OSHA’S COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard: What Employers Need to Know

  On June 21, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (“OSHA”) emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace went into effect.[1]  OSHA found, in part, that the COVID-19 pandemic “presents a grave danger to workers in all healthcare settings” and issued the ETS in response.[2]  Who is…

Scrutiny and Regulation of Non-Compete Agreements

  On July 9, 2021, President Biden issued an “Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy.”[1]  The Executive Order takes aim at non-compete agreements, and affirms the Biden Administration’s policy “to enforce the antitrust laws to combat the excessive concentration of industry, the abuses of market power, and the harmful effects of monopoly…

Dental Services Provider Paid $350,000 for Alleged Improper Medicaid Billing

On August 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a press release announcing a $350,000 settlement between the federal government, Cornell Scott Hill Health Corporation (“Cornell”), a Federally Qualified Health Center (“FQHC”), and the State of Connecticut to settle Medicaid fraud claims asserted against Cornell. As a FQHC, Medicaid pays Cornell for certain…

Hot Topics in Risk Management | Considerations for Requiring COVID-19 Vaccinations for Medical Practice Staff

As COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available, health care organizations, medical practices, and other employers may consider whether, and under what circumstances, they will require employees to be vaccinated.  Employers who address this issue must balance the interests of patients and employees, who have a right to a safe office environment, with the interests of…