PVWLaw Health Care Law Blog
HIRE Act Introduces New Tax Incentives for Employers For Hiring Employees
The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (“HIRE”) Act, signed into law March 18, 2010, includes several important tax provisions designed to promote job growth and stimulate the United States economy. Hire Now Tax Cut $13 billion in tax breaks are available to qualified employers both in the form of payroll forgiveness for Social Security taxes… Read More »
56 Organizations Agree on Priorities for “Meaningful Use” Program
According to recommendations from a large collaboration of organizations, the success of the new federal incentives program for health information technology (“HIT”) largely depends on a specific set of health improvement goals, a prioritized set of metrics, and the widespread participation of health care providers and patients. Health care leaders from 56 different organizations filed… Read More »
ASC ADVOCACY COMMITTEE LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN
A new website hyping ambulatory surgery centers (“ASCs”) is the showpiece of a new campaign launched by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Advocacy Committee (“ASCAC”). The ASCAC includes the national and state ASC associations as well as representatives of all types of ASC operators and physicians. The campaign is called “Advancing Surgical Care” and kicked off… Read More »
IRS WILL HONOR MEDICAL RESIDENT FICA REFUND CLAIMS
The Internal Revenue Service has made a determination to accept the position that medical residents are excepted from FICA payroll taxes based on the student exception for tax periods ending before April 1, 2005, when new IRS regulations went into effect. In recent years, the IRS has been involved in several court cases regarding the… Read More »
30 Day SGR Freeze Extension Passed in Senate
On March 2, 2010, the Senate passed a 30 day extension of the sustainable growth rate (“SGR”) freeze. The bill will now go to the President for his signature. The legislation extends the Medicare payment freeze through March 31, 2010, which will temporarily void the 21% reduction in Medicare reimbursements. This is only a… Read More »
REDUCTION IN MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENTS TAKES EFFECT
On March 1, 2010, the 21 percent overall cut in Medicare reimbursements to physicians became effective. However, it could still be averted by a month-long stay that the U.S. House passed on February 25, 2010; action is pending in the Senate. In the meantime, more physician practices are considering not accepting new Medicare patients. Many… Read More »
Healthcare Professionals Ask FTC for Exemption from Red Flag Rules
The heads of the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association have asked the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) to declare that its identity theft prevention rules (the “Red Flag Rules”) do not apply to their licensed professionals. Following the November 2009 United States District Court decision in American Bar Association v. FTC, which held… Read More »
PHYSICIANS: USE CARE WHEN AMENDING MEDICAL RECORDS
It is an important practice for physicians to review medical records to check for accuracy and completeness. Taking the time to amend medical records is a common practice. Obviously, the best practice is to complete records correctly the first time. However, physicians can make additions or corrections at a later point in time. The key… Read More »
How to Control the Costs of Adopting Electronic Medical Records
One of the growing trends for healthcare practices in 2010 is the adoption of electronic medical records (“EMR”). By managing the selection and adoption of EMR correctly, practices will save money in the long-term. Well-researched and efficient management of the selection and adoption process will help a healthcare practice cut costs and reduce frustration. The… Read More »
Senate Health Care Bill Overcomes Hurdle for Final Passage
Senate Democrats have obtained the needed 60th vote approving a procedural motion to move the health care reform bill toward final passage on Christmas Eve. Vote for final passage was 60-40, completely divided on party lines. Not one Republican in the Senate voted for the health care reform bill. Once the bill clears the Senate,… Read More »
