Choosing a strong trademark can be more difficult than it looks. The risk of the mark being used by a third party as well as the risk of the mark being found as merely descriptive of the business, goods, or services offered is cause for concern.…
In May 2017, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 1107,[1] which cleared a path for the State’s various heath care professional boards, including the Texas Medical Board (“TMB”) and Texas State Board of Pharmacy (“TBP”), to offer greater, easier…
The State Medical Board of Ohio recently issued a Frequently Asked Questions Guidance Document (“FAQ”) on Rule 4731-11-09 of the Ohio Administrative Code, which governs when a physician or physician assistant can prescribe medication to a patient…
On September 7, 2017, the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) published Opinion 17-05 (“Opinion”) that allowed a retail pharmacy to include Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in the pharmacy’s discount benefit program. The…
Krieg DeVault is proud to announce that Christopher W. Bloomer has joined as an Associate in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, where he focuses his practice on all aspects of business, commercial, and complex litigation matters.
Prior to joining…
Krieg DeVault is proud to announce that the firm’s Associates volunteered at Coburn Place, a transitional housing and support agency for domestic violence victims in central Indiana, on October 3, 2017. An apartment was prepared for an incoming…
The Joint Commission is enhancing provider Element of Performance (“EP”) protocols regarding patient medications in response to the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis. Specifically, the Joint Commission has revised its Medication Management (MM) EPs “to…
The Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services (“Committee”) met on September 28, 2017, to discuss the following topics: 1) Potential improvements to the INSPECT program; and 2) the shortage of health care…
Krieg DeVault is pleased to announce that Partner Kay Dee Baird has been appointed to the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Central States Bankruptcy Workshop Advisory Board. Ms. Baird, an American Bankruptcy Institute (“ABI”) member, officially was…
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have devastated our nation in recent weeks and significantly impacted health care facilities in the affected areas. To better address preparedness for disasters such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the Centers for Medicare…
A July 21, 2017 letter from CMS approves Indiana’s State Plan Amendment (“SPA”) 17-0002, which “proposes to bring Indiana into compliance with the reimbursement requirements in the Covered Outpatient Drug final rule with comment.”[1] In review of…
A quick peek at CMS’ FY 2018 budget (and beyond) indicates that CMS is investing heavily in rules enforcement.[1] Encouraged by a Fraud Prevention System return on investment of $11.50 for every $1.00 spent[2], CMS sees enhanced enforcement as a…
