By Jerri Lynn Ward, JD, Of Counsel, Garlo Ward P.C. www.garloward.com Posted February 22, 2005 It was a time when reimbursements were cut to the bone, and when Providers were set upon by Regulators and Plaintiff's Personal Injury Lawyers. It was an age undreamed of� when out of Austin Texas a New Threat appeared! Let me tell you of the days when there appeared... Barbarians at your Door!!! The new Medicaid rules became final in January, 2005. The rules are … [Read more...] about Barbarians at Your Door: The New Medicaid Rules: Revisiting Confiscation of Original Documents
What Do The Medicare Prescription Drug Rules Mean for You?
By Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D. and Daniel A. Graham Posted March 7, 2005 On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) was passed into law. In August 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a set of proposed rules to implement the MMA. On January 28, CMS released a final set of rules with a few changes from the August, 2004 set. How do these new rules affect long term care facilities and nursing homes? … [Read more...] about What Do The Medicare Prescription Drug Rules Mean for You?
WIELDING WEAPONS IN THE WORKPLACE
By Dana Stripling, JD, Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted May 12, 2005 The Texas legislature is considering a law similar to one already passed in Oklahoma limiting employer liability for workplace violence or other injuries involving a handgun carried by someone licensed to do so. In exchange, employers may lose the right to prohibit workers from bringing licensed weapons to work as long as they are kept in a publicly accessible parking lot or garage. Currently, you may legally ban … [Read more...] about WIELDING WEAPONS IN THE WORKPLACE
Publications Archive
News Flashes ArchiveArticles ArchiveSue Bob's Diary ArchiveNews Flashes Archive Understanding the Anatomy of a Level of Need Appeal Posted September 29, 2004 Recent Efforts to Block the New FLSA Rules Posted September 27, 2004 Barbarians At Your Door: Your Business Records and the New Medicaid Fraud RulesPosted June 29, 2004 WORKFORCE LEGAL WATCH - May I PLEASE Peer Into Your Files?Posted March 11, 2004 Congress Withdraws Its Opposition to Proposed DOL Wage and Hour Exemption Posted December 2, … [Read more...] about Publications Archive
From the WAGE AND HOUR Desk
New Ruling on Companionship Exemption Possible, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CONTINUE TO BE TARGETED BY DOL, PRIVATE SETTLEMENTS OF WAGE AND HOUR DISPUTES PERMITTED, AND NEW RIGHT OF APPEAL AVAILABLE IN WAGE CLAIMS By Dana Stripling, JD, Of Counsel Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted Monday, August 16, 2005 Wage & Hour Alert: U.S. Supreme Court Considering Review of FLSA "Companionship Exemption" The U.S. Supreme Court has recently requested the U.S. Solicitor General's opinion in a … [Read more...] about From the WAGE AND HOUR Desk
Paying Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants Hourly?
By Dana Stripling, JD, Of Counsel Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted Wednesday, June 1, 2005 Even though nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who have standardized licensing requirements and perform direct patient care, may provide a higher level of "professional" healthcare services, they remain non-exempt "hourly" employees in the eyes of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) unless they also meet the Department's stringent "salary" requirement. As explained last month by … [Read more...] about Paying Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants Hourly?
Sue Bob’s Diary: Adventures in HIPAA Land- What’s It All About, ALF?
By Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D. There I was on the lush, green and beautiful grounds of The Ranch on the River, the Assisted Living Facility located in our little Hill Country Town. I had come down for the day to visit my Aunt Bernice who is one of the residents there. The Ranch on the River is located a few miles outside of civilization on the river that continues on through town. The Ranch was once a popular resort that fell out of favor as it aged and new resort condos were built in the … [Read more...] about Sue Bob’s Diary: Adventures in HIPAA Land- What’s It All About, ALF?
Don’t Forget To Shred, Burn, Smash and Otherwise Pulverize the Trash�
By Dana Stripling, JD, Of Counsel Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted Wednesday, June 1, 2005 Don't forget that as of today, June 1, 2005, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act requires employers to properly destroy (shred or burn, smash or wipe) any consumer reports containing employees' personal information that are being discarded. All information in this article is informational only and is not legal advice. Should you have any questions or a situation requiring advice, … [Read more...] about Don’t Forget To Shred, Burn, Smash and Otherwise Pulverize the Trash�
Employment Law Update: Job Protection for Returning Military; New DOL Forms Available; and the Flu Shots Shortage
By Dana Stripling, JD, Garlo Ward, P.C. www.garloward.com Posted November 16, 2004 Administration Strengthens Job Protections for Returning Military -- U. S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and Attorney General John Ashcroft have signed a plan to strengthen and streamline enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). The Administration has delegated the Department of Labor's enforcement responsibilities under the USERRA to the Veteran's Employment … [Read more...] about Employment Law Update: Job Protection for Returning Military; New DOL Forms Available; and the Flu Shots Shortage
The Texas Medical Foundation
By Heather Rutland, J.D., Of Counsel, Garlo Ward P.C. Posted December 6, 2004 What is the Texas Medical Foundation? What information do I have to give them? What can they do with their information? What information do they have to give to me? These are all important questions for any health care facility, and the following article will give you a general walkthrough of each of these issues. Issues addressed in this article: What is the Texas Medical Foundation? What … [Read more...] about The Texas Medical Foundation