Professional Representation Designed With The Needs Of Health Care Professionals In Mind

The operational landscape for physicians, physician groups, psychologists, physical therapists and other professionals and practices has never been more complex. Not only are the standards of patient care extremely high and under tremendous scrutiny, but the way in which physicians and other health care professionals operate their practices is constantly analyzed and subject to scrutiny by government enforcement authorities and private insurance companies.

At Williamson Health Law, we are committed to helping physicians, other professionals and their practices navigate the most complicated aspects of the business side of practicing medicine. With more than 20 years of experience handling matters in many nuanced areas of practice for clients throughout metro Detroit, Michigan, and nationwide, our attorneys have the insight and knowledge needed to protect you and your business. We tailor our services to your specific needs. We can assist you on a one-time basis or for an ongoing period.

Representing Many Types Of Providers

You do not have to navigate the legal complexities of your practice alone. Allow us to guide you so that you can focus on your patients. We assist a wide range of provider types with their legal needs, such as:

• Physicians and Physician Groups
• Psychologists and Other Mental Health Professionals and Practices
• Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapists and Therapy Businesses
• Chiropractors and Chiropractic Practices
• Podiatrists and Podiatry Practices
• Dentists and Dental Practices
• Advanced Practice Providers

These are just a few examples of the many types of providers we represent. We look forward to discussing your practice with you in order to tailor an approach specific to your needs.

The attorneys at Williamson Health Law often serve as “general counsel” to small and medium-sized health care providers without their own in-house counsel.  While Williamson Health Law attorneys are focused on health care law, they have experience managing and overseeing the full range of legal services required by health care clients.

The attorneys at Williamson Health Law provide corporate and transactional legal services to health care professionals, hospitals, and businesses, including:

• Health Care Mergers, Acquisitions, and Sale of Practice
• Health Care Entity Formation, Reorganization, and Corporate Transactions
• Health Care Agreements
  • IT Contracts
  • Supply Chain Contracts
  • Employment and Independent Contractor Agreements
  • Equipment and Space Lease Agreements
  • Payer Agreements
  • Clinical Trial Agreements
  • Joint Ventures
  • Management and Administrative Services Agreements
  • Billing Services Agreements
  • Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements
  • Medical Records Custody Agreements
  • HIPAA Business Associate Agreements
• Counsel on legal issues related to e-health initiatives and represents clients in transactions involving information technology
• Health Care Business Succession Planning & Professional Wills

Balancing your business goals against the vast landscape of health laws and regulations you must follow may feel like an impossible task at times. The Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) are just two examples of laws that are meant to prevent fraud and abuse among health care providers by regulating referrals of patients receiving Medicare, Medicaid or other federal health care program services.

At Williamson Health Law, our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience in the health law field. We understand the needs of our clients because representing health care providers and health systems is all we do. We regularly provide Stark opinions and analysis to assist clients in creating arrangements that both comply with the law and further their business goals.

Stark Opinions And Analysis

Whether you are structuring a new entity, entering into a new transaction or maintaining a long-standing arrangement, you should make sure it follows Stark Law and AKS. Our attorneys can analyze and opine on a variety of arrangements under Stark ownership and compensation exceptions, and AKS exceptions and safe harbors.

In addition to Stark Law and AKS, we can advise you regarding other state and federal regulations that may affect your practice.

Structuring Transactions For Compliance

As with most laws, the best way to avoid Stark Law and AKS problems is to structure your practice and its transactions properly from the outset. We understand these laws and with this understanding, we’re able to advise clients on compliant arrangements and transactions. We can help you create strategic solutions that fit within your business practice and minimize risk. A periodic review of your transactions will help keep you in compliance.

Self-Disclosure Protocols

Health care providers who discover actual or potential violations have the option of preparing self-disclosures under the Stark Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol and the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) Provider Self-Disclosure Protocol. Self-disclosure allows providers to resolve problems of noncompliant financial relationships and possible overpayment liability. If you discover a potential violation of these laws, we have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process to improve the likelihood of a resolution.

Our attorneys advise health care providers on a variety of regulatory and compliance issues, including:

• Compliance with Michigan health care and insurance laws and regulations
• Compliance with and interpretation of Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross, and other payer regulations and rules
• Advice on payer contract requirements and disputes with payers
• Revisions to and drafting of required practice policies, procedures, and forms
• Advice regarding voluntary disclosures of Medicare and private payer overpayments

At Williamson Health Law, our lawyers have experience assisting health care providers of all types and sizes with implementing and maintaining their compliance plans. Examples of our services include:

• Drafting Compliance Programs tailored to the provider’s organization
• Conducting compliance audits
• Developing and conducting Compliance Program training
• Leading compliance investigations and responding to identified problems
• Counseling providers regarding sensitive refund and disclosure issues

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) require health care professionals to follow strict rules regarding patient confidentiality. As a provider, you must have the proper planning and training in place in order to navigate these laws and avoid breaches of the vast amounts of confidential patient information you handle on a regular basis. If a breach does happen, there are certain actions you must take.

Williamson Health Law assists health care systems and providers of all types throughout Michigan to understand the technical requirements of their HIPAA compliance matters. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined legal experience in the field of health care law and have garnered multiple service awards. We understand how critical HIPAA compliance is to your ongoing operations.

Crafting HIPAA And HITECH Policies And Procedures

HIPAA privacy and security rules require covered entities and business associates to have policies, procedures and forms in place meant to engender compliance. We will help you devise a plan tailored to the needs of your practice and draft all necessary documents.

We also assist providers with HIPAA and HITECH compliance in a number of other ways, including:

• Handling HIPAA breaches – Under HIPAA, a breach of patient information requires the provider to take several important actions, including proper notifications to the patient and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). We will assist you with taking all necessary steps, including required corrective action.
• Responding to Office for Civil Rights (OCR) complaints – If OCR pursues a complaint against you regarding a HIPAA violation, we can help you with a proper and timely response.
• Drafting and negotiating business associate agreements – Under HIPAA, anyone who provides services on your behalf must be covered by a business associate agreement if they work with any protected health information. We can both draft and negotiate such agreements on your behalf.
• Conducting HIPAA compliance audits and training – In addition to written policies and procedures, HIPAA requires entities to provide employee training. We can review your policies and training to assess your risk and advise you regarding any updates or changes you may need to implement.

Williamson Health Law focuses exclusively on representing health care systems and providers. You can rely on our extensive knowledge to direct you toward proper compliance with these laws, as well as other statutes, rules and regulations that affect your practice. Consider us your ongoing resource for any questions or concerns you have regarding these matters.

Talk To Us About HIPAA

We know all aspects of HIPAA, HITECH and other health care information privacy laws. Let us use our knowledge and insight to help you and your practice. To schedule a consultation with an experienced lawyer at our firm, use our contact form or call Deborah Williamson at 734-789-7948.

At some point, nearly every health care provider, from solo practitioners to group practices, will face Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance audits of services and payments. These audits are undertaken by a variety of organizations that scrutinize all aspects of billed services, including medical records and billing records, often resulting in overpayments.

Regardless of the type of audit, you will benefit from having a lawyer with experience in these often-complex cases guiding you through the process and defending any demands for repayment. At Williamson Health Law, we have extensive experience advising health care providers in the appeals process.

Guidance In Medicare And Medicaid Appeals

We handle state-specific appeal cases across Michigan, and we handle Medicare appeals for clients nationwide. Our firm is prepared to assist you at any stage of the appeals process.

Simply because a private payer audit concludes that overpayments were made does not mean that this is accurate or reflective of the specific facts in your case. We will help you analyze the results of an audit, the impact those results can have on your business and your options for appealing the results.

Private Payer Audits And Appeals

As with Medicare and Medicaid audits, we are prepared to assist you at all stages of the audit and appeal process involving private payers. We often defend physicians and their practices against allegations regarding lack of documentation or medical necessity. We know the negative impact a private payer audit can have on your business. Our attorneys can guide you in appealing these decisions and argue that the results were incorrect.

Appeals Of Disaffiliation And Departicipation

When a payer decides to disaffiliate or departicipate a provider after an audit, it can have a serious negative effect on the practice. We assist clients with appealing disaffiliation and participation termination.

In addition, we offer our clients a wide range of tailored services, including compliance with and interpretation of Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield and other payer rules and regulations.

Learn More About Audits And Appeals

We are here to provide you with the information you need to understand the audit process as well as your ability to appeal the results. To discuss your questions and concerns directly with a member of our esteemed legal team during a consultation, use our contact form or call Deborah Williamson at 734-789-7948.

Physicians and other medical professionals are required to maintain professional licenses issued by a state board, which certifies them as eligible to practice the profession in the state. However, events may trigger investigations that could ultimately lead to formal administrative complaints that, if not properly defended, could result in limitations on or the suspension of a professional license.

If you are involved in a professional license investigation and need guidance, Williamson Health Law  is here to assist. We represent licensed health care professionals of all types, including physicians, psychologists, social workers and chiropractors throughout metro Detroit and all of Michigan in defending complaints against professional licenses. Our attorneys are experienced in handling these often-complex matters. We can help you evaluate the merit of the complaint, assess the potential for substantiation, and manage your risk, and we use our knowledge to structure a strong case and advocate for the best and least disruptive outcome.

When Licenses Are In Jeopardy

There are many situations that can lead to an investigation of your licensure as a medical professional. The types of events that can trigger an investigation may include:

• Complaints lodged by patients or family members of patients
• Complaints by other licensees
• Issues involving your employer or a larger health care organization
• Criminal charges, whether related to your personal life or employment
• Audits

Regardless of the situation, it is essential that you retain an attorney to ensure that your rights are protected. We will step in at any stage of the complaint and investigation process, although the earlier we become involved, the more thoroughly we can protect you and your license. Preferably, we are involved at the point of first contact by the state agency.

We have experience representing providers in investigations by the Bureau of Health Professions (BHP) and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), the organizations that typically lead investigations into professional licensure issues. If you are contacted by someone from LARA or other professional licensing organizations, or if you find out that you are the subject of a complaint and/or investigation, contact our office for a consultation.

Get More Information On Professional License Defense

To further discuss your questions and concerns about your professional license and what an investigation may mean for you, consult with a member of our highly skilled legal team today using our contact form or call Deborah Williamson at 734-789-7948 to schedule an appointment.

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The information on this website is provided for informational purposes only
and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information on this website should be construed as legal advice and is not intended to be a substitute for legal counsel. Contacting the law firm through this website or email does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not protected by the attorney-client privilege. No confidential information should be included in any inquiry until a retainer agreement has been signed.

Call 734-789-7948 to speak to an experienced health law attorney today.