Opioid Litigation Comes To Michigan – What Physicians And Hospitals Need To Know

Michigan, like the rest of the country, suffers from an opioid epidemic. Every day, more than 100 Americans die from an opioid overdose1. Some economists estimate that the opioid crisis has cost the U.S. economy more than $1 trillion since 2001 and is on pace to cost an additional $500 billion through 20202. The profligate …

Costs Down; Quality Up

How can providers increase quality of care while reducing cost to patients?  The answer is through innovation, creativity, increased patient responsibility, partnership, and real-time flow of information.  Here are just a few ideas to consider in reaching this overarching goal.  While none of the ideas articulated below are novel or groundbreaking on their own, they …

Is Your Organization Taking the Correct Steps to Prevent and Defend Against Harassment Claims? Recent EEOC Guidance Suggests Best Practices

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, most employers have become more acutely aware of the risks involved in failing to effectively prevent and respond to claims of workplace harassment.  This renewed awareness should cause all employers, large and small, to evaluate their policies, processes and practices in place to prevent harassment and to respond …

Cyndi Moore Participated in “What’s Driving Health Care Costs in America” Roundtable Discussion

Federal lawmakers need to focus on what’s driving health care costs in America that in turn contributes to the rising cost of health coverage.  That’s according to a group of health care industry executives who gathered for a recent roundtable conversation organized by MiBiz. They also said that health care needs more cost transparency and …

Keeping Pace in Clinical Research: The Common Rule Picks Up Speed

In recent years, the world of human subjects research has expanded with regard to the number of clinical research trials being conducted and the array of drugs and devices being tested and with respect to the technology employed to conduct the research and the nature of the research itself. For example, increasing reliance on repositories …

Frequently Asked Questions on the Certificate of Need Process for Surgical Services

Michigan is among many states that require entities to obtain a Certificate of Need (“CON”) before performing most surgical services. While a CON is just one out of several legal and regulatory requirements that must be addressed in these situations, the process of applying for and winning approval of a CON from the Michigan Department …

Recent Case Serves as Reminder to Take Care in Structuring Sales of Physician Practices

By: Ralph Levy, Jr. Physicians Should Carefully Review Documents to Verify Information Accurately Reflects the Desired Structure of the Sale. Over the past few years, hospitals, health systems, and practice management companies have increased their efforts to acquire physician practices. Moreover, physician groups are increasingly interested in selling their practices to these interested purchasers. The …

So You Want to ‘Make Partner’: A Word Of Warning to Junior Professionals, Watch What You Wish For

  by Ralph Levy, Of Counsel Nashville Office 615.620.1733 rlevy@dickinsonwright.com   Group medical and dental practices often look to expand their practices by hiring additional professionals, typically those with less experience than the equity owners of the practice group. Invariably, both the group practice and the potential new hire will insist on an employment agreement …

Expansion of Practice Autonomy of Physician Assistants Summary

This blog summarizes the original article written by Brian Fleetham.  For more information, please read the entire article that will be published in mid-February for the Kent County Medical Society quarterly newsletter, Winter 2017.  As part of a flurry of activity at the end of 2016, Public Act 379 was enacted by the Michigan legislature …

What Physician Practices and Other Healthcare Providers Need to Know About the Posting and Grievance Obligations Set Forth in the Section 1557 Final Rule

By Rose Willis Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Recently, the Federal Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) issued a Final Rule clarifying existing nondiscrimination requirements and setting forth new standards implementing Section 1557 (the “Final Rule”). Among other things, the …