Healthcare Reform

5 Key Points About the CDC’s Updated Opioid Prescribing Guidelines

February 13, 2023 | Caitlin Lentz

opioid-painkillers-crisis-and-drug-abuse-concept-o-49X49YX-e1676319930781 After the CDC issued its 2016 Opioid Prescribing Guideline, which focused on recommendations for primary care physicians, many physicians greatly limited prescribing opioids. This was in response to the opioid epidemic in our country which had an impact on reducing opioid abuse. However, it also may have left patients undertreated for pain given the 2016 guideline’s emphasis on not prescribing opioids. In November 2022, the CDC issued updated guidance for a broader group of clinicians. This blog series provides an overview of the more-than-60-page CDC guidance. This first blog will provide an overview of what the guidance is intended to accomplish and how it is presented. Our attorneys are experienced in advising healthcare businesses and pain management practices. If you have pain management prescribing questions or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@hamillittle.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.hamillittle.com.

First, the updated guidance “is intended for clinicians who are treating outpatients aged ≥18 years with acute (duration of <1 month), subacute (duration of 1–3 months), or chronic (duration of >3 months) pain, and excludes pain management related to sickle cell disease, cancer-related pain treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care.” Continue reading ›

Georgia State Telemedicine Rules

March 29, 2022 | Caitlin Lentz

tixeo-virtual-openspace-300x202 Our healthcare and business law firm previously published a blog post on the federal telemedicine rules. Both Federal and State rules govern the provision of telemedicine. Each state’s rules governing telemedicine are different, but the applicable laws and rules are generally found in the state medical board’s rules, insurance code, and Medicaid rules. This post focuses specifically on the telemedicine rules applicable to the practice of telemedicine in Georgia. There are specific rules governing prescribing via telemedicine, which are not covered by this post. If you have questions about telemedicine rules or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@hamillittle.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.hamillittle.com.

Georgia Insurance Code’s Definition of Telemedicine

The Georgia Composite Medical Board (“Medical Board”) generally requires an in-person exam, but the Medical Board Rules allow telemedicine in certain situations. The relevant definition of “telemedicine” is found in Georgia’s insurance code and defines “telemedicine” as:

Medicare’s New Telehealth Rule for Mental Health Treatment

March 25, 2022 | Caitlin Lentz

MM-0220-Telemedicine-iStock-e1581381176331-1024x814-1-e1631301250783 Given the increased use of telehealth during the Public Health Emergency (“PHE”), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) passed a final rule modifying the rules around when Medicare will reimburse for mental health visits. A previous blog post analyzed Federal laws and rules governing telehealth visits, including the general Medicare rules applicable during the PHE. This post analyzes the changes to the Medicare telehealth reimbursement rules for mental health treatment that begin the day after the PHE ends. Note, there are different rules when treatment includes for substance abuse disorders. If you have questions about telemedicine rules or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@hamillittle.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.hamillittle.com.

Essential Requirements Under Medicare’s New Rule

HB 458: Georgia Legislation Responding to Sexual Misconduct in Healthcare & New Mandatory Reporting Requirements

August 7, 2021 | Caitlin Lentz

medical-doctor-1314902-m In our previous post reviewing the Georgia Composite Medical Board’s (“Medical Board” or “GCMB”) June Monthly Meeting Minutes, we touched on the Medical Board’s acknowledgment of House Bill 458. Herein, our healthcare and business law firm analyzes more thoroughly the new law and its impact on Georgia physicians and the Medical Board. If you have licensing or other GCMB questions or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@hamillittle.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.hamillittle.com.

HB 458 amends Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia in varied ways to accomplish the following goals:

Georgia Medical Board May Monthly Meeting Minutes Review

July 16, 2021 | Caitlin Lentz

iStock_000033418316_Medium-e1626470315777 Welcome to the first installment of our business and healthcare law firm’s monthly medical board meeting review, focusing on the Georgia Composite Medical Board (“GCMB” or “Medical Board”). As a healthcare law firm with many physician clients, it is our duty to stay up to date with the Medical Board’s positions and changes so as to better inform our clients. We hope that by providing a review of the Medical Board’s monthly meeting minutes, our readers and provider clients will be able to better navigate the Medical Board successfully. If you have licensing or other GCMB questions or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@hamillittle.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.hamillittle.com.

The Medical Board meets once a month to uphold its directives under the Medical Practice Act, which allow the Medical Board to do, among other things, the following: review applications for licensure, interview applicants when necessary or requested, investigate complaints, discuss proposed rules and rule modifications, review and publish public orders, and allow for committee meetings.

May Meeting

The Medical Board met on May 6, 2021 via video teleconference. The May monthly meeting minutes are available here. The Medical Board also publicly releases public orders and agreements each month.

THE METEORIC RISE IN IMPORTANCE OF TELEMEDICINE

April 13, 2020 | Kevin S. Little

As patients, naturally we intend to go to the doctor to get well. But there is a catch 22. What if the trip to the doctor or the emergency room to be made well might cause us to get sick, or more sick? Or what if we make the doctor sick, impairing his ability to care for other patients? Such risks have always existed to a degree, but nothing like today, during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Georgia-based Telemedicine Lawyers

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The extraordinary, unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and staggering fallout has cast new and very bright light on telemedicine and its potential efficacies in providing safe health care. Above all, telehealth benefits include ability to provide healthcare without no risk of COVID spread, a serious health risk for both patient and healthcare practitioner to avoid that will necessarily attend both commuting and in-person interaction. Telemedicine offers another way to “go to” the doctor and for the doctor to render care, free of the risk of virus spread. Apart from all other advantages and conveniences of telemedicine, the paramount importance of health and safety (of both healthcare practitioner and patient) have never been underscored so forcefully.

Time For Change: Potential Modification To Federal Healthcare Laws May Allow For Better Care Coordination Between Providers

November 21, 2019 | Emily Burchfield, Guest Author

medical-doctor-1314902-m As technology improves the ability for providers to communicate, existing healthcare laws will continue to be put to the test. Now, a new call for care coordination is driving quality improvement initiatives for physicians and hospitals. In 2018, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched its initiative “Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care,” to facilitate value-based healthcare and promote effective communication strategies between physicians. The Regulatory Sprint seeks to increase a patient’s ability to understand their treatment plan, promote coordination between providers, establish incentives for providers to coordinate efficient care, and encourage information-sharing between providers and facilities.

Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Lawyers

The initiative highlights the importance of removing the barriers created by four federal healthcare laws: the Physician Self-Referral Law; the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); and substance-disorder treatment rules stemming from 42 CFR Part 2. Previously, critics have claimed that the monetary penalty provisions within the statutes prevent providers from being able to adequately coordinate care. In response, HHS has proposed Stark Law and Anti-Kickback reforms.

Could Retail Pharmacies Work Together to Help End the Opioid Crisis?

October 2, 2019 | Emily Burchfield, Guest Author

pills-2-300x225 More than 2,000 opioid lawsuits are pending nationwide. A large portion of these lawsuits target drug manufacturing companies for their contributions to the opioid epidemic that is plaguing the country.

Georgia and South Carolina Pain Management Medical Practice Law Firm

For example, in one case earlier this summer in Oklahoma, a judge ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $572 million for the company’s contribution to the opioid crisis. Furthermore, over the next few months, other courts will continue to handle cases as state governments work diligently to mitigate the impacts that the opioid epidemic has had within their jurisdictions. Although Big-Pharma companies are being targeted in litigation, however, retail pharmacies, large and small, are gatekeepers for opioid prescriptions. Given the role of pharmacies, they might be used effectively to combat the opioid epidemic. The role of retail pharmacies in the battle against opioid addiction is crucial, but not necessarily recognized by city governments. A new databank from the DEA tracks opioids at a local level, and makes it possible for pharmacies to band together in understanding unique trends within their own communities.

Four Pain Management Clinics Under Investigation for Fraud Closed Abruptly

May 14, 2019 | Lee H. Little

balance-1172800-1-300x204 This month, the abrupt closing of four Tennessee pain management clinics under investigation for state and federal health insurance fraud made headlines. Those clinics, formerly affiliated with PainMD and rebranded as Rinova, closed last week. Federal authorities alleged that PainMD and its parent company inflated profits by providing patients with unnecessary injections to be paid by federal health insurance programs. Authorities of the state of Tennessee initiated their own investigation, with concerns that the conduct of clinic personnel may violate state law.

Georgia Pain Management and DEA Defense Law Firm

In the PainMD pain clinic investigations, not only were the companies and clinic administrators at risk for financial penalties and reputational harm in connection with potential fraud, but so were the health providers who worked at those clinics. Three PainMD nurses were indicted on federal charges in connection with procedures provided at the Tennessee clinics under investigation.

New “Tools” for Prescription Drug Enforcement

February 14, 2019 | Adam Harper, Guest Author

pill-shadows-1200049 The exposure and concern surrounding the opioid epidemic is at an all time high. Notwithstanding the urgency of the issue itself, this publicity places increased pressure on the intervening parties—sub-agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice (DOJ) and state Attorney’s General—to implement regimens that make a difference. Our Georgia-based business and healthcare law firm follows developments that impact pain management physicians and medical practices.

At the Federal level, the DOJ is focused on taking steps to strategically intervene into physicians and pharmacies. Accordingly, the DOJ has expanded its enforcement to release a new tactic in the form of temporary restraining orders (TRO) against pharmacies that have violated the False Claims Act and the Controlled Substances Act. This tactic proved successful in a Tennessee District Court on January 13, 2019.