Our healthcare and business law firm consistently works with physicians who are dealing with complications resulting from adverse reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank (“NPDB”). Certain entities, including medical licensure boards, facilities with a peer review process, and medical malpractice payers, have a duty to report specific actions or events to the NPDB. Any practitioner who has had the misfortune of having an action reported to the NPDB is likely aware of the negative impact such a report can have on his or her ability to practice. Sometimes, however, the information reported to the NPDB is inaccurate in whole or in part or, even if accurate, inappropriately reported. Inaccurate or inappropriate reports can have equally serious adverse impacts on a medical provider’s ability to practice as any correctly submitted NPDB report. This post outlines the process for disputing a report that is inaccurate or inappropriately report. If you have a question about the NPDB 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.
STEP 1: Dispute the Report with the Reporting Entity
The NPDB directs providers to contact the reporting organization before initiating a formal dispute with the NPDB. Doing this is as simple as it sounds: contact the reporting entity, explain why the report is inaccurate or not reported in accordance with NPDB requirements, and request they correct or void the report. If the report is accurate, yet a new action should have also been reported, you can also request that the reporting entity file a Revision-to-Action Report. Although reporting entities have a duty to correctly report to the NPDB, entities can be sanctioned for not reporting. As such, entities have an incentive to report if there is any question as to whether reporting is required. Motivating an entity to modify a report to make it more factually accurate is a much easier feat than motivating an entity to void a report. In our experience, entities have little incentive to void a report; they would rather the provider dispute the report to HHS and have HHS direct them to void the report. Continue reading ›
Our healthcare and business law firm works with healthcare providers and businesses to 
Our healthcare and business law firm works with numerous medical practices in compliance and regulatory matters. Many medical practices are unaware of the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”), and in particular the requirements to accommodate individuals with auditory disabilities (including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing). The ADA does not just prevent disability discrimination by employers. Title III of the ADA applies to “public accommodations.” A public accommodation is a business that is open to the public or provides goods or services to the public and specifically includes a “professional office of a health care provider.” 28 CFR 36.104; 
Our healthcare and business law firm works with many providers and other allied health professionals who are beginning their journeys of opening a Medical Spa. Medical Spas have been 
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Our healthcare and business law firm works with many behavioral health providers in establishing and operating their ABA associated businesses. We have a particular focus on such companies and will be producing a series of helpful articles to assist providers in navigating various operational and business hurdles to ensure they are able to effectively treat their patients.
At the beginning of COVID-19, telemedicine rules were softened on the state and federal level. In a 
As a healthcare and business law firm, many of our clients come to us with questions relating to the proper ordering and management of controlled substances. As such, we wanted to take this opportunity to point out a recent update to the DEA’s Practitioner’s Manual.
Our healthcare and business law firm works with many providers and other allied health professionals who are beginning their journeys of opening a Medical Spa. Medical Spa’s have been 
Our healthcare and business law firm works with many physicians in Georgia who are facing mental health and substance abuse difficulties. Sometimes those difficulties bleed into work and can cause work and/or licensure issues. Georgia offers an incredible resource dedicated to physician recovery in a way that protects Georgia citizens and minimizes career concerns for the physician—the Georgia Professional Health Program (“PHP”). This post provides 3 Facts about the Georgia PHP. If you are experiencing or are concerned about ramifications of a potential addiction or mental health disorder, in addition to seeking medical help, we recommend contacting an experienced attorney who can assist you through this difficult process and help minimize potential licensure and career impacts. If you have questions regarding this blog post or would like to speak with counsel regarding