Answers to Your Health Care Law Questions
As a health care provider, it only makes sense that you have questions about the business side of your practice. At the Houston area offices of The Stevenson Law Firm, PC, our attorneys are here to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about your practice. Whether you have administrative concerns or you want to protect your rights in court, we can help you navigate the business of health care law.
Navigating the Business of Health Care
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Health Care Law – An Overview
Health law remains a rapidly growing legal specialty in a rapidly changing marketplace. Because the health care industry is currently the largest sector of the U.S. economy, many interesting issues and challenges arise. The practice of health law is deeply influenced by the fact that health care is the most heavily regulated industry in the U.S.
If you have a health law issue, contact an attorney at The Stevenson Law Firm, PC. today for experienced legal advice.
Patient Rights and HIPAA
In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This Act provides patients with certain privacy rights regarding the use and transmission of their confidential health information. HIPAA also imparted corresponding duties on health care providers to protect patient privacy. The HITECH Act, passed in 2009 as part of the stimulus package, is transformational legislation that anticipates a massive expansion in the exchange of electronic protected health information. It widens the scope of privacy and security protections available under HIPAA. There is increased potential legal liability for non-compliance requiring healthcare providers, and those business associates who interact with them, to develop policies to protect improper disclosure of this information.
Hospital Administration and EMTALA
Hospitals are heavily regulated businesses that must meet the requirements of a plethora of state and federal laws and regulations in order to conduct day-to-day activities. Attorneys working with hospital administrators help ensure hospital practice conforms to the law. This includes ensuring hospital emergency rooms meet the requirements of EMTALA and do not engage in a practice of dumping patients on other hospitals.
Public Policy Health Issues
Certain health law issues catch fire and create debate within the public sphere. Two of these hot button issues are the right to die and embryo ownership.
Health Care Law Resource Links
American Health Lawyers Association
News, education, information and policy dialogue for attorneys in the health care industry.
American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics
Publishers of the Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics and the American Journal of Law & Medicine discuss health care and health law topics of interest to attorneys, physicians, nurses, ethicists, educators, hospital and public administrators, risk managers, pharmacists, social workers and students.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights – HIPAA
Information for HIPAA-covered entities and consumers about health information privacy, including the text of the HIPAA law and regulations, enforcement information and frequently asked questions.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Information for health care providers and consumers regarding Medicare and Medicaid eligibility and administration, SCHIP, policy regulations and guidance, statistics, outreach and education programs and other resources.
American Bar Association: Health Law Section
Information for attorneys practicing in the area of health law, including updates on the most recent news in health law, such as new federal regulations and current publications.
