Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel, Author at Illinois Chiropractic Society

Applying – Specific Application Information

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Dec 31, 2018 | Legal, Members Only, zall | 0 |

An important part of the application is Part VI, or “Personal History Information.” This form consists of six questions requesting information regarding any history of: guilty pleas to criminal offenses and convictions of felonies; denial of professional license by any licensing authority; other-than-honorable discharge from armed services; and whether the applicant has a disease that limits his or her ability to perform the essential functions of the chiropractic profession, including physical and mental conditions and substance abuse.

Credit Card Payments for Physician Fees: A Regulatory Tapestry

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Dec 27, 2018 | Legal, Members Only, zall | 0 |

Collections are a critical part of running a physician practice. The shift toward patient responsibility for higher co-payments and deductibles under today’s health plans has driven the need for physician offices to shore up collection methods. Whether a practice is insurance or cash-based, patient payments are making up an increasing share of revenue. Every business needs to make money to survive, but physicians must balance the need for profit with the responsibility to provide quality patient care. In addition, laws regarding ethics, licensing, and patient privacy are layered into the regulatory tapestry that governs physician collections.

Medical and Professional Service Corporation

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Dec 12, 2018 | Business Forms and Templates, Legal, Members Only, Other, zall | 0 |

Did you know that a medical corporation, professional service corporation or limited liability company needs its own license to operate legally in Illinois? This means that owners of these entities must not only form the corporation through the Secretary of State, but they must also file for and obtain a professional license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), even though all of the owners and practitioners possess individual licenses.

Applying – Violent or Sexual Crime Prohibition

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Dec 1, 2018 | Legal, Members Only, zall | 0 |

In 2011, a law was passed that prohibited the issuance of a license to any type of health care worker, including a physician, who: (1) has been convicted of a criminal act that requires registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act; (1.5) has been convicted of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor (human trafficking); (2) has been convicted of a criminal battery against any patient in the course of patient care or treatment, including any offense based on sexual conduct or sexual penetration; (3) has been convicted of a forcible felony; or (4) is required as a part of a criminal sentence to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act

After Transition to Electronic Health Records (EHR): What to Do with Paper Files?

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Nov 14, 2018 | Documentation, Electronic Health Records, Legal, Practice Management, zall | 0 |

The use of electronic health records (EHR) in the physician office provides many benefits, including quick access to accurate, complete information about patients at the point of care; legible, complete documentation; reduction of medical errors; privacy and security of health information, secure sharing of electronic information; and streamlining of coding and billing. Without a doubt, the process of transitioning from paper records to EHR can be challenging and stressful, but the rewards are worthwhile.

Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Lien for Services to Minor Patients

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Sep 5, 2018 | Insurance, Legal, Members Only, zall | 0 |

Does Illinois law permit health care providers to file and enforce health care liens for services to minor patients (persons under 18 years of age) who have been injured in negligence cases? The short answer is “yes,” as recently confirmed by the Illinois Supreme Court.

Standard of Care vs. Innovative Techniques

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Aug 8, 2018 | Legal, Members Only, Scope of Practice, zall | 0 |

Because chiropractic medicine is designed to assist patients without the use of drugs and surgery, it lends itself uniquely to innovative diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Chiropractic physicians and their patients also tend to be more open-minded about considering them.

Patients’ Right to Direct Provider Not to Submit a Claim to Health Plan

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Jun 13, 2018 | Business Forms and Templates, Compliance, HIPAA, Legal, Members Only, zall | 0 |

May a patient direct a health care provider not to submit a claim to the patient’s health plan for a particular service? Is an in-network doctor required to submit a claim when the patient has directed otherwise? The answers to these questions are usually “yes.”