In today’s episode of Hospice Insights: The Law and Beyond, Husch Blackwell’s Meg Pekarske is joined by colleagues Bryan Nowicki and Erin Burns to discuss the recent denial of physician visits. Over the last several months, a number of auditors have begun questioning the medical necessity of billed physician visits, claiming the physician services were solely administrative in nature. They break down the criteria auditors appear to be using, what this means for hospices and how hospices can avoid such denials. We hope you enjoy the conversation: https://bit.ly/3wUGeus

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Photo of Meg S.L. Pekarske Meg S.L. Pekarske

Meg has devoted her legal practice to serving the everchanging legal needs of the hospice industry. As chair of Husch Blackwell’s Hospice and Palliative Care Practice Group, she manages the firm’s hospice practice. In working day in and day out with hospice clients

Meg has devoted her legal practice to serving the everchanging legal needs of the hospice industry. As chair of Husch Blackwell’s Hospice and Palliative Care Practice Group, she manages the firm’s hospice practice. In working day in and day out with hospice clients across the country, Meg is intimately familiar with the operational challenges of hospices and has the experience to address the full spectrum of legal issues facing the industry, from routine regulatory compliance issues to multimillion dollar Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC), Medicaid and other government audits. Additionally, Meg routinely advises hospices on palliative care program development, innovative inpatient unit structures, fraud investigations and a wide range of contracting issues. With an extensive background in long-term care, Meg brings a unique perspective and skill set to helping hospices create successful partnerships with nursing homes and assisted living facilities and providing quality end-of-life care to patients.

Photo of Bryan K. Nowicki Bryan K. Nowicki

I lead the litigation and internal investigation efforts within Husch Blackwell’s Hospice and Palliative Care Practice Group. I work with hospices and healthcare providers across the country on a range of litigation, regulatory, compliance, and business matters. I represent clients in False Claims…

I lead the litigation and internal investigation efforts within Husch Blackwell’s Hospice and Palliative Care Practice Group. I work with hospices and healthcare providers across the country on a range of litigation, regulatory, compliance, and business matters. I represent clients in False Claims Act lawsuits, state and federal government fraud investigations, and audits by Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs), Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), and Medicaid Integrity Contractors (MICs). I also conduct and manage internal investigations of hospices and health care providers regarding a range of compliance matters.

Photo of Erin E. Burns Erin E. Burns

Erin is a member of the firm’s Hospice & Palliative Care Team, which collectively has over 25 years of experience working with hospice and palliative care providers across the country. Erin is dedicated to working collaboratively with clients to address their needs…

Erin is a member of the firm’s Hospice & Palliative Care Team, which collectively has over 25 years of experience working with hospice and palliative care providers across the country. Erin is dedicated to working collaboratively with clients to address their needs in an ever-changing, highly regulated industry. Her practice ranges from providing quick answers to immediate day-to-day operational questions to larger, more complex compliance issues. Erin and the Hospice & Palliative Care Team routinely guide hospice providers throughout all phases of government surveys, from strategizing and preparing plans of correction to interfacing with surveyors, as well as audits, including analysis of and response to alleged clinical, technical and statistical errors.