Save Act

See below for summary information on this and related legislation.

No Surprises Act

• The dispute portal has been re-opened for individual disputes but the “batch disputes” have not yet been opened.

Anti-Trust Work

• It appears that the Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan took some notes when she spoke at ACEP in Philadelphia last month. The FTC, HHS, and DOJ are now collaborating on antitrust work. A memoranda of understanding was signed to identify potential mergers that have antitrust components that might otherwise have flown under the FTC radar. ACEP leader (Laura Wooster MPH) will be meeting with the head of the DO’s anti-trust division (JonathanKanter) next week to discuss initiatives.

Legislative Update

• HR.2474 – Inflation fee update on Medicare economic index — Conversion factor is likely to be 1.25%

SB 316/HB 345 – Proprietorship by Nonphysicians

Sponsors: Senator Bobby Powell and Representative Kelly Skidmore

BILL SUMMARY

458.45 Proprietorship by nonphysicians. — A person other than a physician licensed under this chapter, or an entity other than a group of physicians, a not-for-profit hospital, or a medical school licensed pursuant to general law, may not do any of the following:

(1) Employ a physician.

(2) Direct, control, or interfere with a physician’s clinical judgment.

(3) Have a relationship with a physician which would allow the unlicensed person or entity to exercise control over any of the following:

(a) The selection of a course of treatment for a patient, the procedures or materials to be used as part of such course of treatment, or the manner in which such course of treatment is carried out by the physician.

(b) The patient records of the physician.

(c) Policies and decisions relating to billing and advertising. (d) Policies and decisions relating to physician staffing,