Physicians Must Post Prices For Walk-Ins Says New Law

Doctors may be shocked to find out they could be fined up to $1,000 a day for not posting fees for patients without appointments. The new "Health Care Transparency Bill" just passed by the Florida Legislature, requires the posting of rates charged by urgent care centers, walk-in clinics and any physicians who accept walk-ins. According to the new law, prices for the top most common procedures of the clinics must be displayed visibly in order to avoid steep fines.

Physicians and other health care providers can learn how this law applies to their practices and how to avoid compliance traps at a free webinar, "Posting Your Prices: Does the New Law Apply to You?" on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 from 5-6 p.m. To register, go here.

Although the law took effect on July 1, 2011, many health care providers are unaware of the new regulation and its possible pitfalls, says Lester Perling, a partner with the Fort Lauderdale office of the statewide law firm Broad and Cassel.

"Although intended for Urgent Care Centers, this law also could apply to any clinic that accepts walk-ins, including existing patients," he said. "Practices can incur fines of up to $10,000 per day for not complying with this regulation."

In addition to Perling, speakers for the webinar include Attorney Alan Gassman of Clearwater, Fla.-based Gassman, Bates & Associates, P.A., and Dr. Pariksith Singh.

Gassman is a board-certified estate planning lawyer who assists physicians, primarily on the west coast of Florida, with their practices and personal estate planning needs. In practice for 27 years, Gassman is a frequent author and speaker on topics related to asset protection and tax planning.

The immediate past chair of the Florida Bar's Health Law Section, Perling is a board-certified health law attorney, member of The Joint Commission's Home Care Professional and Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC), and author of the Medicare Claims Appeals Process Handbook.

Board-certified physician Dr. Singh is the CEO of Access Health Care, LLC, a multi-specialty group of approximately 85 providers in Florida, and CEO of Access 2 Health Care, LLC, an IPA that manages more than 15,000 managed care lives in Florida.

Source:
Broad and Cassel