Current issues in health care delivery to be explored at ABA health law conference

Physicians and their counsel will explore the role of doctors in today’s changing health care environment during the American Bar Association’s Physicians Legal Issues: Healthcare Delivery & Innovation Conference, September 15-17 in Chicago. Sessions will cover new payment models, compliance issues, enforcement trends, contracting, tips for managing transactions, cybersecurity, the implications of new technologies and workplace issues for physicians.

Dr. Gerald E. Harmon, a trustee and the immediate past president of the American Medical Association and a family medicine specialist, will deliver the keynote address on Friday at 8:30 a.m. CDT on the myriad medical and legal issues arising for physicians and healthcare providers in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling.

Conference highlights include:

• “The No Surprises Act, Its Relationship to State Laws and Litigation” — A panel of experts, including an AMA attorney specializing in No Surprises Act (NSA) regulations and litigation, will provide practical considerations for pursuing a dispute under the NSA. They will also discuss current NSA regulatory developments, how the NSA relates to state out-of-network laws and results of NSA litigation. — Thursday, 9:20-10:20 a.m. CDT

• “Impacts of a Pandemic on the Hearts, Minds and Health of Medical Professionals” — An expert panel will explore the nature and extent of the pandemic’s effect on healthcare providers, including provider burnout and mental health challenges; provider safety concerns and protocols; staffing and coverage issues; contracting and compensation disputes; trends toward the increased use of telehealth and government interventions aimed at providing relief and protection. — Thursday, 10:35-11:35 a.m. CDT

• “David Takes on Goliath: Lessons Learned from Protracted Battle with DOJ/OIG” — The United States v. Reliance is the government’s test case against physician-owned spinal-implant companies. The government alleges that the ownership distributions made to physician owners are actually disguised kickbacks. A panel of experts will discuss the recently settled case, important takeaways for doctors and the OIG’s recent compliance view on such companies and similar joint ventures. — Thursday, 2:50-3:50 p.m. CDT

• “You Used to Call Me on My Cell Phone: Preparing for Post-PHE Telehealth” — A panel of experts will provide an overview of telehealth regulatory framework, including telehealth regulations, what temporarily changed during COVID-19, regulations that remain in place, what to consider when reviewing telehealth arrangements, fraud and abuse issues, privacy and regulations and rulemaking and legislation, including OIG and DOJ enforcement. — Thursday, 3:50-4:50 p.m. CDT

• “Physicians and Other Healthcare Provider Concerns with Medical Cannabis” — An expert panel will provide a general overview of the current cannabis landscape in the United States. They will discuss the legal concerns for physicians and other healthcare providers as cannabis enters into the healthcare industry, specifically with Medicare conditions of participation, DEA enforcement risks and relevant case law related to such topics, pragmatic approaches on policy development and analysis that could help determine risk levels for implementing cannabis into healthcare delivery and state legal frameworks on using cannabis. — Friday, 1:40-2:40 p.m. CDT

The Health Law Section is the voice of the national health law bar within the ABA. Its 8,500 strong members from across the United States represent clients in all segments of the health care industry, including physicians, hospitals and other institutional providers, teaching and research organizations, managed care organizations and other third-party payors, pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers. For additional information, www.americanbar.org/groups/health_law.