Archive for October 2014
New telemedicine rule takes effect in Florida
The Florida Board of Medicine has published an update regarding telemedicine standards that took effect on Oct. 26, 2014. The new Rule 64B8-9.0141, Florida Administrative Code, defines what telemedicine is and what physicians are not permitted to do. It states: “Telemedicine shall not include the provision of health care services only through an audio only…
Read MoreStricter Standards for Compounding Facilities Take Effect
On Oct. 1, a new and stricter law relating to Florida’s compounding industry took effect. The law adds restrictions for compounding pharmacies and outsourcing facilities that ship medications to Florida. It also provides Florida’s Board of Pharmacy and Department of Health with additional oversight and power to penalize these companies, including the authority to inspect…
Read MoreHHS target of class action in Medicare appeals backlog fiasco
The ever-growing backlog of appeals at the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals for inpatient status claims has prompted the Center for Medicare Advocacy to file a nationwide class action lawsuit against the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. The complaint, filed Aug. 26 U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, alleges that,…
Read MoreAppellate court rules on pre-suit requirement in medical malpractice cases
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has upheld a portion of Florida’s medical malpractice law ruling that it does not violate requirements designed to protect a patient’s privacy. By doing so, the appellate court overturned a ruling last year by a Tallahassee federal court judge who found that the law would…
Read MoreHHS proposes new safe harbors
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a rule that would amend the safe harbors to the anti-kickback statute and the civil monetary penalty rules under the authority of the Office of Inspector General. The 94-page proposed rule, if adopted would add new safe harbors and codify civil monetary provisions for gain…
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