Managing Today’s Innovation in Healthcare: the Modern IP Strategy

Innovation in the health care industry is heavily focused on data. Data is now considered an integral part in health-related applications ranging from managing patient records to analyzing drug and genetic screening data within a research or clinical context. It is regulated and protected. It also carries significant value when analyzed for purposes of determining …

High Court Unanimously Upholds ERISA Exemption For Church-Affiliated Pension Plans

By: Kimberly J. Ruppel Member, Troy Office Phone:  248.433.7291 kruppel@dickinsonwright.com Advocate Health Care Network et al v. Stapleton et al, 581 U.S. __ (2017) In one of the recent opinions rendered by the United States Supreme Court, it was found that pension plans maintained by religiously affiliated pension plan committees were exempt from certain provisions …

Where is your PHI Data Traveling Today?

By: Craig A. Phillips Member, Grand Rapids Office Phone: 616.336.1030email: cphillips@dickinsonwright.com With most vendors offering and pushing cloud computing solutions and offsite data backup, or guaranteeing offsite backup of data they process for you, many HIPAA covered entities and business associates are questioning whether and how they can take advantage of cloud computing while complying with …

Attempting To Avoid The High Cost Of A Reported HIPAA Breach

By: Kimberly Ruppel and Billee Lightvoet Ward Preventing unintended or unauthorized disclosure of protected health information is an ever-present goal of all covered entities and business associates. However, protective firewalls and electronic data security measures are not enough to avoid a potentially costly penalty or settlement amount in the event of a breach. In order …

Telehealth Resource Centers Are an Invaluable Resource for Providers Developing Telemedicine Programs

As information spreads regarding the many benefits to telemedicine, health care providers wanting to adopt a telemedicine program face a daunting web of complex questions: Which telehealth services are best suited to my patient’s and practice’s needs? What technology equipment should be purchased? Which vendor should I use? And how can I secure reimbursement? Although …

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 …

“Blessings in Disguise: The Hidden Opportunities of Healthcare Bankruptcies” Webinar

With the changes in the healthcare reimbursement and regulatory environment, it is all but certain we will see an increase in the number of distressed healthcare entities over the next few years.  Whether your organization is doing well, or underperforming, there are significant opportunities in this uncertain time.  The team at Dickinson Wright advises healthcare …

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 …