Little Health Law Blog

Changes to Mid-Level Provider Practice in Georgia

November 20, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm works with many medical practices to ensure compliance with the use of mid-level providers (such as nurse practitioner and physician assistants). Although certain federal rules are applicable, the scope of practice for mid-level providers is largely provided for in state laws and rules. It is important to remember that these laws and rules may change from time to time, so practices that use mid-level providers should always monitor relevant laws to stay apprised of any changes. Earlier this month, changes to certain Georgia laws impacting mid-level providers went into effect. If you have questions about these changes or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.littlehealthlaw.com.

House Bill 1046 went into effect on July 1, 2024. A copy of the bill is available here. The bill made changes to, among other sections, Georgia Code Section 31-10-14 relating to death certificates, Georgia Code Section 43-34-23 relating to delegation of authority to nurses or physician assistants, and Georgia Code Sections 43-34-25 and 43-34-103 relating to delegation of certain medical acts to advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants and construction and limitations of such delegation.

As to Section 31-10-14, the bill authorizes nurse practitioners and physician assistants to sign death certificates. Previously, mid-level providers could only Continue reading ›

Third Temporary Extension of the DEA’s COVID-19 Tele-Prescribing Flexibilities: Why Another Extension and What Does It Do?

November 19, 2024 | Little Health Law

Many of our healthcare and business law firm’s clients have an interest in offering more flexibility to patients. Common flexibilities we see include offering alternative pay structures and virtual visits. Since COVID-19, the use of telemedicine visits has increased and remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Complying with telemedicine rules requires analyzing federal, state, and payor requirements. Under the federal Ryan Haight Act of 2008, a prescribing provider may prescribe controlled substances only after an in-person evaluation. An exception to that rule is when the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) declares a public health emergency (“PHE”). 21 C.F.R. § 1300.04(i)(4). During the COVID-19 PHE, the in-person requirement was waived. Although the PHE is over, the tele-prescribing flexibility for controlled substances remain. This post discusses the reasons why the DEA continues to allow the COVID-era flexibilities and what the Third Temporary Extension (issued November 19, 2024) does. If you have questions about tele-prescribing rules that may apply to your practice or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting https://www.littlehealthlaw.com/.

At the outset, here is a summary of the COVID-Era Flexibilities from the DEA’s March 20, 2020 press release, which our firm discussed in a previous blog post. DEA-registered practitioners may issue prescriptions for all schedule II-V controlled substances to patients for whom they have not conducted an in-person medical evaluation, if all the following conditions are met:

The prescription is issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a practitioner acting in the usual course of his/her professional practice;

Differences Between Direct Primary Care & Concierge Practices

November 4, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm works with many providers and medical practices to assist them in structuring medical practices that comply with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Over the last few years, physicians and other healthcare providers desire to create non-traditional medical practices. Traditional medical practices are those that accept commercial and government payors and bill insurance for medical care provided. Although many traditional practices offer great medical care, there are systemic issues with these practices, including long wait times, low reimbursement rates, high deductibles causing patients to pay out of pocket, restricted face-time with providers, limited practitioner availability, etc. Non-traditional medical practices aim to reduce some of these issues. Two major non-traditional practices are direct primary care (or DPC) practices and concierge practices. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they stand for unique models. This blog post discusses the differences between DPC and concierge practices. If you need assistance structuring your medical practice or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.littlehealthlaw.com.

Before identifying the major differences, it’s important to first understand these two models.

Direct Primary Care Practices: Continue reading ›

3 Considerations Before Offering SoftWave at Your Wellness Spa

September 12, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm works with many providers and medical practices to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations for given procedures, treatments, and prescriptions. As new treatments become popular, common questions circulate around who can and cannot order, prescribe, and/or administer such treatment. One device that is becoming popular is the SoftWave device. SoftWave uses ultrasound vibration to penetrate into muscles in an attempt to improve healing. This blog post outlines three considerations prior to introducing SoftWave or similar treatments to your medical and wellness practices’ offerings. If you need assistance understanding the full realm of considerations governing SoftWave or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.littlehealthlaw.com.

The Food and Drug Administration Approved it for Prescription Use

The FDA has approved the SoftWave device, specifically OrthoGold 100, as a Class 1 medical device that does not need its own premarket approval because it is substantially similar to a device that’s already FDA approved (the Dermablate Effect). The FDA only approved it for prescription use (not over the counter use). K182682-connective-tissue.pdf (softwavetrt.com).

UPDATE: FTC Non-Compete Rule Blocked by Federal Judge

August 23, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm guides many medical practices and physicians through employment matters. At this point, most people are aware that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published its final non-compete rule (“Non-Compete Rule”) on April 23, 2024. Our firm previously posted 3 Facts about the Non-Compete Rule, which provides information about the FTC Rule including that it limits non-competes both prospectively and retrospectively, applies to all workers with one limited exception, and that current non-compete disputes may still continue even if the Non-Compete Rule becomes effective. On August 20, 2024, a judge blocked the FTC from enforcing the Non-Compete Rule, and this post discusses that decision. If you need assistance with employment matters or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.littlehealthlaw.com.

Legal Challenges

The Non-Compete Rule was set to become effective on September 4, 2024 despite many challenges. Those challenges were Ryan, LLC v. FTC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, ATS Tree Services, LLC v. FTC in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Properties of the Villages, Inc. v. FTC in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Preliminary Court Orders

On July 3, 2024, the Judge in Ryan issued a Continue reading ›

3 Steps to Avoid Professional Boundary Violations

August 21, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm works with many providers as they undergo investigations, discipline, and/or hearings before the provider’s licensing board. Over the years, our firm has been able to determine which situations licensing boards find particularly worrisome. Boundary violations are often one of those situations that boards are particularly concerned with. This blog post outlines three steps for avoiding boundary violations. If you need assistance with a licensing board matter or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.littlehealthlaw.com.

Boundary violations discussed in this blog post include inappropriate relationships between provider and patient, which could involve romantic relationships or providing care to and writing prescriptions for immediate family members. Here three steps to avoid boundary violations.

First, know your licensing board’s rules!

These rules will explain boundaries that you, as a provider, must always maintain. For instance, Continue reading ›

The Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Rule

August 12, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm works with medical practices to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) aims to combat illicit activity including tax fraud and money laundering. The reporting rule under the CTA requires certain entities to file beneficiary ownership information (“BOI”) reports. This blog post provides an overview of the reporting requirements. If you need assistance understanding how the reporting rule applies to your business or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.littlehealthlaw.com.

The Report

The report must contain information about the entity and two categories of individuals: beneficial owners and company applicants. A beneficial owner is any individual who, directly or indirectly, exercises substantial control over a reporting company and anyone who owns or controls at least 25 percent of the ownership interests of a reporting company. Ownership includes equity, stock, voting rights, capital or profit interests, and convertible interests. As to company applicants, there are two categories. Continue reading ›

3 Key Facts About the FTC Non-Compete Rule

June 20, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm guides many medical practices and physicians through employment matters. At this point, most people are aware that the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) published its final non-compete rule on April 23, 2024. As of the date of this blog post, the rule is expected to become effective on September 4, 2024. There are legal challenges against the rule, including Ryan, LLC v. FTC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas and ATS Tree Services, LLC v. FTC in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The judges in both cases anticipate making some decisions in each case within the next few weeks, which will provide more information about whether the rule will become effective on September 4, 2024. It is important, however, that businesses begin gathering necessary information for counsel to review, such as all employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, and employee handbooks, now so that business are able to comply with the FTC rule if it becomes effective on September 4, 2024. If you need assistance preparing for and complying with the FTC rule or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@hamillittle.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.hamillittle.com.

In addition to the above information about key dates and current legal challenges, below are three key facts about the FTC non-compete rule as it is currently written:

The rule limits non-competes both prospectively and retrospectively. Prospectively, the rule prevents employers from entering into non-competition clauses after the effective date. Retrospectively, it prevents employers after the effective date from enforcing non-competes that it previously entered into (and requires the employer to provide notice of the same).

What does the rule mean by stating that an employer may not “enforce” an existing non-compete? This is broadly construed to mean that the employer may not do things like initiate a lawsuit, send a demand letter, or even remind the worker of his or her non-compete obligations during an exit interview.

The Cosmetic/Aesthetic Procedures Position Statement by the Georgia Board of Nursing

June 14, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm works with many medical spas to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Recently in Georgia, the Georgia Board of Nursing published two long-awaited position statements; one on “Cosmetic/Aesthetic Procedures,” and the other on “IV Hydration.” This blog post discusses the Nursing Board’s position statement on Cosmetic/Aesthetic Procedures. Even if your practice is not in Georgia, it is helpful to consider the perspective of different states because state licensing boards will often consider other published positions when developing policies and positions. If you need assistance understanding how either position statement impacts your practice or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@hamillittle.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.hamillittle.com.

Prior to discussing the substance of Nursing Board’s position, here are some important points: Continue reading ›

The IV Hydration Position Statement by the Georgia Board of Nursing

June 14, 2024 | Little Health Law

Our healthcare and business law firm works with many medical spas to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. This week in Georgia, the Georgia Board of Nursing published two long-awaited position statements; one on “Cosmetic/Aesthetic Procedures,” and the other on “IV Hydration.” This blog post discusses the Nursing Board’s position statement on IV Hydration. Even if your practice is not in Georgia, it is helpful to consider the perspective of different states because state licensing boards will often consider other published positions when developing policies and positions. If you need assistance understanding how either position statement impacts your practice or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare and business law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@hamillittle.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.hamillittle.com.

Prior to discussing the substance of Nursing Board’s position, here are some important points: Continue reading ›