Garlo Ward, P.C.

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Should Your Company Develop a Social Media Policy?

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With easy access to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace, employees have more opportunities than ever to share comments and opinions about their workplaces or your company’s products or services. This can be a blessing or a curse. The informal nature of these Websites encourages a free-flow of comments, many of which may come during a particular moment of frustration, anger, or just carelessness by an employee. Many companies have learned the hard way that one slip-up by an … [Read more...] about Should Your Company Develop a Social Media Policy?

The Fight Against Overcriminalization

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I wrote about this book and the war on pain management physicians here. Now, the New York Times is writing about overcriminalization in general. Given the risks of accusations of Medicare/Medicaid and other business fraud by ambitious prosecutors, this is a topic with which you all should be concerned. It's no longer a left versus right issue, given the broad coalition discussed in the article. In the meantime, watch this: … [Read more...] about The Fight Against Overcriminalization

The Feds’ War on Pain Management Physicians

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Heroic civil liberties lawyer, Harvey Silverglate writes about the war on physicians who attempt to alleviate the chronic pain of their patients. I just started reading his new book, Three Felonies a Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent, and will be writing more about that. In the meantime, read this column. Not only are the Feds attempting to "to effectively control the practice of pain relief medicine", they are now prosecuting people who try to educate the public about the issue under … [Read more...] about The Feds’ War on Pain Management Physicians

Can You Spot the Red Flags of Medical Identity Theft? FTC Rule Enforcement Now Begins November 1, 2009

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The Red Flags Rule, designed to prevent and detect identity theft, takes effect August 1. Health care providers should carefully review the Rule’s definitions, because you may be surprised at how many health professionals are considered “creditors” who must develop Identity Theft Prevention Programs. The Red Flags Rule, 16 CFR § 681, applies to “financial institutions” and “creditors.” However, if your patients are not paying for services at the time that they are received, then … [Read more...] about Can You Spot the Red Flags of Medical Identity Theft? FTC Rule Enforcement Now Begins November 1, 2009

Never Talk to the Police

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I've been wanting to post this video for a while. With the ramping up of fraud investigations and investigations of abuse and neglect, there is a chance that some of you might be subjected to an investigation by law enforcement. Additionally, there are investigators in the AG's office whose background is law enforcement. This is a great video about how these people work and why you should jealously guard your 5th Amendment rights. Here is part 2. … [Read more...] about Never Talk to the Police

Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Texas

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According to the Houston Chronicle, there's a federal Medicare fraud strike force on the loose in Texas. The article highlights a number of Houston-area clinics committing Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud in the U.S. last year totaled $2.35 billion. There were 575 health fraud criminal actions and 342 civil actions filed. The task force has reduced identification of Medicare fraud from months to days, thanks to improved technology. Justice Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz said, "There … [Read more...] about Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Texas

Mental Health Parity Act Effective Date Delayed Until January 2010

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New requirements for employee health care plans originally scheduled to go into effect next month now have been delayed for at least a few more months. Congress has deferred the effective date of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPA) until January 2010. The MHPA does not require health insurance plans to provide mental health or addiction disorder benefits if they do not do so already. However, for group health plans that do choose to provide mental health and/or substance use … [Read more...] about Mental Health Parity Act Effective Date Delayed Until January 2010

Obama Proposes Medicaid and Medicare Cuts

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Last week President Barack Obama proposed to cut $313 billion from Medicaid and Medicare over the next 10 years as part of so-called health reform, in addition to the $635 billion in cuts in his FY 2010 budget. (Source) The president proposes to expand coverage to "millions" who don't have it, while bringing down the cost of care. How does he intend to accomplish these seemingly opposing goals? Among other things, limiting growth of Medicare's fee-for-service payments and cutting subsidies to … [Read more...] about Obama Proposes Medicaid and Medicare Cuts