Health Care Law
New Rules Increase Incentives to Join an ACO
Physicians can now participate in an accountable care organization (“ACO”) without facing financial penalties for failing to achieve savings targets. This new rule is among several released by CMS designed to increase the incentives for hospitals and physicians to join an ACO. Other new rules include lowering the requirement of participants in an ACO… Read More »
Is Your Criminal Background Check Policy Legal?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has determined that use of arrest and conviction records to deny employment may be illegal when such records are not relevant for a particular position. Denying employment based on irrelevant arrest and conviction records may unjustly limit the employment opportunities of individuals based on their race or ethnicity. … Read More »
OSHA AUDITS TARGET NEEDLESTICK PREVENTION
OSHA is currently conducting surprise audits emphasizing the prevention of needlestick injuries. The initial focus is on ambulatory surgical centers and primary care medical facilities in the southeast portions of the United States, but the audits could expand to other geographical areas soon. OSHA regulations on needlestick injuries include: · Reviewing and updating your Exposure… Read More »
Nebraska Will Wait to Implement Health Care Exchanges
Governor Heineman recently said Nebraska will wait to set up a health care exchange until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on whether the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Act”) is constitutional. The health care exchanges are intended to offer health insurance to those currently without coverage. While Nebraska is planning a program in… Read More »
Small Business Health Relief Act designed to repeal pieces of Health Care legislation
A recent bill introduced to Congress includes provisions that, if passed, result in repeal of certain PPACA (“Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”) provisions. The bill repeals certain requirements dealing with shared responsibility for employers and requiring employer reporting of health insurance coverage. The bill allows reimbursement for over the counter medication by repealing the PPACA provision prohibiting the same. The… Read More »
Vote Scheduled for House Attempt to Repeal Healthcare Law
The house is scheduled to vote January 12 on repeal of the healthcare legislation passed last year. At this point, the effort is unexpected to succeed.
