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Capabilities / Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance Counseling

Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance Counseling

Following the rules.

It is difficult to play by the rules when there are so many of them – especially when they keep changing. Husch Blackwell helps clients develop and implement programs and policies that mitigate risk and ensure compliance with the complex web of healthcare rules and regulations. From Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement to Stark Law, anti-kickback statute, HIPAA, and clinical research matters, we focus on compliance so our clients can focus on their business.

When potential violations are alleged, we are vocal advocates. Our attorneys aggressively defend clients’ positions, either convincing the government to drop its pursuit or negotiating favorable resolutions for our clients.

Our guidance to clients on healthcare regulatory and compliance counseling includes:

Audit defense

When serious compliance concerns arise, Husch Blackwell represents corporate and individual providers in developing strategies to address potential violations. Our experience includes conducting internal investigations, responding to subpoenas and requests for interviews of employees, presenting defenses to the government’s purported findings, and negotiating the settlement of civil and criminal charges.

Fraud and abuse

Our attorneys work with healthcare clients to minimize civil and criminal exposure to fraud and abuse – and to secure the best possible outcomes when violations are alleged. Whether developing a compliance strategy, responding to a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation or negotiating a settlement, our Healthcare team considers not only the legal issues but also the operational and management concerns that healthcare organizations face when fraud and abuse are alleged.

Healthcare investigations and government enforcement

Our attorneys have been involved with healthcare fraud investigations not only as defense counsel but also as prosecutors, giving our team substantial insight into the government’s thinking and the processes it follows in pursuing cases. Our experienced team guides clients in conducting internal investigations; responding to government enforcement actions; appealing regulatory actions; and defending civil and criminal False Claims Act, anti-kickback, and fraud allegations.

Representative Experience

  • Represented a multistate pharmacy benefits management company in federal grand jury investigation regarding alleged Medicare and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) fraud.
  • Represented national home healthcare provider in parallel criminal and civil False Claims Act investigations. The global resolution included a deferred prosecution agreement and civil settlements with the United States and more than 30 states, as well as a corporate integrity agreement with the OIG.
  • Overturned immediate jeopardy citations and sanctions for skilled nursing facilities through the federal appeals process.
  • Defended pharmaceutical manufacturer in a criminal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation regarding quality controls, validation of manufacturing protocols, and timeliness and accuracy of field alert submissions.
  • Represented nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospices in false claims investigations, including allegations of Medicare fraud.
  • Represented a durable medical equipment provider in federal whistleblower matter alleging fraudulent billing practices.
  • Represented multiple pharmacies in Medicaid false claims investigations and settlements.
  • Negotiated settlement with the regional office of the CMS and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to avoid termination of a skilled-nursing facility.
  • Served as lead counsel for a health system during a four-year criminal and civil investigation by the DOJ, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and OIG on matters related to billing issues and physician relationships. The matter was ultimately resolved through settlement, and the criminal investigation of key personnel was closed with no charges being filed.
  • Counseled a Rocky Mountain hospital in conducting an internal investigation and voluntary disclosure to the OIG regarding physician employment arrangements and a joint venture with physicians. The matter was resolved with a monetary settlement at a figure far below single damages exposure, and no corporate integrity agreement was imposed.
  • Represented a rural hospital in a local criminal investigation based on allegations of improper conduct and patient care by a formerly employed nurse.
  • Counseled a large hospital system during investigation by the FBI on matters related to transplant activities. The matter was closed with no charges being brought against the hospital or its employees.
  • Defended an organization operating a group home in a state criminal trial with charges of manslaughter and neglect related to the death of a resident. All of the organization’s employees pled guilty to charges of neglect and cooperated with government prosecution, however, the jury acquitted the organization on the manslaughter charge.
  • Defended a large pharmaceutical business organization during investigation and revocation proceedings initiated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) related to controlled substances.
  • Advised a large pharmaceutical business organization during investigation by postal inspectors, OIG and U.S. Attorney related to allegations of kickbacks and other illegal conduct in the sales of prescriptive drugs.
  • Represented an internal medicine physician practice in government investigation and civil litigation related to an extremely high-profile FBI case involving a Kansas City pharmacist who diluted prescription drugs.
  • Defended numerous healthcare clients before government and regulatory agencies and contractors, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Departmental Appeals Board, CMS, RAC, and the Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPIC), for alleged violations of the Social Security Act, Code of Federal Regulations, and Medicare coverage and billing policies.
  • Assisted institutions in evaluating compliance with federal research regulations in connection with informed consent and Institutional Review Boards (IRB) issues, NIH Grants Policy Statement, and related federal regulations and investigations in the area of pediatric and adult research.
  • Conducted internal compliance investigations of suspected Medicaid overpayments.
  • Counseled clients through audits and compliance checks by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), including strategies to avoid potential affected class findings with the OFCCP and the Department of Labor.
  • Drafted uniform medical staff bylaws for compliance with the Joint Commission standard MS.01.01.01 on behalf of a multistate health system.
  • Led a top-to-bottom review and enhancement of the compliance program for one of the world’s leading medical device manufacturers, including its clinical trials, sales, marketing and investigations policies, procedures, and implementation.
  • Prepared and reviewed clinical trial informed consent documents necessary for medical trials and experiments, particularly in life sciences, pharmaceutical, and medical device studies.
  • Serve as primary outside counsel for one of the nation’s leading pediatric medical centers, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. We advise the hospital on compliance and regulatory matters, particularly dealing with state Medicaid programs and unique state requirements for disclosures and refunds.
  • Serve as primary outside healthcare counsel for an eight-hospital nonprofit health system headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. We have represented the system and its facilities for more than 40 years in a wide range of matters, including regulatory compliance and research compliance.
  • Serve as primary outside healthcare counsel for an 11-hospital nonprofit health system that has hospitals in Kansas, Colorado and Montana. Guidance includes regulatory compliance and reimbursement matters.
  • Served as lead counsel for a healthcare system in conducting an internal investigation, making a self-disclosure and negotiating a settlement with the Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) and DOJ, including defending the hospital from litigation brought by a physician included in the self-disclosure. The firm negotiated a first-of-its-kind settlement.
  • Settled a Stark Law violation with the Department of Justice and the HHS OIG after a multiyear internal investigation, self-disclosure, and extensive negotiations. The matter was resolved with no criminal charges, no admissions of False Claims Act violations, and no imposition of a corporate Integrity agreement or government oversight.
  • Developed a multi-state guardianship and consent matrix and decision tool for client currently being utilized by providers in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming to help front line personnel navigate sensitive and oftentimes highly controversial situations related to the terminally ill and end of life decisions, durable power of attorney and healthcare proxies, minor consent issues, and guardianship.
Speaking Engagements | February 20, 2024
Speaker, "Medicare Auditing and Legal Update," WiHPCA Webinar
Webinar | November 2020
Health Law & Innovation Virtual Series - Health Law 2021: A Legislative Outlook

Health Law & Innovation Virtual Series

Webinar | October 2020
Health Law & Innovation Virtual Series - Vaccine: Hope and Controversy

Health Law & Innovation Virtual Series

Webinar | July 2, 2020
Return to Campus Planning: Practical Considerations in the Age of COVID-19

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | June 22, 2020
Return to Sport from COVID-19

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | April 21, 2020
COVID-19: Labor and Employment Issues in Higher Education

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | March 20, 2020
Hiring to Firing and Everything in Between: Coronavirus/COVID-19 - Update for Employers

Hiring to Firing and Everything in Between Webinar Series

News Releases | January 17, 2023
Husch Blackwell's Vane Earns Texas Board of Legal Specialization Certification for Legislative and Campaign Law

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization Certifies Mark Vane for Legislative and Campaign Law

News Releases | November 07, 2022
Husch Blackwell Elects 29 to 2023 New Partner Class
News Releases | April 01, 2022
Husch Blackwell Adds Two Healthcare Partners to Virtual Office

Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce that Lisa T. Thomas and Bryan Stewart have joined the firm’s Healthcare, Life Sciences & Education industry group as partners.

News Releases | November 22, 2021
Morgan Goulet Joins Husch Blackwell's Providence Office

Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce that Morgan Goulet has joined the firm as Senior Counsel in its Providence office.

News Releases | September 01, 2021
Husch Blackwell's Boston, Providence Offices Open
News Releases | January 13, 2020
Husch Blackwell Lands Two Healthcare Groups in Wisconsin

“That two prominent groups of lawyers from two different firms see the same potential and opportunity at Husch Blackwell speaks volumes about our firm’s commitment to Madison and the larger Wisconsin market,” said Paul Eberle, Husch Blackwell’s Chief Executive.

The Husch Blackwell attorney team is immediately responsive to requests for their time and consultation. They are my most trusted advisors for all things regulatory at the state and federal levels. Exceptionally responsive, knowledgeable, and very nice people in addition. Just a delight to work with.

Director of capital and facilities planning, integrated healthcare system