Author: Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel

Sharing Information with Patients’ Friends and Families – A Common Sense Guide Under HIPAA

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Jan 6, 2017 | Legal, zall | 0 |

When is it ok to share information with a patient’s family members? Here is a guide for sharing information and adhering to HIPAA regulations.

Consolidation of Agencies

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Dec 31, 2016 | Compliance, ICS Message, Insurance, Legal, Legislative, Practice Management, zall | 0 |

On July 1, 2004, Governor Rod Blagojevich issued Executive Order 2004-6, which consolidated the Department of Professional Regulation, the Department of Insurance, the Department of Financial Institutions and the Office of Banks and Real Estate into the newly created Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR). Fernando Grillo, Director of the former Department of Professional Regulation, has been appointed to serve as the Secretary of the new “super-agency.” Some of you may recall that Col. Mills and I met with then-Director Grillo last year to discuss issues of mutual interest, and we have continued to maintain open and constructive communication with the Department.

Applying for a License in Illinois

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Dec 31, 2016 | Legal, Practice Management, zall | 0 |

Under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is responsible for regulating the practice of medicine, including the issuance of licenses and enforcement of laws that apply to licensees. The ICS has previously published an article entitled, “Administrative Investigations at the IDFPR: Know the Process and Handle With Care,” which details the enforcement process and is available to ICS members on the ICS website at www.ilchiro.org/.

Chiropractic and Medicaid

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Dec 12, 2016 | Insurance, Legal, Medicare and Medicaid, zall | 0 |

Senate Bill 2840, spun by its drafters as the “Save Medicaid Access and Resources Together (SMART) Act,” has been passed by both houses of the Illinois legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature. Despite vigorous lobbying efforts by the Illinois ChiropracticSociety and other health care provider groups, this bill limits and eliminates Medicaid coverage for a number of health care services. Unfortunately, Medicaid coverage for adult chiropractic services will be terminated effective July 1, 2012.

Associate Departure

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Sep 1, 2016 | Compliance, Legal, Practice Management, zall | 0 |

The departure of an associate physician from a practice sometimes causes operational disruption and always requires steps to ensure a smooth transition.

Abuse Reporting

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Aug 1, 2016 | Legal, Practice Management, zall | 0 |

Under the Medical Practice Act, chiropractic physicians must file reports when they suspect or know a patient is the subject of abuse or neglect.

Personal Injury Payment Red Flags

Posted by Adrienne Hersh, JD, ICS Legal Counsel | Jul 1, 2016 | Billing and Collections, Legal, zall | 0 |

Once the case has been concluded, the amount of your payment depends on whether the settlement or judgment amount was enough to cover all of the bills in the case. Often it is not, which means you may file a petition to adjudicate your lien before the court, or you may negotiate with the attorney for the amount you are to receive, and you could receive a check for less than the full amount of your bill.