Health Law Advisor

On November 10, 2014, FDA authorized emergency use of the RealStar® Ebolavirus RT-PCR Kit 1.0, an in vitro diagnostic device for the detection of Ebola viruses. This is the most recent in a series of measures taken by FDA in recent months to facilitate rapid access to drugs, biologics and medical devices with potential benefits in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of infections with the Ebola virus.

Emergency Use Authorization

Pursuant to Section 564 of the Food Drug & Cosmetic Act (21 U.S. Code § 360bbb–3), The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services may ...

Earlier this week, the American Telemedicine Association reported an important clarification regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (“CMS’s”) plans for expanding reimbursement for telehealth services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.  The October 31, 2014 final rule with comment period regarding payments to physicians generated much excitement in the telehealth community, particularly because it opens a door, albeit only slightly, to possible Medicare coverage for remote patient monitoring services.

However, the ATA has clarified with CMS ...

On November 13, 2014, CMS published the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule ("MPFS") finalizing the following changes to the Sunshine Open Payments regulations.  The MPFS:

1. Deleted  the provision exempting certain payments to CME providers from the reporting requirements;
2. Added  three new forms of payment designations;
3. Made  the reporting of the marketed name of a covered device no longer optional; and
4. Deleted the definition of covered device.

These changes will be effective January 1, 2016, with reports to CMS in 2017.

(A summary of the final Open Payment regulations can be accessed ...

Only last week, we informed you of the Supreme Court's somewhat surprising grant of cert. in the Fourth Circuit case of King v. Burwell, in which the court of appeals had upheld the government's view that the Affordable Care Act makes federal premium tax credits available to taxpayers in all states, even where the federal government, not the state, has set up an exchange.

The Administration has taken something of a PR buffeting in the week following, after its principal ACA technical advisor's comments on this issue were made public.

In any event, we suggested that the scheduled DC ...

As Ebola has become a worldwide threat, the U.S. Government has provided guidance to prepare numerous agencies and entities that may become involved or affected by Ebola.  On November 7, 2013, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance to Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) carriers on their responsibilities for handling members who have been exposed to or infected with the Ebola virus. FEHB Program Carrier Letter No. 2014-26 is available at http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/carriers.

OPM instructs carriers that special ...

Late last month, the FDA finalized a new guidance document, explaining the agency's current thinking on the circumstances that may arise in connection with an establishment inspection that it would consider to impose an inappropriate limitation on its inspection authority.  The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA) deems a drug or medical device adulterated if it has been manufactured processed, packed, or held in any factory, warehouse, or establishment that delays, denies, or limits an inspection, or refuses to permit entry or inspection.

The ...

Everyone is talking about Ebola, including the risk of contracting it, treatment for those who do contract it, and protection for those who treat patients who have it.  There has been very little discussion, though, about how to pay for the costs of treating Ebola patients, including whether health insurance will cover the treatment and pay the providers.

Most health insurance coverage that complies with the ACA minimum essential coverage standards will cover the costs of medically necessary hospitalization and physician services.  However, many of those policies have significant ...

In something of a surprise, the Supreme Court today granted certiorari in the Fourth Circuit case of King v. Burwell, in which the court of appeals had upheld the government's view that the Affordable Care Act makes federal premium tax credits available to taxpayers in all states, even where the federal government, not the state, has set up an exchange. In doing so, the Supreme Court rebuffed the Solicitor General's request that the Court decline cert. as various cases worked their way through the Courts of Appeals.

It was only a few days ago that the government had filed a brief in ...

On October 29, 2014, the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals ("OMHA") hosted its second Medicare Appellant Forum ("Forum") to address the status of the Medicare appeals backlog and related processing delays of Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") appeals, which are the third level of the Medicare appeals process that is available to suppliers, providers, and Medicare beneficiaries to challenge denied claims. Last week's Forum was a follow-up to OMHA's February 2014 Appellant Forum, which offered few assurances to stakeholders at the time that any effective remedies to the ...

By Frank C. Morris, Jr.

The Ebola virus disease (“Ebola”) has become a worldwide threat, which, among many other effects, has forced employers to think about how to protect their employees. Employers also must consider how Ebola might impact employment policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, those addressing attendance, leaves of absence, discipline, and medical testing.

My colleagues and I have written a detailed Act Now advisory providing legal framework of best practices and legal risks pertaining to Ebola.

Click here to read the advisory in its entirety.