In representing a myriad of medical and dental practices throughout the Washington, D.C.-metro area, our attorneys provide sophisticated legal advice acquired through many years of practice in the health care industry. We integrate the firm's full range of legal and practical skills into our work with clients and their advisors, such as accountants and bankers. Combining our considerable knowledge of the health field with our strong business practice ensures that every health care industry client receives full and comprehensive representation.
We are fully aware of--and prepared to capitalize on--industry trends, including the development of alternative systems of health care delivery, the expanding role of government, the changing ownership and management of health care facilities and the never-ending debate over "cost containment." Because the firm represents both individual and corporate providers as well as health care facilities, we are uniquely familiar with the perspective presented by each participant in this ever-changing field of law.
Formation of Health Care Organizations
As the health care field has evolved over the recent years, our attorneys have been at the forefront of designing new types of business services to meet our clients' needs. We have developed and formed several prepaid dental plans and preferred provider organizations (PPO’s) as well as individual practitioner associations (IPA’s) and limited health service HMO’s. We have also organized and represented numerous medical departments at various hospitals, nursing homes, free-standing emergency rooms, ambulatory surgery centers (ASC’s) and clinics. Of special significance in this cost-conscious era, our lawyers have negotiated and drafted contracts between prepaid plans, providers and facilities.
Regulatory Compliance
We frequently evaluate our clients' regulatory obligations with an eye toward designing an efficient, cost-effective compliance strategy. We have handled rate approvals before state insurance commissioners, as well as licensing and accreditation matters on behalf of nursing homes. Our health care attorneys are equally experienced in dealing with requirements imposed by ERISA, the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service and state and local regulatory agencies.
Cost Containment
The issue of "cost containment" dominates today's health care field, and the rules of negotiation, contracting and compensation are constantly changing among providers, insurers and institutions. Our attorneys are experienced in all of the elements of provider contracting and in dealing with many governmental cost-containment measures. One example among many is our effort to successfully provide Certificate of Need (CON) representation.
Disputes and Litigation
In conjunction with our Litigation practice group, we handle a wide range of disputes in the health care field, including cancellation of provider contracts, billing, reimbursement and payment controversies. In the regulatory arena, we have represented providers in loss of privilege controversies, and institutions in disputes involving loss of operating licenses. We have also handled antitrust problems arising out of exclusive provider contracts and also are frequently called upon to get involved in many aspects of hospital governance and the legal controversies generated in this unique area.
