Please join us on Thursday, July 13 at 12pm CT as we examine how False Claims Act cases ended up before the Supreme Court, the Court’s analysis of these cases, and the lasting impact that these opinions will have for those dealing with False Claims Act-related issues. Continue Reading Register Now: The Supreme Court and the False Claims Act Webinar

We were each quoted in a Law360 article examining the status of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) on the 50th anniversary of the law’s passing, and offered our perspective, informed by both our practices advising healthcare providers on AKS issues and our experience as government attorneys dealing with AKS issues, on the legal challenges and disputes among the courts on how to apply the AKS and the current state of the enforcement environment encountered by healthcare providers as it relates specifically to AKS issues. Continue Reading Impact of Anti-Kickback Statute on Its 50th Anniversary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continues to offer valuable insights to the healthcare industry as to how best to approach increasingly complex healthcare fraud and abuse issues. Bass, Berry & Sims is pleased to share this HHS-OIG Year In Review (HHS-OIG YIR) that highlights key guidance OIG issued in 2022, as well as other items of import involving the agency.Continue Reading 2022: HHS-OIG Year In Review

I recently outlined healthcare-related fraud and abuse laws in Tennessee as part of Thomson Reuters’ Practical Law survey. My content focused on Tennessee is part of a series that examines state-by-state laws and regulations addressing civil and criminal actions, consequences for violation, and Medicaid program integrity provisions.
Continue Reading Tennessee Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Laws

On January 25, in a 2-1 decision in U.S. ex rel. Sheldon v. Allergan Sales, LLC, 2022 WL 211172, the Fourth Circuit became the most recent federal appellate court to hold that the objective scienter standard in the Supreme Court’s Safeco decision applies to the False Claims Act (FCA). Under the Fourth Circuit’s decision, the FCA’s scienter element cannot be met if the defendant’s interpretation of applicable statutory or regulatory requirements was objectively reasonable and no authoritative guidance from a circuit court or government agency warned the defendant away from its interpretation.
Continue Reading Fourth Circuit Adopts Safeco’s Objective Reasonableness Standard for False Claims Act

Bass, Berry & Sims and the Tennessee Hospital Association hosted the Seventh Annual Healthcare Fraud Conference on December 1 and 2. The virtual conference featured more than 40 speakers and 500 attendees from over 40 states and the District of Columbia.

“The healthcare industry remains under intense scrutiny, making it more important than ever for providers to stay up to date on the latest developments concerning the FCA and fraud and abuse,” said Brian Roark, chair of the Bass, Berry & Sims Healthcare Fraud Task Force.  “This conference examines those developments, provides practical solutions, and forecasts the most pressing issues ahead for healthcare providers.”

Topics Covered During Conference

Day 1 sessions covered conducting effective investigative interviews, navigating privilege issues in investigations, building effective compliance programs, navigating challenges posed by whistleblowers, understanding recent Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute developments, and False Claims Act self-disclosure considerations.

Day 2 kicked off with a review of the past year’s key healthcare fraud developments and looked at the future of the False Claims Act. Other sessions covered litigating healthcare fraud enforcement cases, provider relief fund audits and investigations, navigating contractor audits and administrative enforcement remedies, and hot topics in healthcare fraud. The day concluded with a 90-minute healthcare fraud hypothetical.

Click to access a recording of the conference. On-demand CLE is available for those that are interested.Continue Reading Seventh Annual Healthcare Fraud Conference Highlights Key Risk Areas and Enforcement Developments for Healthcare Providers

The 7th Annual Healthcare Fraud Conference was hosted by Bass, Berry & Sims and the Tennessee Hospital Association. Because we are unable to provide an in-person forum due to ongoing concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we once again hosted the conference virtually.

This year’s complimentary CLE program, provides the same caliber of practical advice, insight into significant fraud and abuse issues facing healthcare professionals, and thoughtful discussion from industry panelists for which this conference is known.

Topics include:

  • Healthcare Fraud Year in Review
  • Hot Topics in Healthcare Fraud: Today and Tomorrow
  • The Future of the False Claims Act
  • Provider Relief Fund Audits and Investigations
  • Navigating Corporate Integrity Agreements and Administrative Remedies
  • Litigating Healthcare Fraud Enforcement Cases
  • Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute Enforcement Developments
  • FCA Self-Disclosure Considerations

This year’s conference was held on Wednesday, December 1 and Thursday, December 2. To watch the conference on-demand, please click here.

Click here to view the agenda and presenters.Continue Reading [Virtual Event] 7th Annual Healthcare Fraud Conference