Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues

Foley Partners Janice Anderson, Lena Robins, and Lawrence Vernaglia are speaking at the American Health Lawyers Association's (AHLA) Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues, March 25 - 27, 2009 in Baltimore, MD.

Ms. Robins is speaking on March 25, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. with Barry D. Alexander from Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, James F. Flynn from Bricker & Eckler LLP, and Christine C. Rinn from Crowell & Moring LLP. Their session is titled "Fundamentals of Medicare Parts A-D. Topics to be covered include: 

• Medicare “101”: Key concepts and terms
• Part A provider types and payment systems
• Part B suppliers and payment systems
• Medicare Part C - Medicare Advantage: Program structure, payment mechanisms and key implementation issues
• Part D—the Drug Benefit: Structure of program; eligibility, benefits, financing and regulatory challenges

Mr. Vernaglia is speaking on March 25, 2009 from 4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. His session is titled "Primer on Researching Medicare and Medicaid Issues: Source and Techniques. Topics to be covered include:

• Research source materials
• Update on CMS website redesign, increased search capabilities and utility of both
• Update on electronic research materials using AHLA Health Law Archive, other AHLA materials and commercial sources
• Development of a research plan for coverage, enrollment/participation, reimbursement/payment and repayment issues
• Practical tips for more effective, efficient research

Ms. Anderson is speaking on March 26, 2009 from 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. with Jason E. Bring from Arnall Golden Gregory LLP and again from 4:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Their session is titled "Update on Quality Initiatives and Value Based Purchasing in Medicare. Topics to be covered include:

• Update on the government’s three pronged approach to drive quality of care - payment reform, public reporting and enforcement
• The government’s approach to reducing adverse events and improving patient safety
• CMS’ “Roadmap to Value Based Purchasing” highlights changes to come
• What providers should be doing