On March 18, 2020, the President signed into law congressional legislation responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”) is a broad federal package that includes additional...more
Several of the provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) passed by the Senate on March 25 relate to laboratory diagnostic testing for the COVID-19 virus....more
On Thursday, March 19, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act), which contains provisions to provide emergency assistance for individuals, families and...more
The following legislation was signed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on March 19, 2020: A-3860 authorizes the use of telemedicine by both New Jersey licensed practitioners and those from out-of-state, in accordance with...more
Emergency paid sick leave legislation, known as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), has moved in dramatic fashion through Congress, first being passed by the U.S. House of Representatives shortly after...more
On Wednesday, March 18, the President signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act after the United States Senate passed HR 6201. This legislation contains a number of provisions that remove cost-barriers to COVID-19...more
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) requiring group health plans to cover COVID-19 testing for free and without preauthorization. This means no deductibles, no...more
At about 7:30 p.m. on March 18, President Trump signed a bill into law containing two significant leave provisions that affect nearly every small to mid-sized employer in the country. This law, entitled the Families First...more
As part of Spilman's and our COVID-19 Task Force's continuing effort to partner with you during this public health emergency, we’ve been monitoring Congress’ work on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("Act"). This...more
The federal government is actively working to adopt the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) into law in an effort to help combat the current COVID-19 health pandemic sweeping our nation. While the final text and...more
On March 14, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives, with the support of the President, overwhelmingly approved a bill known as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201). The legislation is scheduled to be...more
Late Monday, March 16, 2020, the House of Representatives approved several last-minute changes to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), which was originally passed by the House on March 14, 2020. These...more
On March 11, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2020-15 to clear up concerns about whether high-deductible health plans (HDHP) could cover all costs for testing and treatment of 2019 Novel Coronavirus...more
In Advisory Opinion 20-02, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) approved certain lodging and travel assistance offered by a pharmaceutical manufacturer to patients being administered a drug manufactured by the pharmaceutical...more
In Advisory Opinion 19-03, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) approved a program proposed by a medical center that has been providing free, in-home follow-up care to eligible individuals with congestive heart failure...more
A recent Office of Inspector General (OIG) advisory opinion approved a proposal under which a hospital has established a caregiver center that provides or arranges for free or reduced-cost support services to caregivers in...more
In what is becoming a steady trend, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) published another favorable opinion for an arrangement seeking to implement programs that support and engage family members who are increasingly...more
On May 7, 2018, the OIG issued a favorable advisory opinion, No. 18-02, regarding an arrangement that would allow a medical device distributor (Requestor) to provide free sample ostomy products to federal health care program...more
A federal court recently dealt a victory to a health care provider over whistleblower allegations that free parking and valet service at a medical office building violated the Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute....more
A new safe harbor was recently issued by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) that permits eligible health care providers to offer free or discounted transportation to established patients....more
Enforcement - OIG Issues Advisory Opinion Allowing Free or Reduced-Cost Lodging and Meals - On March 3, 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued...more
In Advisory Opinion 17-01, published March 10, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) approved an academic medical center's proposal to provide free or reduced-cost lodging and...more
Just in time for the New Year, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued final regulations (Final Regulations) that revised two existing Anti-Kickback Statute safe...more
On December 7, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a final rule to establish new safe harbors under the anti-kickback statute and civil monetary penalty (CMP) rules,...more
On December 7, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), issued a final rule creating additional “safe harbors” for the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (42 USC § 1320a-7b(b) et...more