releases Third List for Choosing Wisely Campaign
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law On September 24, 2013, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) released its third list of commonly prescribed tests and procedures that may not be necessary. This list is part of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) […]
Doctors’ Medicare Payment Data to be Released Spring 2014
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law For years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has kept private its records on Medicare claims payments made to individual physicians. However, beginning March 18, 2014, the government may disclose the payment data on a case-by-case […]
What Happens in the VA System Has Implications for all Health Care Professionals; FBI Investigates VA
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law The Veterans Administration healthcare system is at a crossroads. After the recent revelations about long wait times for veterans and systematic cover-ups, it is clear that reforms in the Veterans Health System are needed. On June 11, 2014, […]
Nurses: Locate a Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance Defense Attorney in Florida Company Cases
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law We are sometimes told by the health professionals we represent especially pharmacists, licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), massage therapists and physical therapists that after they received a complaint regarding their license from the […]