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Category Archives: Implantable Cardiac Devices

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12 Enforcement and Compliance Predictions for 2012

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Culture, DOJ, Enforcement, Government Initiatives, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Long Term Care, Medicaid, Medicare, OIG, Reform, Settlements

This has been an interesting year for the health care industry, and I believe the coming year will be even more exhilarating.  Here are my 12 enforcement and compliance predictions for 2012.  Please comment with yours.  We’ll see how we do. . . .   Regardless of what happens with the health care reform law, the current market forces… Continue Reading

HHS Redoubles its Data Prospecting Efforts

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in CMS, Enforcement, False Claims Act, Government Initiatives, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicare, OIG, Reform

In previous posts, I have mentioned the government’s “data prospecting” efforts, and highlighted the difference between “data mining” and “data prospecting.”  Mining is done when you already know where to dig.  Prospecting, which is what the government has been doing, involves finding out where to dig.  There’s a big difference, and the implications should not… Continue Reading

OIG Has New, Intensive Hospital Compliance Initiative

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Enforcement, Government Initiatives, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicare, OIG

I understand that the HHS-OIG has begun a new and intensive Hospital Compliance Initiative that is different from previous efforts.  It intends to audit a large number of hospitals across the country on 28 separate issues.  The OIG has developed a list of errors that it commonly sees through its audits, whistleblower cases, investigations and self-disclosures.  It has… Continue Reading

Interview of Tony West, Asst. Attorney General, Civil Division, DOJ

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, DOJ, Enforcement, False Claims Act, FERA, Fraud, Government Initiatives, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicare, Reform

I recently interviewed Tony West, who is the Assistant U.S. Attorney General, Civil Division, of the Department of Justice.  The Civil Division is responsible for the government’s cases involving health care fraud and challenges to the health care reform law.  He is, of course, heavily involved in the DOJ’s HEAT initiative. The interview provides insight into current government… Continue Reading

New Healthcare Compliance App

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Enforcement, False Claims Act, Fraud, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicaid, Medicare, News, OIG, RACs, Reform, Settlements, Social Networking, Stark Law, Stimulus

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can now access The Healthcare Compliance Blog, presentations, podcasts, Twitter feeds and other helpful information through my new App.  Search the App Store for “Compliance Law” or “Sheeder.” Here’s a link to the Apple iTunes listing:  http://tinyurl.com/sheederapp/ Kindly let me know what you think.  Thanks.

Four Quick Predictions and Takeaways re: the DOJ’s ICD Investigation

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Enforcement, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicare

I have been addressing the Department of Justice’s national investigation into hospitals’ Medicare billings for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) in recent posts. I predict that the DOJ will be: Continuing its efforts to deal with providers in an open and collaborative manner. Notifying more hospitals that they are under investigation relating to ICD billing. Making additional inquiries… Continue Reading

Quick Update on DOJ’s ICD Investigation

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in False Claims Act, Government Initiatives, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicare

Many hospitals across the country have received notice that they are subject to the Department of Justice’s national False Claims Act investigation relating to claims for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators, or ICDs. Recently, the DOJ sent such hospitals Requests for Information containing what amounts to an interrogatory, coupled with a request for production of fairly extensive… Continue Reading

Redouble Your Compliance Efforts Now . . . .

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Enforcement, FERA, Government Initiatives, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicaid, Medicare, News, OIG, Reform, Stark Law

The health care industry is besieged by economic and political pressures. There is more uncertainty than ever before. But there is one factor that is predictable: enforcement is increasing, and it will continue. Prudent providers should consider redoubling their compliance efforts now. Here is a short summary of recent developments and current trends and themes… Continue Reading

Healthcare Enforcement Challenges for Hospitals: 2011 and Beyond

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Enforcement, Government Initiatives, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicaid, Medicare, OIG, RACs, Reform, Settlements, Stark Law

Healthcare Enforcement Challenges for Hospitals: Intro This is the first in a series of short presentations aimed at enforcement, litigation and compliance challenges for healthcare providers.  Please view/listen and provide feedback.  Thanks.

More Predictions re: Healthcare Enforcement in 2011

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Enforcement, Fraud, Government Initiatives, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicare, Reform

In the previous post, I made four predictions regarding government enforcement initiatives in 2011.  Here are three specific areas that hospitals should be concerned about: Hospital relationships with physicians.  There have been many settlements in this area, and the government just announced a $30 million settlement with Detroit Medical Center regarding leases and independent contractor… Continue Reading