Mental Health Law Blog | The Health Law Firm Blog

Harvard Med School Morgue Director Allegedly Sold Body Parts, Class Action Says

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

In a morbid but extremely popular class action lawsuit filed on June 16, 2023, illegal body parts sales was alleged. The lawsuit against Harvard University contained allegations that its morgue manager was selling body parts from 350-400 donated cadavers. Many donors have now requested their bodies back.

Family members of the deceased had voluntarily donated the cadavers to the prestigious institution to further the medical and scientific study of the human body.

Massachusetts state law recognizes that […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:19-04:00October 4, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

How to Find an HPSO Insurance Attorney to Defend You in a Complaint Against Your Massage Therapy License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

We often hear from clients with professional licensing complaints and Department of Health investigations who have insurance coverage with Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance but could not find a lawyer who accepts it. They come to us after disciplinary action has been taken against their license to appeal or reverse it.

Our law firm and attorneys have represented individuals covered by HPSO Insurance for over 25 years. HPSO covers and pays for legal matters in various areas, such as administrative hearings, professional license complaints, investigations, depositions, HIPAA violations, and more.

Under these policies, the insurance company will […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:19-04:00September 27, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

Finding a Lawyer Who Accepts HPSO Insurance to Defend Healthcare Providers

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Healthcare professionals such as pharmacists, licensed mental health counselors, advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), and massage therapists often struggle to find experienced lawyers in Florida who will accept their professional liability insurance after receiving complaints from the Department of Health (DOH). Specifically, in this blog, the insurance provider in question is Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance.

Advantages of Having HPSO Insurance.

The medical professionals HPSO Insurance covers can give a sigh of relief knowing they have excellent insurance coverage. HPSO Insurance provides professional liability coverage that protects them in the event of a lawsuit or negligence […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:20-04:00September 11, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

Mental Health Counselors: Follow These Rules To Prevent Complaints and Keep Your Professional License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Licensed mental health counselors, psychologists, and other mental health care professionals are potential targets of licensure complaints from clients in any practice setting. Many legal situations and cases arise because the therapist has strayed over the line and crossed the therapist-client boundary. In reviewing the many disciplinary complaints and lawsuits I have handled, I have put together a list of simple “straightforward” rules. Following these rules can help save you many hours of stress and mental anguish and thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees and costs defending yourself.

These rules may appear […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:21-04:00September 10, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

What Payers Are Considered to Be “Federal Payers” Under the Federal Anti-kickback Statute?

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits remuneration in relation to the provision of a “good, facility, service, or item for which payment may be made in whole or in part under a Federal health care program.” 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b). The Anti-Kickback Statute goes on to define “federal health care program” as any government-funded plan or program that provides health benefits or any state health care program. 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(f). But exactly which payers are considered Federal health care programs? […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:21-04:00September 5, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

Medications and Other Substances that Mimic Prohibited Drugs on Urinalysis Drug Tests (Part 1 of a Blog Series)

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

In representing nurses and other licensed health professionals, we constantly discuss positive drug screenings, usually from employer-ordered drug testing, with our clients. These clients include nurses, pharmacists, dental professionals, mental health counselors, therapists, etc. Often these individuals need to remember that if they apply for a job with a new employer or are working for a large corporation or the government, they are subject to employer-ordered drug screenings. Most problems arise when the professional has applied to a hospital or a placement agency for work in a hospital and they must submit to a pre-employment drug […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:22-04:00August 23, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

Finding a Lawyer Who Accepts HPSO Insurance to Defend Healthcare Providers

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Healthcare professionals such as pharmacists, licensed mental health counselors, advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), and massage therapists often struggle to find experienced lawyers in Florida who will accept their professional liability insurance after receiving complaints from the Department of Health (DOH). Specifically, in this blog, the insurance provider in question is Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance.

Advantages of Having HPSO Insurance.

The medical professionals HPSO Insurance covers can give a sigh of relief knowing they have excellent insurance coverage. HPSO Insurance provides professional liability coverage that protects them in the event of a lawsuit or negligence […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:22-04:00August 23, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

Miami, Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Prison for HIV Drug Fraud Scheme; $230 Million Lost to Fraud

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On June 15, 2023, a United States District Judge sentenced a Florida man to 15 years in prison for his role in an HIV prescription drug fraud scheme that amassed more than $230 million in two years. The defendant was initially indicted on June 17, 2022, and charged with six counts of conspiracy and money laundering. Unlike most of the fraud convictions we report on, this one was directed against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and involved adulterating and misbranding drugs. The defendant pled guilty […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:23-04:00August 22, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

Licensed Professional Counselor Sentenced to Prison for $1.3 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On March 13, 2022, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for defrauding the Connecticut Medicaid Program of more than $1.3 million, announced the U.S. Attorney for the U.S. District of Connecticut. In addition to the prison time, he was sentenced to three (3) years of supervised probation upon release and ordered to pay restitution to Medicaid in the amount of $1,313,322.

A Wide-Ranging Fraud Scheme.

According to court documents, from 2014 to 2020, the defendant was a licensed professional counselor with offices in Hartford, Connecticut. Additionally, he owned two entities […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:25-04:00July 13, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|

Medicare Revocation and the Collateral Damage It Can Cause Health Care Providers

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Many healthcare professionals are unaware of the adverse long-term collateral effects of Medicare revocation or exclusion on their careers and future employment. However, if you are a physician, dentist, nurse, mental health counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, massage therapist, or other licensed health professional whose license is revoked or suspended, there may still be hope.
Lasting Consequences of Medicare Revocation.

A revocation or exclusion from Medicare is often a severe consequence of license discipline on a professional license and can devastate a provider’s career. The Centers for Medicare & […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T09:59:26-04:00June 27, 2023|Mental Health Law Blog|