In: Nursing
For state and local public health departments, an important part of their work is addressing legal issues related to the health of their communities. To meet their responsibilities, state and local public health departments will often involve legal counsel and draw on the knowledge and experience of program staff. Briefly explain the key roles of legal counsels at state and local health department
Answer :
key roles of legal counsels at state and local health department :
• Provides counsel on health care laws including those on
privacy, Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs, fraud
and abuse, physician self-referral and anti-kickback laws, and
EMTALA.
• In collaboration with compliance staff, develops compliance
policies and procedures, and works closely with compliance to
investigate and resolve compliance concerns.
• Provides guidance on revenue cycle matters, including collection
and third-party liability issues.
• Provides guidance on billing, coding, and other reimbursement
matters for compliance with government and commercial health plan
requirements.
• Negotiates, drafts, and reviews contracts and other legal
documents, including real estate leases, property and asset
acquisitions,purchasing, joint ventures, managed care, physician
services, licenses and other intellectual property agreements,
academicaffiliations, and financing and bond documentation.
• Performs legal and factual research necessary to draft and
analyze various contracts, policies, and other documents and to
advise internal clients.
• Serves as a resource to the Deputy General Counsels, Chief Legal
Officer, CEO, UWHCA Board of Directors, and others on the
legislation creating UWHCA, legal and tax status of UWHCA and its
affiliates, leases, affiliation agreements and other transactions
with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public
Health (UWSMPH), the University of Wisconsin (UW), the Board of
Regents, and others.
• Responds to patient and external institutional issues as
assigned.
• Provides counsel on medical staff matters, including bylaws,
medical staff corrective action, and peer review. disciplinary
actions of medical staff and house staff.
• Provides counsel for legal aspects of patient care with
significant medico-legal dimensions, including informed consent,
medical
records/privacy issues, and patients' rights issues.
• Works cooperatively with attorneys and business leaders
representing UWSMPH, UW, joint venture partners, and affiliated
entities.
• Assists Risk Manager in management of claims.
• Assists in promoting efficiency of the legal department by
preparing templates, forms, outlines, instructional materials, and
other tools and resources.
• Serves on boards, committees, and work groups as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.