Implementation of Michigan’s New Mask Exemption for Fully-Vaccinated Persons
On Friday, May 14th, 2021, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) modified its existing regulations regarding mandatory efforts to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus to exempt from its requirements “fully vaccinated” individuals. This change took effect on May 15, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. This relaxing of the Michigan mask rule […]
Coronavirus Relief Law Greatly Expands Employer’s Obligation To Provide Paid Leave
New emergency federal legislation, signed into law March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) should be noted by employers, particularly those with fewer than 500 employees. The FFCRA, which takes effect April 1, includes emergency leave protections that may have particular impact on smaller employers. Which employees are covered by the […]
CMS Applies the Brakes to Mandatory Bundled Payment Models: Proposed Rule to Revise the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model and Cancel the Episode Payment Models and Cardiac Rehabilitation Payment Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule on Thursday, August 17, 2017 (Proposed Rule)1 that, if adopted without significant change, will cancel three bundled payment models and a post-cardiac episode incentive model before their launch, and shrink the scope of another bundled payment model as it approaches its third year in […]
Michigan Expands Options for Personal Asset Protection
Business owners now have a new way to protect their personal assets. With Governor Snyder’s signing of the Qualified Dispositions in Trust Act (QDTA) on December 5, 2016, Michigan joins 16 other states that permit domestic asset protection trusts (DAPTs). DAPTs are irrevocable trusts which, when drafted and funded correctly, can shield assets in trust […]
The Controversial “Two-Midnight” Rule: Where We’ve Been And What To Expect When Implementation Begins Later This Year
On April 16, 2015, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law. Among other functions,1 MACRA further delayed the implementation of the much-anticipated provisions of the 2014 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule affecting reviews of inpatient admissions, including new guidelines for inpatient admissions known as the “two-midnight” rule, until […]
CMS Updates On Hospice Election Form, Revocation, And Designation Of Attending Physician
On April 3, 2015, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued Change Request 9114 to Medicare Administrative Contractors (“MACs”) implementing the changes finalized in the FY 2015 hospice rule regarding election, revocation, and designation of an attending physician. These changes are effective May 5, 2015. Background Upon electing hospice care, a beneficiary waives […]
Medicare “Probe and Educate” Period Extended Through April 30, 2015
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) recently announced that the Medicare Inpatient “probe and educate” period will be extended through April 30, 2015. Prior to this announcement, the Probe and Educate period was set to expire on March 31, 2015. As brief background, the “probe and educate” period was a CMS effort hoped […]
Wills, Trusts, and Powers Of Attorney; More Specifically, Why Your Choices Of Who Is To Serve Under A Power Of Attorney, Trust Or Will Are More Important And More Complicated than You Might Think
Estate planning documents can provide significant authority while one is alive, and after passing, of one’s business, personal and medical matters. Given their importance, and as the new year and then tax season are upon us, it is very timely to consider who your choices are in certain legal documents. Selections made should follow careful […]
New Caloric and Nutrition Posting Regulations Affecting Franchises
On December 1, 2014, the Health and Human Services Agency’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) published final regulations implementing the nutrition labeling provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), as amended by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FD&C Act”). Among other things, Section 4205 of the ACA set forth […]
