Can You Win a Debate Posting a Patient’s Pics Online?
This question hit my desk. I’ve received some version of this same question over and over. A plastic surgeon performed aesthetic surgery on a patient. Objectively the results look good. Subjectively, the patient disagrees. Sound familiar? There’s a conflict. The patient takes the conflict online. … Read more
Healthgrades is Sued for Labeling a Physician as a Criminal
Dr. Hassan A. Saad is an orthopaedic surgeon practicing in Michigan. This physician shares the same first and last name as another physician, who worked in the same city. This other Dr. Hassan has a different middle initial. His middle initial is “T” and opposed … Read more
Workarounds to ‘The Dog Ate My Homework’
We live in a world of deadlines. When I was growing up, I learned the maxim, “Failure to properly plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.” Sound familiar? The excuse “the dog ate my homework” did not work in my … Read more
Regulation of Stem Cell Clinics: The Sands Are Shifting
Stem cells are promising. They may impact so many conditions down the road. Some clinics have a head start. They’ve been making claims that the future is here. Now. One major unknown was what authority the FDA has, if any, for regulating treated and spun-down … Read more
The Whirlwind World of GLP-1 Medications for Treatment of Obesity and Diabetes
If you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, take note that there are very effective medications used to treat obesity and type II diabetes. They include products with glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) activity. The two dominant players in the industry are Novo … Read more
Are You Covered by Insurance as a Medical Director? Are You Sure?
Many physicians are asked to serve as Medical Directors. Seems like easy money. What do Medical Directors do? Two things, actually. They act as administrators overseeing various operational issues – such as credentialing and privileging. And they serve as supervisors, assuming co-responsibility for mid-level providers. … Read more
Health System Refuses to Pay $5M+ Ransom to Prevent Leaked Nude Photos, Pays $65M to Settle Lawsuit Based on Released Photos
Physicians take all sorts of photographs. Some are part and parcel of a surgeon’s practice. Before and after photos of cosmetic surgery. For example. No surprises there. Patients of Lehigh Valley Health Network were surprised that hackers obtained photos of their naked bodies while undergoing … Read more
Does a Patient Need to Sign a HIPAA Authorization Form to Receive Their Own Records?
Generally, a patient needs to sign a HIPAA authorization form to disclose their protected health information. Unless there’s an exception. Such as addressing Treatment, Payment, or Operations (“TPO”). No written authorization is needed for such exceptions – for example, to disclose limited protected health information … Read more
Why Ongoing Access to an Attorney is a Smart Business Move for Physicians
Having continuous access to a medico-legal expert is not just a precaution but a strategic advantage for physicians. This proactive approach ensures that you’re equipped to handle both routine challenges and unexpected legal issues effectively. Physicians often face a range of potential legal challenges, from … Read more
Wow, Wound Care is Expensive
The Department of Justice periodically sends out memos identifying wins in its fight against healthcare fraud and abuse. I’ll quote the DOJ verbatim. Charges were filed in the District of Arizona against four individuals who allegedly filed $900 million in false and fraudulent claims to … Read more
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