Residency contract season is in full swing, and early-career physicians are starting to receive the first wave of employment contracts for 2026 (or even 2027) start dates. At the same time, hospitals and private practices are rolling out updated contract templates that reflect a rapidly shifting financial, regulatory, and reimbursement environment.Across the resident, fellow, and
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Healthcare Non-Competes: Fall 2025 Update
Since the last update regarding non-compete agreements in healthcare, there have been recent developments over the past few weeks, both in the courts and with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), that have brought some clarity on restrictive covenants for healthcare professionals. At the federal level, the FTC is ramping up case-by-case enforcement, with a focus
What the Government Shutdown Means for Physicians
As of October 1st, the federal government is officially shut down after Congress failed to pass funding legislation. While the biggest direct impact will certainly be on furloughed federal workers and government agencies, if your practice relies on Medicare or Medicaid, or you are involved in research, there are ripple effects worth understanding.
What Stays
A Personal Message on My Retirement
After decades of serving the legal needs of physicians and healthcare providers, I have made the decision to retire from the practice of law effective October 31, 2025. It has been both a privilege and an honor to work alongside so many dedicated professionals over the years.
For the past several years, I have had
Update: HIPAA Final Rule on Reproductive Health Privacy
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule in April 2024 amending the HIPAA Privacy Rule to strengthen protections for reproductive health care information. The goal was to prevent medical records from being used to investigate or penalize patients or providers for seeking or offering lawful reproductive care.
However, in
When Your New Job Isn’t What You Signed Up For: A Physician’s Guide
Most physicians put significant thought and effort into reviewing and negotiating their employment contracts before signing. But what happens when you’ve started your new position, and now you’re noticing red flags: the call schedule is heavier than promised, your bonus formula doesn’t match what you understood, or the support staff and resources you were promised
CMS Unveils 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposal: Key Changes Ahead
On July 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule for the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. As expected, there are several meaningful updates that providers, practices, and health systems should be aware of.
One of the more significant changes is that CMS will split the conversion factor into two separate
New CMS Model Targets Inefficient Medicare Spending Through AI and Clinical Oversight
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the WISeR Model (Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction) to modernize and streamline Medicare’s prior authorization process. By partnering with tech companies, CMS will test the use of modern tools, such as artificial intelligence, to reduce unnecessary or low-value services that drive up costs and pose
DOJ Announces Largest Health Care Fraud Takedown in U.S. History
In the largest health care fraud takedown in U.S. history, the Justice Department announced charges against 324 individuals—including 96 licensed medical professionals—in connection with schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended losses across 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General Offices. The coordinated enforcement action led to the seizure of more than $245 million
Oregon Legislature Passes Nation’s Strictest Restrictions on the Corporate Practice of Medicine
Oregon is on the verge of passing a bill that would block private-equity ownership in healthcare practices. If passed, this measure would be the strictest ban on the corporate practice of medicine in the nation (read press release here). The bill would prohibit Management Services Organizations (MSOs) and their affiliates from owning or controlling