As value-based care (VBC) models continue to grow across our nation’s health system and specifically within different specialties like nephrology, the costs and challenges of maintaining these models continue to rise. In...more
FTC final rule banning noncompetes grandfathers existing agreements for senior execs - The FTC voted 3-2 in favor of the final rule, which bans noncompete clauses in employee contracts in most cases. While the rule would...more
Five NJ nephrology practices combine under Northeast Kidney Care banner - The combined company claims to be the largest independent group of nephrologists in the state, with 26 locations. ...more
NY Governor vetoes noncompete ban bill after opposition from health, business groups - Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill passed by both houses of the NY legislature in June that would’ve imposed bans of non-compete clauses in...more
Fresenius hiring Ascension Capital exec to head care delivery - The appointment of Craig Cordola as CEO of the dialysis company’s care delivery segment takes effect Jan. 1. He was at Ascension Capital for the past six...more
On Oct. 27, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that will increase payments to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities in calendar year (CY) 2024. The ESRD prospective payment system...more
Federal Law increases competition in organ procurement, transplant system; NKF, ASN approve - The President signed the bipartisan bill into law on Sept. 22. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) was...more
FTC, DoJ propose changes to HSR Act for more effective, efficient merger reviews - The FTC, along with the Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division, proposed changes to the premerger notification form and...more
NY non-compete ban still receiving pushback as Governor waits to sign off - While NY Governor Kathy Hochul waits to sign off on one of the country’s toughest bans on non-compete agreements, many lobby groups from the...more
Benesch: NLRB decision overturns use of ‘entrepreneurial opportunity’ super factor for classifying employees - Benesch explains the labor board’s decision retains the 10-point test to determine who can be considered an...more
Benesch: MN ban on non-compete agreements includes carveout for business sale, dissolution - Benesch Law notes the bill only awaits the signature of MN’s Governor and could become law as early as July 1. It would prevent...more
On March 22, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued revised Guidance and Survey Process for Reviewing Home Dialysis Services in a Nursing Home (Rev QSO-18-24-ESRD) to State Survey Agency...more
MedPAC recommends no additional increase in payments for dialysis in 2024 - MedPAC’s report on outpatient dialysis services recommends Congress not increase Medicare payments for dialysis services next year beyond the...more
ME trial reminiscent of DaVita anti-poaching case that also ended in acquittal; DOJ strategy questioned - In Apr. 2022, juries in TX and CO acquitted healthcare companies charged by the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. In the CO...more
Correction to our January 31, 2023 newsletter article, “Dialysis Provider Satellite Healthcare Reports Data Breach Affecting Nearly 100k Patients”: Media Statement, Satellite Healthcare - In January 2023, Satellite...more
Federal omnibus spending bill rolls back some Medicare payment cuts scheduled for 2023, 2024 - Buried within the $1.7-trillion spending package signed by the President on Dec. 29 was partial relief for a planned 4.5% cut...more
Benesch outlines five states with data protection laws coming into effect in 2023 - Next year, statutes for data security and data privacy will go into effect in CA and VA on Jan. 1, while laws in CO and CT will be...more
Fresenius CEO resigning; to be replaced by head of company’s pharmaceutical business - Michael Sen, President and CEO of Fresenius Kabi, will replace Stephan Sturm as CEO of Fresenius SE on Oct. 1. Shares in the company...more
DOJ files civil complaint alleging Fresenius performed unnecessary procedures on dialysis patients - In June, it was revealed that DOJ would partially join a whistleblower lawsuit against the dialysis provider. In a civil...more
SCOTUS sides with OH-based medical plan in dispute with DaVita over dialysis reimbursements - In a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Marietta Memorial Hospital Employee Benefit Plan in a case that hinged...more
Medtronic, DaVita forming kidney tech company to develop dialysis delivery systems - The healthtech and the dialysis provider will be 50-50 partners in the venture, which will include the entirety of Medtronic’s renal...more
Denver jury acquits DaVita, former CEO, of all charges in antitrust trial - After two days of deliberations, a Denver jury found DaVita and former CEO Kent Thiry not guilty of all charges relating to charges they...more
SCOTUS questions appear to support DaVita’s position in dialysis care discrimination case - Private plans are supposed to provide coverage for dialysis for the first 30 months before the patients can transition to...more
CMS calls for applications for second cohort of KCC Model; deadline set for Mar. 25 - The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation says performance period participation agreements for the CMS Kidney Care First Option...more
Benesch: SCOTUS decisions on COVID-19 vaccine mandates have repercussions for employers, healthcare facilities The Supreme Court decided two cases relating to COVID-19 vaccination mandates. In the first case, SCOTUS ruled...more