ABA conference to examine medical and legal issues related to ACA

 Lawyers, physicians and government officials will gather June 12-13 for the 2014 Physicians Legal Issues Conference to explore cutting-edge issues unique to physicians and their counsel in today’s healthcare environment. Experts from both medical and legal perspectives in the insurance industry, government regulatory agencies, professional organizations and information technology sectors will explore the most important and up-to-date topics facing attorneys and physicians. Participants will hear from Dr. Shantanu Agrawal, deputy administrator and director of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Gregory Demske, chief counsel to the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services; Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, assistant majority leader.


The conference will be held at the The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

Program highlights include:

• “CMS Audits and Program Integrity – Update from the Deputy Administrator” — In this keynote address, Dr. Shantanu Agrawal will outline the work that has been done at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reduce fraud, waste and abuse across its programs.

• “Healthcare Reform and the Affordable Care Act – A Payer’s Perspective” — Experts from the payer side of healthcare will discuss payment models and the provision of health care services brought on by healthcare reform and the Affordable Care Act.

• “Physician Workforce and Shortage Issues - Looming Crisis” — While the Affordable Care Act has paved the way for states to expand coverage for more Americans, we are facing a growing shortage of physicians nationally. This panel, featuring state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, along with lawyers, physicians and educators, will look at the Illinois situation and proposed state legislation to expand the scope of practice for allied health professionals within their scope of training and education.

• “Fraud and Compliance Laws Physicians Need to Know: From the Basics of the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute and CMP Statute to Current OIG Enforcement Priorities” — This presentation, led by Gregory Demske, will include an overview of the Stark law and federal anti-kickback statute, prohibited practices under the civil monetary penalty statute, the mandatory report and return of overpayments rule, and more.

A complete agenda can be found www.americanbar.org.