In This Issue:

- THE DW HEALTHCARE TEAM IS GROWING:

With the addition of six new healthcare attorneys, the DW Healthcare Team has expanded its expertise and its depth...

- RECOVERY OF LOST PROFESSIONAL FEES BY TERMINATED PHYSICIAN By: Ralph Levy, Jr.:

In a recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Assaf v. Trinity Med. Ctr., the Court upheld the ability of a physician whose employment agreement was improperly terminated by a hospital to recover lost professional fees as part of the damages for the hospital’s breach...

- STAGE 2 MEANINGFUL USE FINAL RULE IS HERE! By: Tatiana Melnik:

On August 23, 2012, CMS announced the release of the Final Rule for Stage 2 requirements for Meaningful Use, which eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet to continue to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs. The Final Rule is generally effective on November 5, 2012; some provisions became effective on September 4, 2012, the date the Final Rule was published in the Federal Register....

- PROVIDERS MUST ENTER INTO BA AGREEMENTS WITH VENDORS WHO TRANSMIT, MAINTAIN, USE OR HAVE ACCESS TO PHI By: Tatiana Melnik:

The Stage 2 Meaningful Use requirements make clear that the federal government is continuing its push to require healthcare providers to use information technology. The requirements also make clear, however, that patient privacy and security has not been sidelined....