The health care system is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the US. Local, state and federal laws affect every aspect of the industry - from how physicians provide medical care, to how hospitals are run, to how the insurance industry works. If you need the guidance of an experienced health law attorney, contact our firm today. We can provide the information you need.
Accusations of crimes or malpractice can not only tarnish the reputation of a health care professional, but also serve as a career-ending blow. Cases can be complex and adverse actions are part of a permanent record and nationwide database. At the Atlanta-area law office of Melvin M. Goldstein, P.C., we combine experience, knowledge and insight.
Listed below are various resources on professional licensing laws as it pertains to licensed doctors and dentists.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Health Law
Q: What is health law?
A: Health law is a generic term covering a wide variety of legal issues, including hospital administration and regulation, licensure, physician-patient relationships, patient privacy, Medicare and Medicaid funding and payment reimbursement, health insurance providers and their relationships with hospitals and physicians and drug and medical device regulation. Most attorneys practicing in the area of health law work with industry players rather than with patients.
Q: What is HIPAA?
A: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed by Congress in 1996. The Act seeks to protect the confidentiality of patient information by requiring hospitals and other health care providers to follow certain procedures in transmitting and storing patient information. Additionally, HIPAA provides patients with the right to view and have copies made of their confidential patient information and requires patient consent prior to using patient information for anything other than for treatment, payment or health care operations.
Health Care - An Overview
Health law is 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 US.
If you have a health law issue, contact an attorney at Melvin M. Goldstein, P.C. in Marietta, Georgia 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.
Advising Physician Clients on Stark Laws
Attorneys working with physicians may be called upon to help them understand and comply with federal referral and anti-kickback laws. It is important for physicians to understand the scope of these laws and how it may affect their practice.
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 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.
US 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.
US 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.
