Annual Review of Proposed Medicare Quality Measures Excellent Opportunity For Insight, Input on What Health Care Quality Means

September 15, 2022

Employer and other health plan sponsors, fiduciaries and plan members hear a lot about about health care quality and its measures. However few understand what the quality data and ratings relied upon by health plans, Medicare or Medicaid, accreditation agencies or others making assertions about health care quality or how that data is measured.

While quality measures and meanings take many forms, one key measure used by Medicare, Medicaid and many other health plans, lawmakers, health quality commentators and others evaluating health care provider “quality” is the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Healthcare Information (“ONC”) electronic clinical quality measures (“eCQMs”) that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) requires many health care providers participating in Medicare or Medicaid to report for purposes of program participation and reimbursement.

eCQMs As Measure of HealthCare Quality

Electronic clinical quality measures or “eCQMs” are tools that ONC develops with stakeholder input to help Medicare and Medicaid measure and track the quality of health care services that eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) provide, as generated by a provider’s electronic health record (EHR). CMS Measuring and reporting eCQMs helps to ensure that our health care system is delivering effective, safe, efficient, patient-centered, equitable, and timely care. CMS’ eCQMs measure many aspects of patient care, including:

  • Patient and Family Engagement
  • Patient Safety
  • Care Coordination
  • Population/Public Health
  • Efficient Use of Healthcare Resources
  • Clinical Process/Effectiveness

To successfully participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) requires eligible providers, eligible hospitals, critical access hospitals and dual-eligible hospitals electronically to report on eCQMs determined by CMS that require the use of data from the provider’s certified electronic health record (“EHR”) technology (CEHRT) or other health information technology systems to measure and report quality measures in a standardized manner. For calendar year (CY) 2022, Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program participants arerequired to report on three self-selected eCQMand the Safe Use of Opioids – Concurrent PrescribingeCQM from the set of nine available for at least three self-selected quarters of CY 2022 data. To report eCQMs successfully, health care providers must use an EHR and adhere to the requirements identified by the CMS quality program. Failing to meet these eCQM reporting requirements can prevent the provider from meeting meaningful use requirements and trigger reductions in reimbursements for care.

Health care quality, credentialing, accreditation, and other provider, health plan and other organizations also use the eCQMs data alone or with other quality measures and tools to set standards and assess and enforce quality goals and performances.

2022 eCQMs Updates

Each year, CMS makes updates to the eCQMs approved for CMS programs to reflect changes in:

  • Evidence-based Medicine
  • Code Sets
  • Measure Logic

Conducted annually as part of OCN’s eCQM Issue Tracker project, the CRP provides eCQM users the opportunity to review and comment on draft changes to the eCQM specifications and supporting resources under consideration by the measure stewards. The goal of the CRP is for eCQM implementers to comment on the potential impact of draft changes to eCQMs so CMS and measure stewards can make improvements to meet CMS’s intent of minimizing provider and vendor burden in the collection, capture, calculation, and reporting of eCQMs. 

Every Fall, health care providers, health plans and insurers and other stakeholders concerned about these eCQMs have the opportunity to review and comment on draft changes to the eCQM specifications and supporting resources  under consideration by ONC as part of ONC’s 2022 Change Review Process (CRP) for the ONC Project Tracking System. Interested stakeholders must monitor the posting of issues and act quickly to share their feedback, however, as stakeholders have only two weeks to comment after a ONC posts a new proposed eCQm change.

Stakeholders with an account on the ONC Project Tracking System can monitor, review and comment on proposed eCQM changes through the eCQM Issue Tracker project during the two week period following the date the issue is posted in the eCQM Issue Tracker. To participate in the CRP, users must have an ONC Project Tracking System account. New users can create an account via the ONC Project Tracking System website.

The following table reflects the eCQM issues open on the eCQM Issue Tracker as of September 14, 2022 and their scheduled comment closing dates

Issues Open for Public Comment As of 9/14/2022

CMS eCQM Identifier and Measure TitleCRP Issue TitleIssue Number and LinkIssue TypeGoal of ReviewPublic Comment Open DatePublic Comment Close Date
Multiple measuresIncorporate ‘Diagnosis’ datatype to capture Hospice CareCQM-5561Logic; Value SetObtain clinical and technical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
CMS128: Anti-depressant Medication Management; CMS136: Follow-Up Care for Children Prescribed ADHD Medication (ADD); CMS156: Use of High-Risk Medications in Older AdultsUpdate Cumulative Medication Duration function to calculate maximum daily frequencyCQM-5562LogicObtain technical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
Multiple measuresExpand codes using ‘Diagnosis’ datatype to capture Palliative CareCQM-5563Logic; Value SetObtain clinical and technical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
Multiple measuresRequire 2 indications of frailty to meet exclusionCQM-5564Header; Logic; Measure Intent ClarificationObtain clinical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
CMS127: Pneumococcal Vaccination Status for Older AdultsExpand numerator to allow for pneumococcal vaccination since 19 years of ageCQM-5565Header; Logic; Measure Intent ClarificationObtain clinical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
eCQM Issue Tracker Open Issues As Of September 14, 2022

As proposed eCQM changes are posted for public comment as CRP issues. ONC informs eCQM accountholders of the proposed change or eCQM issue by posting for review in the ONC Project Tracking System. Accountholders only have two weeks after ONC posts a proposed eCQM to comment on the posted issue. Stakeholders interested in commenting on a particular issue must submit their comment in accordance with the directions within this two week period.

Depending on the nature of the proposed change, the proposed changing could impact the meaning, or significance of a eCQM by changing the way it is measured, the level or reporting or other aspects of the data and its magnitude. Consequently, understanding both what a eCQM measures and how that measurement is made and reported is important both to understand what actually is measured and to distinguish between changes in the measure resulting from a change in the actual delivery of the care the measure purports to measure versus changes in the result impacted by changes in measurement or reporting. For this reason, employer and other health plan sponsors, fiduciaries, insurers, administrators and other impacted stakeholders should use care to critically evaluate the eCQM and othe quality claims armed with a clear understanding both of the elements of the measurement and of any changes made to the measures across time that could influence the reported data and its significance in measuring and reporting quality and quality trends.

More Information

We hope this update is helpful. For more information about the these or other health or other legal, management or public policy developments, please contact the author Cynthia Marcotte Stamer via e-mail or via telephone at (214) 452 -8297

Solutions Law Press, Inc. invites you receive future updates by registering on our Solutions Law Press, Inc. Website and participating and contributing to the discussions in our Solutions Law Press, Inc. LinkedIn SLP Health Care Risk Management & Operations GroupHR & Benefits Update Compliance Group, and/or Coalition for Responsible Health Care Policy.  

About the Author

Recognized by her peers as a Martindale-Hubble “AV-Preeminent” (Top 1%) and “Top Rated Lawyer” with special recognition LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® as “LEGAL LEADER™ Texas Top Rated Lawyer” in Health Care Law and Labor and Employment Law; as among the “Best Lawyers In Dallas” for her work in the fields of “Labor & Employment,” “Tax: ERISA & Employee Benefits,” “Health Care” and “Business and Commercial Law” by D Magazine, Cynthia Marcotte Stamer is a practicing attorney board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and management consultant, author, public policy advocate and lecturer widely known for 30+ years of health industry and other management work, public policy leadership and advocacy, coaching, teachings, and publications.

A Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefit Counsel, Vice Chair of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) International Section Life Sciences and Health Committee, Past Chair of the ABA Managed Care & Insurance Interest Group, Scribe for the ABA JCEB Annual Agency Meeting with HHS-OCR, past chair of the the ABA RPTE Employee Benefits & Other Compensation Group and current co-Chair of its Welfare Benefit Committee, Ms. Stamer is most widely recognized for her decades of pragmatic, leading edge work, scholarship and thought leadership on health and managed care industry legal, public policy and operational concerns. 

Ms. Stamer’s work throughout her 30 plus year career has focused heavily on working with health care and managed care, health and other employee benefit plan, insurance and financial services and other public and private organizations and their technology, data, and other service providers and advisors domestically and internationally with legal and operational compliance and risk management, performance and workforce management, regulatory and public policy and other legal and operational concerns. 

For more information about Ms. Stamer or her health industry and other experience and involvements, see www.cynthiastamer.com or contact Ms. Stamer via telephone at (214) 452-8297 or via e-mail here

About Solutions Law Press, Inc.™

Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ provides human resources and employee benefit and other business risk management, legal compliance, management effectiveness and other coaching, tools and other resources, training and education on leadership, governance, human resources, employee benefits, data security and privacy, insurance, health care and other key compliance, risk management, internal controls and operational concerns. If you find this of interest, you also be interested reviewing some of our other Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ resources available here.  

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT THIS COMMUNICATION

If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information including your preferred e-mail by creating your profile here.

NOTICE: These statements and materials are for general informational and purposes only. They do not establish an attorney-client relationship, are not legal advice or an offer or commitment to provide legal advice, and do not serve as a substitute for legal advice. Readers are urged to engage competent legal counsel for consultation and representation in light of the specific facts and circumstances presented in their unique circumstance at any particular time. No comment or statement in this publication is to be construed as legal advice or an admission. The author and Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ reserve the right to qualify or retract any of these statements at any time. Likewise, the content is not tailored to any particular situation and does not necessarily address all relevant issues. Because the law is rapidly evolving and rapidly evolving rules makes it highly likely that subsequent developments could impact the currency and completeness of this discussion. The author and Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ disclaim, and have no responsibility to provide any update or otherwise notify anyone any such change, limitation, or other condition that might affect the suitability of reliance upon these materials or information otherwise conveyed in connection with this program. Readers may not rely upon, are solely responsible for, and assume the risk and all liabilities resulting from their use of this publication. Readers acknowledge and agree to the conditions of this Notice as a condition of their access of this publication. 

Circular 230 Compliance. The following disclaimer is included to ensure that we comply with U.S. Treasury Department Regulations. Any statements contained herein are not intended or written by the writer to be used, and nothing contained herein can be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties that may be imposed under federal tax law, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related transaction or matter addressed herein.

©2022 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. Limited non-exclusive right to republish granted to Solutions Law Press, Inc.™


Annual Review of Proposed Medicare Quality Measures Excellent Opportunity For Insight, Input on What Health Care Quality Means

September 15, 2022

Act Promptly To Comment On Proposed Changes To ONC’s Electronic Clinical Quality Measures

Employer and other health plan sponsors, fiduciaries and plan members hear a lot about about health care quality and its measures. However few understand what the quality data and ratings relied upon by health plans, Medicare or Medicaid, accreditation agencies or others making assertions about health care quality or how that data is measured.

While quality measures and meanings take many forms, one key measure used by Medicare, Medicaid and many other health plans, lawmakers, health quality commentators and others evaluating health care provider “quality” is the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Healthcare Information (“ONC”) electronic clinical quality measures (“eCQMs”) that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) requires many health care providers participating in Medicare or Medicaid to report for purposes of program participation and reimbursement.

eCQMs As Measure of Health Care Quality

Electronic clinical quality measures or “eCQMs” are tools that ONC develops with stakeholder input to help Medicare and Medicaid measure and track the quality of health care services that eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) provide, as generated by a provider’s electronic health record (EHR). CMS Measuring and reporting eCQMs helps to ensure that our health care system is delivering effective, safe, efficient, patient-centered, equitable, and timely care. CMS’ eCQMs measure many aspects of patient care, including:

  • Patient and Family Engagement
  • Patient Safety
  • Care Coordination
  • Population/Public Health
  • Efficient Use of Healthcare Resources
  • Clinical Process/Effectiveness

To successfully participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) requires eligible providers, eligible hospitals, critical access hospitals and dual-eligible hospitals electronically to report on eCQMs determined by CMS that require the use of data from the provider’s certified electronic health record (“EHR”) technology (CEHRT) or other health information technology systems to measure and report quality measures in a standardized manner. For calendar year (CY) 2022, Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program participants arerequired to report on three self-selected eCQMand the Safe Use of Opioids – Concurrent PrescribingeCQM from the set of nine available for at least three self-selected quarters of CY 2022 data. To report eCQMs successfully, health care providers must use an EHR and adhere to the requirements identified by the CMS quality program. Failing to meet these eCQM reporting requirements can prevent the provider from meeting meaningful use requirements and trigger reductions in reimbursements for care.

Health care quality, credentialing, accreditation, and other provider, health plan and other organizations also use the eCQMs data alone or with other quality measures and tools to set standards and assess and enforce quality goals and performances.

2022 eCQMs Updates

Each year, CMS makes updates to the eCQMs approved for CMS programs to reflect changes in:

  • Evidence-based Medicine
  • Code Sets
  • Measure Logic

Conducted annually as part of OCN’s eCQM Issue Tracker project, the CRP provides eCQM users the opportunity to review and comment on draft changes to the eCQM specifications and supporting resources under consideration by the measure stewards. The goal of the CRP is for eCQM implementers to comment on the potential impact of draft changes to eCQMs so CMS and measure stewards can make improvements to meet CMS’s intent of minimizing provider and vendor burden in the collection, capture, calculation, and reporting of eCQMs. 

Every Fall, health care providers, health plans and insurers and other stakeholders concerned about these eCQMs have the opportunity to review and comment on draft changes to the eCQM specifications and supporting resources  under consideration by ONC as part of ONC’s 2022 Change Review Process (CRP) for the ONC Project Tracking System. Interested stakeholders must monitor the posting of issues and act quickly to share their feedback, however, as stakeholders have only two weeks to comment after a ONC posts a new proposed eCQm change.

Stakeholders with an account on the ONC Project Tracking System can monitor, review and comment on proposed eCQM changes through the eCQM Issue Tracker project during the two week period following the date the issue is posted in the eCQM Issue Tracker. To participate in the CRP, users must have an ONC Project Tracking System account. New users can create an account via the ONC Project Tracking System website.

Issues Open for Public Comment As of 9/14/2022

The following table reflects the eCQM issues open on the eCQM Issue Tracker as of September 14, 2022 and their scheduled comment closing dates:

CMS eCQM Identifier and Measure TitleCRP Issue TitleIssue Number and LinkIssue TypeGoal of ReviewPublic Comment Open DatePublic Comment Close Date
Multiple measuresIncorporate ‘Diagnosis’ datatype to capture Hospice CareCQM-5561Logic; Value SetObtain clinical and technical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
CMS128: Anti-depressant Medication Management; CMS136: Follow-Up Care for Children Prescribed ADHD Medication (ADD); CMS156: Use of High-Risk Medications in Older AdultsUpdate Cumulative Medication Duration function to calculate maximum daily frequencyCQM-5562LogicObtain technical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
Multiple measuresExpand codes using ‘Diagnosis’ datatype to capture Palliative CareCQM-5563Logic; Value SetObtain clinical and technical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
Multiple measuresRequire 2 indications of frailty to meet exclusionCQM-5564Header; Logic; Measure Intent ClarificationObtain clinical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
CMS127: Pneumococcal Vaccination Status for Older AdultsExpand numerator to allow for pneumococcal vaccination since 19 years of ageCQM-5565Header; Logic; Measure Intent ClarificationObtain clinical feedback09/07/202209/21/2022
eCQM Issue Tracker Open Issues As Of September 14, 2022

As proposed eCQM changes are posted for public comment as CRP issues. ONC informs eCQM accountholders of the proposed change or eCQM issue by posting for review in the ONC Project Tracking System. Accountholders only have two weeks after ONC posts a proposed eCQM to comment on the posted issue. Stakeholders interested in commenting on a particular issue must submit their comment in accordance with the directions within this two week period.

Depending on the nature of the proposed change, the proposed changing could impact the meaning, or significance of a eCQM by changing the way it is measured, the level or reporting or other aspects of the data and its magnitude. Consequently, understanding both what a eCQM measures and how that measurement is made and reported is important both to understand what actually is measured and to distinguish between changes in the measure resulting from a change in the actual delivery of the care the measure purports to measure versus changes in the result impacted by changes in measurement or reporting. For this reason, employer and other health plan sponsors, fiduciaries, insurers, administrators and other impacted stakeholders should use care to critically evaluate the eCQM and othe quality claims armed with a clear understanding both of the elements of the measurement and of any changes made to the measures across time that could influence the reported data and its significance in measuring and reporting quality and quality trends.

More Information

We hope this update is helpful. For more information about the these or other health or other legal, management or public policy developments, please contact the author Cynthia Marcotte Stamer via e-mail or via telephone at (214) 452 -8297

Solutions Law Press, Inc. invites you receive future updates by registering on our Solutions Law Press, Inc. Website and participating and contributing to the discussions in our Solutions Law Press, Inc. LinkedIn SLP Health Care Risk Management & Operations GroupHR & Benefits Update Compliance Group, and/or Coalition for Responsible Health Care Policy.  

About the Author

Recognized by her peers as a Martindale-Hubble “AV-Preeminent” (Top 1%) and “Top Rated Lawyer” with special recognition LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® as “LEGAL LEADER™ Texas Top Rated Lawyer” in Health Care Law and Labor and Employment Law; as among the “Best Lawyers In Dallas” for her work in the fields of “Labor & Employment,” “Tax: ERISA & Employee Benefits,” “Health Care” and “Business and Commercial Law” by D Magazine, Cynthia Marcotte Stamer is a practicing attorney board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and management consultant, author, public policy advocate and lecturer widely known for 30+ years of health industry and other management work, public policy leadership and advocacy, coaching, teachings, and publications.

A Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefit Counsel, Vice Chair of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) International Section Life Sciences and Health Committee, Past Chair of the ABA Managed Care & Insurance Interest Group, Scribe for the ABA JCEB Annual Agency Meeting with HHS-OCR, past chair of the the ABA RPTE Employee Benefits & Other Compensation Group and current co-Chair of its Welfare Benefit Committee, Ms. Stamer is most widely recognized for her decades of pragmatic, leading edge work, scholarship and thought leadership on health and managed care industry legal, public policy and operational concerns. 

Ms. Stamer’s work throughout her 30 plus year career has focused heavily on working with health care and managed care, health and other employee benefit plan, insurance and financial services and other public and private organizations and their technology, data, and other service providers and advisors domestically and internationally with legal and operational compliance and risk management, performance and workforce management, regulatory and public policy and other legal and operational concerns. 

For more information about Ms. Stamer or her health industry and other experience and involvements, see www.cynthiastamer.com or contact Ms. Stamer via telephone at (214) 452-8297 or via e-mail here

About Solutions Law Press, Inc.™

Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ provides human resources and employee benefit and other business risk management, legal compliance, management effectiveness and other coaching, tools and other resources, training and education on leadership, governance, human resources, employee benefits, data security and privacy, insurance, health care and other key compliance, risk management, internal controls and operational concerns. If you find this of interest, you also be interested reviewing some of our other Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ resources available here.  

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT THIS COMMUNICATION

If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information including your preferred e-mail by creating your profile here.

NOTICE: These statements and materials are for general informational and purposes only. They do not establish an attorney-client relationship, are not legal advice or an offer or commitment to provide legal advice, and do not serve as a substitute for legal advice. Readers are urged to engage competent legal counsel for consultation and representation in light of the specific facts and circumstances presented in their unique circumstance at any particular time. No comment or statement in this publication is to be construed as legal advice or an admission. The author and Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ reserve the right to qualify or retract any of these statements at any time. Likewise, the content is not tailored to any particular situation and does not necessarily address all relevant issues. Because the law is rapidly evolving and rapidly evolving rules makes it highly likely that subsequent developments could impact the currency and completeness of this discussion. The author and Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ disclaim, and have no responsibility to provide any update or otherwise notify anyone any such change, limitation, or other condition that might affect the suitability of reliance upon these materials or information otherwise conveyed in connection with this program. Readers may not rely upon, are solely responsible for, and assume the risk and all liabilities resulting from their use of this publication. Readers acknowledge and agree to the conditions of this Notice as a condition of their access of this publication. 

Circular 230 Compliance. The following disclaimer is included to ensure that we comply with U.S. Treasury Department Regulations. Any statements contained herein are not intended or written by the writer to be used, and nothing contained herein can be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties that may be imposed under federal tax law, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related transaction or matter addressed herein.

©2022 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. Limited non-exclusive right to republish granted to Solutions Law Press, Inc.™


AHRQ Mental Health Mobile Apps Selection Tips

July 6, 2022

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) issued a brief called “Evaluation of Mental Health Mobile Applications” to help healthcare experts pick out mental health mobile health applications. Along with choosing mental Health applications and other health plan mental health benefit design, plan sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators and insurers also must ensure their overall plan design and all features comply with federal mental health parity mandates.

The report covers three areas: risk and mitigation strategies, functions, and mental health app features.

AHRQ hopes the tips will help providers, patients, and payers in selecting mental health mobile applications and seeking the best fit based on various features.

The report is part of a growing list of resources and enforcement efforts federal and state agencies have initiated over the past year as part of growing concerns about mental health.

Along with educational outreach and tools, the Employee Benefit Security Administration and Department of Health and Human Services also are ratcheting up audits and enforcement of federal mental health parity mandates. Given this heightened scrutiny, employer and other health plan sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators and insurers using mobile applications or other virtual mental health solutions in their health plans should arrange for a compliance review of their health plan compliance with these mandates within the scope of attorney client privilege to mitigate liability risks.

In a recent American Bar Association Joint Committee on Employee Benefits webinar moderated by Cynthia Marcotte Stamer, the EBSA’s Director of Health Plan Compliance and Enforcement Amber Rivers emphasized her agency is prioritizing mental health parity compliance a free recent audits showed widespread noncompliance with the requirement for parity in nonqualitative mental health conditions.

More Information.

For additional information about the requirements or concerns discussed in this article, republication or other related matters, please contact the author, employment lawyer Cynthia Marcotte Stamer via e-mail, via telephone at (214) 452 -8297 or on LinkedIn.

Solutions Law Press, Inc. invites you to receive future updates by registering here and participating and contributing to the discussions in our Solutions Law Press, Inc. LinkedIn SLP Health Care Risk Management & Operations GroupHR & Benefits Update Compliance Group, and/or Coalition for Responsible Health Care Policy. If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information including your preferred e-mail by creating your profile here.

About the Author

Recognized by her peers as a Martindale-Hubble “AV-Preeminent” (Top 1%) and “Top Rated Lawyer” with special recognition LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® as “LEGAL LEADER™ Texas Top Rated Lawyer” in Health Care Law and Labor and Employment Law; as among the “Best Lawyers In Dallas” for her work in the fields of “Labor & Employment,” “Tax: Erisa & Employee Benefits,” “Health Care” and “Business and Commercial Law” by D Magazine, Cynthia Marcotte Stamer is a practicing attorney board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and management consultant, author, public policy advocate and lecturer widely known for management work, coaching, teachings, and publications.

A Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefit Counsel, the American Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation, well-known for her extensive work with health and other employee benefits, health care and life sciences, insurance, financial services, technology, and other highly regulated and performance reliant organizations and their leadership, Ms. Stamer works with these and other businesses and their management, employee benefit plans, insurers, health care and life sciences, governments and other organizations deal with all aspects of health care, human resources and workforce, internal controls and regulatory compliance, change management and other performance and operations management and compliance. Her day-to-day work encompasses both labor and employment issues, as well as independent contractor, outsourcing, employee leasing, management services and other nontraditional service relationships. She supports her clients both on a real-time, “on demand” basis and with longer term basis to deal with all aspects for workforce and human resources management, including, recruitment, hiring, firing, compensation and benefits, promotion, discipline, Form I-9 and other compliance, trade secret and confidentiality, noncompetition, privacy and data security, safety, daily performance and operations management, internal controls, emerging crises, strategic planning, process improvement and change management, investigations, defending litigation, audits, investigations or other enforcement challenges, government affairs and public policy. her more than 30 years’ of experience encompasses domestic and international businesses of all types and sizes.

Ms. Stamer also shares her thought leadership, experience and advocacy on these and other concerns by her service as a practicing attorney, as well as as an industry, policy management consultant, and policy strategist as well through her leadership participation in professional and civic organizations. Examples of her many leadership involvements include service as the Vice President and Executive Director of the North Texas Healthcare Compliance Association; Executive Director of the Coalition on Responsible Health Policy and its PROJECT COPE: Coalition on Patient Empowerment; Vice Chair of the ABA International Law Section Life Sciences and Health Committee; Vice Chair of the ABA Tort & Insurance Practice Section Medicine and Law Committee and former Vice Chair of its Employee Benefits Committee and its Worker’s Compensation Commitee; Past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section Managed Care & Insurance Section; ABA Real Property Probate and Trust (RPTE) Section former Employee Benefits Group Chair, current Welfare Committee Co-Chair and past RPTE Representative to ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits Council Representative, and Defined Contribution Committee Co-Chair, past Welfare Benefit Committee Chair and current Employee Benefits Group Fiduciary Responsibility Committee Co-Chair, Substantive and Group Committee member, Membership Committee member and RPTE Representative to the ABA Health Law Coordinating Council; past Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Committee; a former member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer, Member and Continuing Education Chair of the Southwest Benefits Association; former Board President of the early childhood development intervention agency, The Richardson Development Center for Children; former Gulf Coast TEGE Council Exempt Organization Coordinator; a founding Board Member and past President of the Alliance for Healthcare Excellence; former board member and Vice President of the Managed Care Association; past Board Member and Board Compliance Committee Chair for the National Kidney Foundation of North Texas; a member and policy adviser to the National Physicians’ Council for Healthcare Policy and others.

Ms. Stamer also is a widely published author, highly popular lecturer, and serial symposia chair, who publishes and speaks extensively on human resources, labor and employment, employee benefits, compensation, occupational safety and health, and other leadership, performance, regulatory and operational risk management, public policy and community service concerns for the American Bar Association, ALI-ABA, American Health Lawyers, Society of Human Resources Professionals, the Southwest Benefits Association, the Society of Employee Benefits Administrators, the American Law Institute, Lexis-Nexis, Atlantic Information Services, The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), InsuranceThoughtLeaders.com, Benefits Magazine, Employee Benefit News, Texas CEO Magazine, HealthLeaders, the HCCA, ISSA, HIMSS, Modern Healthcare, Managed Healthcare, Institute of Internal Auditors, Society of CPAs, Business Insurance, Employee Benefits News, World At Work, Benefits Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Business Journal, the Houston Business Journal, and many other symposia and publications. She also has served as an Editorial Advisory Board Member for human resources, employee benefit and other management focused publications of BNA, HR.com, Employee Benefit News, InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com and many other prominent publications and speaks and conducts training for a broad range of professional organizations and for clients on the Advisory Boards of InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com, HR.com, Employee Benefit News, and many other publications.

About Solutions Law Press, Inc.™

Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ provides human resources and employee benefit and other business risk management, legal compliance, management effectiveness and other coaching, tools and other resources, training and education on leadership, governance, human resources, employee benefits, data security and privacy, insurance, health care and other key compliance, risk management, internal controls and operational concerns. If you find this of interest, you also be interested reviewing some of our other Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ resources at SolutionsLawPress.com including the following:

NOTICE: These statements and materials are for general informational and purposes only. They do not establish an attorney-client relationship, are not legal advice, and do not serve as a substitute for legal advice. Readers are urged to engage competent legal counsel for consultation and representation in light of the specific facts and circumstances presented in their unique circumstance at any particular time. No comment or statement in this publication is to be construed as an admission. The author reserves the right to qualify or retract any of these statements at any time. Likewise, the content is not tailored to any particular situation and does not necessarily address all relevant issues. Because the law is rapidly evolving and rapidly evolving rules makes it highly likely that subsequent developments could impact the currency and completeness of this discussion. The presenter and the program sponsor disclaim, and have no responsibility to provide any update or otherwise notify any participant of any such change, limitation, or other condition that might affect the suitability of reliance upon these materials or information otherwise conveyed in connection with this program. Readers may not rely upon, are solely responsible for, and assume the risk and all liabilities resulting from their use of this publication.

Circular 230 Compliance. The following disclaimer is included to ensure that we comply with U.S. Treasury Department Regulations. Any statements contained herein are not intended or written by the writer to be used, and nothing contained herein can be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties that may be imposed under federal tax law, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related transaction or matter addressed herein.

©2022 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. Non-exclusive right to republish granted to Solutions  Law Press, Inc.™   For information about republication, please contact the author directly.  All other rights reserved.


Comment To OCR By 6/6 To Help Shape How OCR Implements HITECH Act Recognized Security Practices Standards For Purposes Of Setting Civil Monetary Penalties Under HIPAA Security Rules.

April 29, 2022

June 6, 2022 is the deadline for health plans, their sponsors, fiduciaries, administrative and other business associates and others to provide input to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) that OCR says it seeks to help shape how it defines and implements the “recognized security standards” requirements of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH Act), as amended in 2021 for purposes of its administration and enforcement of civil monetary penalty and other provisions of of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“”HIPAA”). The regulatory and enforcement decisions that OCR makes could significantly impact the civil monetary penalty liability, compliance, audit and recordkeeping responsibilities that health plans, health care providers, health care clearinghouses and their business associates (“Covered Entities”) face under the HIPAA Security and Breach Notification Rules.

OCR is inviting public input on two issues under the OCR Request for Information on Considerations for Implementing the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, as Amended (RFI) released April 6, 2022:

  • The definition and administration of the “recognized security practice” factor the HITECH Act requires OCR to consider when assessing audit results, civil monetary penalty and settlement amounts and other HIPAA Security and Breach Rule enforcement; and
  • The rules that OCR will follow to determine when and how OCR will share portions of amounts it receives from civil monetary penalties or settlements with individuals harmed by breaches of electronic protected health information, 

Recognized Security Practices

Section 13412 of the HITECH Act requires HHS to take into consideration certain recognized security practices of covered entities (health plans, health care clearinghouses, and most health care providers) and business associates1 when determining potential fines, audit results, or other remedies for resolving potential violations of the HIPAA Security Rule pursuant to an investigation, compliance review, or audit. 

A primary goal of the requirement, which took effect January 5, 2021, is to encourage covered entities and business associates to do “everything in their power to safeguard patient data.”

The RFI solicits comment on how covered entities and business associates are implementing “recognized security practices,” how they anticipate adequately demonstrating that recognized security practices are in place, and any implementation issues they would like OCR to clarify through future guidance or rulemaking.

Civil Money Penalty (CMP) and Settlement Sharing

Section 13410(c)(3) of the HITECH Act requires HHS to establish by regulation a methodology under which an individual harmed by a potential violation of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and/or Breach Notification Rules may receive a percentage of any CMP or monetary settlement collected with respect to that offense.

Section 13140(d)(1) of HITECH requires that OCR base determinations of appropriate penalty amounts on the nature and extent of the violation and the nature and extent of the harm resulting from such violation. The HITECH Act does not define “harm,” nor does it provide direction to aid HHS in defining the term.

The RFI solicits public comment on the types of harms that should be considered in the distribution of CMPs and monetary settlements to harmed individuals, discusses potential methodologies for sharing and distributing monies to harmed individuals, and invites the public to submit alternative methodologies.

Comments Due 6/6

Health plan and other Covered Entity input could significantly impact how OCR implements and administers these two important aspects of the HIPAA Security Rule going forward.  As these decisions are likely to significantly impact the policies, practices, recordkeeping, breach investigation and other obligations that Covered Entities would need to meet in the event of an audit, breach or other investigation or enforcement, timely, thoughtful input from all Covered Entities and affected stakeholders is important.  In addition, its decisions on how to distribute CMPs.

For more information about the RFI or instructions for submitting comments, see here.

Health Plan Security & Breach Exposures Beyond HIPAA

Beyond the significant exposures health plans and their business associates may face under HIPAA, recent Department of Labor Employee Benefit Security Administration (“EBSA”) guidance also signals growing risks for health plans and their fiduciaries under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. See e.g., HIPAA & ERISA Fiduciary Rules Drive Imperative To Protect Health Plan Data & Systems From Hacking & Other Cyber Threats.

These are just some of the emerging health plan compliance risks and responsibilities that health plan, their fiduciaries, sponsors, administrators, service providers and insurers need to watch and manage. Amber M. Rivers, Director of the Employee Benefit Security Administration Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance will discuss these and other risks during the “Department of Labor Health Plan Compliance and Enforcement Update” at a virtual program hosted by the American Bar Association Joint Committee on Employee Benefits from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time on May 5, 2022 to be moderated by Solutions Law Press, Inc. author and publisher, attorney Cynthia Marcotte Stamer will moderate the program.

For additional information about or to register for this program, see here.

More Information.

For additional information about the requirements or concerns discussed in this article, republication or other related matters, please contact the author, employment lawyer Cynthia Marcotte Stamer via e-mail, via telephone at (214) 452 -8297 or on LinkedIn.

Solutions Law Press, Inc. invites you to receive future updates by registering here and participating and contributing to the discussions in our Solutions Law Press, Inc. LinkedIn SLP Health Care Risk Management & Operations GroupHR & Benefits Update Compliance Group, and/or Coalition for Responsible Health Care Policy. If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information including your preferred e-mail by creating your profile here.

About the Author

Recognized by her peers as a Martindale-Hubble “AV-Preeminent” (Top 1%) and “Top Rated Lawyer” with special recognition LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® as “LEGAL LEADER™ Texas Top Rated Lawyer” in Health Care Law and Labor and Employment Law; as among the “Best Lawyers In Dallas” for her work in the fields of “Labor & Employment,” “Tax: Erisa & Employee Benefits,” “Health Care” and “Business and Commercial Law” by D Magazine, Cynthia Marcotte Stamer is a practicing attorney board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and management consultant, author, public policy advocate and lecturer widely known for management work, coaching, teachings, and publications.

A Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefit Counsel, the American Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation, well-known for her extensive work with health and other employee benefits, health care and life sciences, insurance, financial services, technology, and other highly regulated and performance reliant organizations and their leadership, Ms. Stamer works with these and other businesses and their management, employee benefit plans, insurers, health care and life sciences, governments and other organizations deal with all aspects of health care, human resources and workforce, internal controls and regulatory compliance, change management and other performance and operations management and compliance. Her day-to-day work encompasses both labor and employment issues, as well as independent contractor, outsourcing, employee leasing, management services and other nontraditional service relationships. She supports her clients both on a real-time, “on demand” basis and with longer term basis to deal with all aspects for workforce and human resources management, including, recruitment, hiring, firing, compensation and benefits, promotion, discipline, Form I-9 and other compliance, trade secret and confidentiality, noncompetition, privacy and data security, safety, daily performance and operations management, internal controls, emerging crises, strategic planning, process improvement and change management, investigations, defending litigation, audits, investigations or other enforcement challenges, government affairs and public policy. her more than 30 years’ of experience encompasses domestic and international businesses of all types and sizes.

Ms. Stamer also shares her thought leadership, experience and advocacy on these and other concerns by her service as a practicing attorney, as well as as an industry, policy management consultant, and policy strategist as well through her leadership participation in professional and civic organizations. Examples of her many leadership involvements include service as the Vice President and Executive Director of the North Texas Healthcare Compliance Association; Executive Director of the Coalition on Responsible Health Policy and its PROJECT COPE: Coalition on Patient Empowerment; Vice Chair of the ABA International Law Section Life Sciences and Health Committee; Vice Chair of the ABA Tort & Insurance Practice Section Medicine and Law Committee and former Vice Chair of its Employee Benefits Committee and its Worker’s Compensation Commitee; Past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section Managed Care & Insurance Section; ABA Real Property Probate and Trust (RPTE) Section former Employee Benefits Group Chair, current Welfare Committee Co-Chair and past RPTE Representative to ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits Council Representative, and Defined Contribution Committee Co-Chair, past Welfare Benefit Committee Chair and current Employee Benefits Group Fiduciary Responsibility Committee Co-Chair, Substantive and Group Committee member, Membership Committee member and RPTE Representative to the ABA Health Law Coordinating Council; past Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Committee; a former member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer, Member and Continuing Education Chair of the Southwest Benefits Association; former Board President of the early childhood development intervention agency, The Richardson Development Center for Children; former Gulf Coast TEGE Council Exempt Organization Coordinator; a founding Board Member and past President of the Alliance for Healthcare Excellence; former board member and Vice President of the Managed Care Association; past Board Member and Board Compliance Committee Chair for the National Kidney Foundation of North Texas; a member and policy adviser to the National Physicians’ Council for Healthcare Policy and others.

Ms. Stamer also is a widely published author, highly popular lecturer, and serial symposia chair, who publishes and speaks extensively on human resources, labor and employment, employee benefits, compensation, occupational safety and health, and other leadership, performance, regulatory and operational risk management, public policy and community service concerns for the American Bar Association, ALI-ABA, American Health Lawyers, Society of Human Resources Professionals, the Southwest Benefits Association, the Society of Employee Benefits Administrators, the American Law Institute, Lexis-Nexis, Atlantic Information Services, The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), InsuranceThoughtLeaders.com, Benefits Magazine, Employee Benefit News, Texas CEO Magazine, HealthLeaders, the HCCA, ISSA, HIMSS, Modern Healthcare, Managed Healthcare, Institute of Internal Auditors, Society of CPAs, Business Insurance, Employee Benefits News, World At Work, Benefits Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Business Journal, the Houston Business Journal, and many other symposia and publications. She also has served as an Editorial Advisory Board Member for human resources, employee benefit and other management focused publications of BNA, HR.com, Employee Benefit News, InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com and many other prominent publications and speaks and conducts training for a broad range of professional organizations and for clients on the Advisory Boards of InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com, HR.com, Employee Benefit News, and many other publications.

As part of these involvements, Ms. Stamer is scheduled to moderate the discussion of “Department of Labor Health Plan Compliance and Enforcement Update” with Amber M. Rivers, Director of the Employee Benefit Security Administration Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance that the ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits is hosting on May 5, 2022. For additional information about or to register for this program, see here.

About Solutions Law Press, Inc.™

Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ provides human resources and employee benefit and other business risk management, legal compliance, management effectiveness and other coaching, tools and other resources, training and education on leadership, governance, human resources, employee benefits, data security and privacy, insurance, health care and other key compliance, risk management, internal controls and operational concerns. If you find this of interest, you also be interested reviewing some of our other Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ resources at SolutionsLawPress.com including the following:

NOTICE: These statements and materials are for general informational and purposes only. They do not establish an attorney-client relationship, are not legal advice, and do not serve as a substitute for legal advice. Readers are urged to engage competent legal counsel for consultation and representation in light of the specific facts and circumstances presented in their unique circumstance at any particular time. No comment or statement in this publication is to be construed as an admission. The author reserves the right to qualify or retract any of these statements at any time. Likewise, the content is not tailored to any particular situation and does not necessarily address all relevant issues. Because the law is rapidly evolving and rapidly evolving rules makes it highly likely that subsequent developments could impact the currency and completeness of this discussion. The presenter and the program sponsor disclaim, and have no responsibility to provide any update or otherwise notify any participant of any such change, limitation, or other condition that might affect the suitability of reliance upon these materials or information otherwise conveyed in connection with this program. Readers may not rely upon, are solely responsible for, and assume the risk and all liabilities resulting from their use of this publication.

Circular 230 Compliance. The following disclaimer is included to ensure that we comply with U.S. Treasury Department Regulations. Any statements contained herein are not intended or written by the writer to be used, and nothing contained herein can be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties that may be imposed under federal tax law, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related transaction or matter addressed herein.

©2022 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. Non-exclusive right to republish granted to Solutions  Law Press, Inc.™   For information about republication, please contact the author directly.  All other rights reserved.


Exchange Enrollment Reaches All Time High

April 26, 2022

The Health Insurance Marketplaces 2022 Open Enrollment Report (“Report”) published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last month reveals the 2022 Open Enrollment Period (“2022 OEP”) produced the highest enrollment in health care marketplace plans since passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) 12 years ago.

A review of the data reveals a number of possible explanations for the increased enrollment including but not limited to Biden Administration emphasis on outreach, the expansion of the enrollment period and availability of subsidies, and more. Businesses sponsoring health plans, insurers and other payers, government and community leaders, taxpayers and other others may wish to evaluate this data and these implications further to assess their short term and long term implications on their health plan concerns and existing and proposed practices, governmental policy proposals and other planning considerations.

Reported Key Findings

The Report found that 14.5 million consumers selected or automatically re-enrolled in marketplace health care coverage through HealthCare.gov during the 2022 OEP, 2.5 million more consumers than signed up for marketplace coverage during the 2021 OEP.  This reflects a 21 percent increase in enrollment over 2021 OEP enrollment.

Other findings highlighted in the Report include the following:

  • In HealthCare.gov states, 10.3 million consumers enrolled in health coverage during the 2022 OEP between November 1, 2021 and January 15, 2022.
  • Across the 18 SBMs, 4.3 million enrollees signed up for health coverage during the 2022 OEP from November 1, 2021 through the end of their respective reporting periods.
  • Nationwide, the number of new consumers signing up for Marketplace coverage during the 2022 OEP increased by 20 percent, to 3.1 million, from 2.5 million in the 2021 OEP.
  • Among consumers who attested to a race or ethnicity, 19 percent identified as Hispanic/Latino in the 2022 OEP, compared to 18 percent in the 2021 OEP, and the percent of consumers with a known race or ethnicity who identified as Black increased to 9 percent in the 2022 OEP, from 8 percent in the 2021 OEP.
  • Nationwide, 2.8 million more consumers are receiving APTC in 2022 compared to 2021. Additionally, 1.1 million consumers reported household incomes over 400% FPL during the 2022 OEP, who would not have been eligible for APTC without the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The average monthly premium after APTC fell by 19 percent, from $164 in 2021 to $133 in 2022, and 28 percent of consumers selected a plan for $10 or less per month after APTC during the 2022 OEP.
  • The percentage of all Marketplace consumers who received costsharing reductions (CSRs) increased slightly from the 2021 OEP to the 2022 OEP, from 47 percent to 49 percent, respectively.
  • The average monthly 2022 premium for HealthCare.gov enrollees was $111. If consumers had not received the additional APTC provided by the ARP, the average monthly premium after APTC for HealthCare.gov consumers would have been 53 percent higher, or $170.

The Report findings summarize data about health plan selections through the individual Marketplaces during the 2022 2022 OEP and includes OEP data for the 33 states with Marketplaces that use the HealthCare.gov eligibility and enrollment platform for the 2022 plan year (HealthCare.gov states), as well as for the 18 State-based Marketplaces (SBMs) that use their own eligibility and enrollment platforms.  For purposes of the Report, the 2022 OEP for the Health Insurance Marketplaces ran between November 1, 2021 and January 15, 2021 for the 33 states that used HealthCare.gov.  For the 18 State-based Marketplace (SBMs) states using their own platforms, the reporting period reflects plan selection and Marketplace activity from the beginning of OE on November 1, 2021, to the end of each SBM’s respective OEP and any run-out period. Any renewals processed before November 1, 2021, are also included.

Data Underlying Report

For those interested in evaluating the 2022 OEP enrollment results and trends, CMS has prepared a number of Public Use Files (PUFs) summarizing plan selection activity during the applicable OEPs in more detail including:

  • 2022 OEP State-Level Public Use File: The state-level PUF includes total health plan selections in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. The PUF provides state-level data on metrics such as average monthly premium, financial assistance, age, gender, metal level, self-reported race and ethnicity, rural location, household income as a percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), and plan switching behavior among consumers with a plan selection. In addition, the state-level PUF includes data on dental plan selections and Basic Health Plan (BHP) enrollments. Certain data elements are only available for the 33 HC.gov states in 2022.
  • 2022 OEP State, Metal Level, and Enrollment Status Public Use File: The state, metal level, and enrollment status PUF contains data with stratifications by state, metal level and enrollment status. It includes total health plan selections in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and state, metal level, and enrollment status-level data on enrollment status, average monthly premium, financial assistance, age, gender, self-reported race and ethnicity, rural location, metal level, and household income as percent FPL. Certain data elements are only available for the 33 HC.gov states in 2022.
  • 2022 OEP County-Level Public Use File: The county-level PUF includes total health plan selections, as well as data such as average monthly premium, financial assistance, age, gender, metal level, self-reported race and ethnicity, household income as a percent of the FPL, and plan switching behavior. In addition, the county-level PUF includes data on dental plan selections. This PUF only includes data for consumers with a plan selection in the 33 states that used the HC.gov platform in 2022.
  • 2022 OEP ZIP Code-Level Public Use File: The ZIP code-level PUF includes total health plan selections, the count of consumers with APTC, and average APTC among consumers with APTC. This PUF only includes data for consumers with a plan selection in the 33 states that used the HC.gov platform in 2022.
  • 2022 OEP Snapshot Public Use File: The Snapshot PUF presents data that CMS released during the 2022 OEP. It includes total health plan selections, including a breakdown of new and returning consumers, consumers on submitted applications, call center volume, and website usage. State-level health plan selection counts are also included.
  • Supplemental HC.gov Data: Data on availability and plan selections of Health Savings Account (HSA)-eligible plans and average and median deductibles of plans selected during the 2014-2022

To access these data files, see here.

Amber M. Rivers, Director of the Employee Benefit Security Administration Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance will discuss “Department of Labor Health Plan Compliance and Enforcement Update” at a virtual program hosted by the American Bar Association Joint Committee on Employee Benefits from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time on May 5, 2022. Solutions Law Press, Inc. author and publisher Cynthia Marcotte Stamer will moderate the program.

During the program, Ms. Rivers will the provide updates on the health plan eligibility, COVID emergency orders, surprise billing, mental health parity and other Department of Labor regulatory, compliance, audit, enforcement priorities and other health plan projects and developments.

For additional information about or to register for this program, see here.

More Information.

For additional information about the requirements or concerns discussed in this article, republication or other related matters, please contact the author, employment lawyer Cynthia Marcotte Stamer via e-mail, via telephone at (214) 452 -8297 or on LinkedIn.

Solutions Law Press, Inc. invites you to receive future updates by registering here and participating and contributing to the discussions in our Solutions Law Press, Inc. LinkedIn SLP Health Care Risk Management & Operations GroupHR & Benefits Update Compliance Group, and/or Coalition for Responsible Health Care Policy. If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information including your preferred e-mail by creating your profile here.

About the Author

Recognized by her peers as a Martindale-Hubble “AV-Preeminent” (Top 1%) and “Top Rated Lawyer” with special recognition LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® as “LEGAL LEADER™ Texas Top Rated Lawyer” in Health Care Law and Labor and Employment Law; as among the “Best Lawyers In Dallas” for her work in the fields of “Labor & Employment,” “Tax: Erisa & Employee Benefits,” “Health Care” and “Business and Commercial Law” by D Magazine, Cynthia Marcotte Stamer is a practicing attorney board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and management consultant, author, public policy advocate and lecturer widely known for management work, coaching, teachings, and publications.

A Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefit Counsel, the American Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation, well-known for her extensive work with health and other employee benefits, health care and life sciences, insurance, financial services, technology, and other highly regulated and performance reliant organizations and their leadership, Ms. Stamer works with these and other businesses and their management, employee benefit plans, insurers, health care and life sciences, governments and other organizations deal with all aspects of health care, human resources and workforce, internal controls and regulatory compliance, change management and other performance and operations management and compliance. Her day-to-day work encompasses both labor and employment issues, as well as independent contractor, outsourcing, employee leasing, management services and other nontraditional service relationships. She supports her clients both on a real-time, “on demand” basis and with longer term basis to deal with all aspects for workforce and human resources management, including, recruitment, hiring, firing, compensation and benefits, promotion, discipline, Form I-9 and other compliance, trade secret and confidentiality, noncompetition, privacy and data security, safety, daily performance and operations management, internal controls, emerging crises, strategic planning, process improvement and change management, investigations, defending litigation, audits, investigations or other enforcement challenges, government affairs and public policy. her more than 30 years’ of experience encompasses domestic and international businesses of all types and sizes.

Ms. Stamer also shares her thought leadership, experience and advocacy on these and other concerns by her service as a practicing attorney, as well as as an industry, policy management consultant, and policy strategist as well through her leadership participation in professional and civic organizations. Examples of her many leadership involvements include service as the Vice President and Executive Director of the North Texas Healthcare Compliance Association; Executive Director of the Coalition on Responsible Health Policy and its PROJECT COPE: Coalition on Patient Empowerment; Vice Chair of the ABA International Law Section Life Sciences and Health Committee; Vice Chair of the ABA Tort & Insurance Practice Section Medicine and Law Committee and former Vice Chair of its Employee Benefits Committee and its Worker’s Compensation Commitee; Past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section Managed Care & Insurance Section; ABA Real Property Probate and Trust (RPTE) Section former Employee Benefits Group Chair, current Welfare Committee Co-Chair and past RPTE Representative to ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits Council Representative, and Defined Contribution Committee Co-Chair, past Welfare Benefit Committee Chair and current Employee Benefits Group Fiduciary Responsibility Committee Co-Chair, Substantive and Group Committee member, Membership Committee member and RPTE Representative to the ABA Health Law Coordinating Council; past Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Committee; a former member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer, Member and Continuing Education Chair of the Southwest Benefits Association; former Board President of the early childhood development intervention agency, The Richardson Development Center for Children; former Gulf Coast TEGE Council Exempt Organization Coordinator; a founding Board Member and past President of the Alliance for Healthcare Excellence; former board member and Vice President of the Managed Care Association; past Board Member and Board Compliance Committee Chair for the National Kidney Foundation of North Texas; a member and policy adviser to the National Physicians’ Council for Healthcare Policy and others.

Ms. Stamer also is a widely published author, highly popular lecturer, and serial symposia chair, who publishes and speaks extensively on human resources, labor and employment, employee benefits, compensation, occupational safety and health, and other leadership, performance, regulatory and operational risk management, public policy and community service concerns for the American Bar Association, ALI-ABA, American Health Lawyers, Society of Human Resources Professionals, the Southwest Benefits Association, the Society of Employee Benefits Administrators, the American Law Institute, Lexis-Nexis, Atlantic Information Services, The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), InsuranceThoughtLeaders.com, Benefits Magazine, Employee Benefit News, Texas CEO Magazine, HealthLeaders, the HCCA, ISSA, HIMSS, Modern Healthcare, Managed Healthcare, Institute of Internal Auditors, Society of CPAs, Business Insurance, Employee Benefits News, World At Work, Benefits Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Business Journal, the Houston Business Journal, and many other symposia and publications. She also has served as an Editorial Advisory Board Member for human resources, employee benefit and other management focused publications of BNA, HR.com, Employee Benefit News, InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com and many other prominent publications and speaks and conducts training for a broad range of professional organizations and for clients on the Advisory Boards of InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com, HR.com, Employee Benefit News, and many other publications.

As part of these involvements, Ms. Stamer is scheduled to moderate the discussion of “Department of Labor Health Plan Compliance and Enforcement Update” with Amber M. Rivers, Director of the Employee Benefit Security Administration Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance that the ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits is hosting on May 5, 2022. For additional information about or to register for this program, see here.

About Solutions Law Press, Inc.™

Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ provides human resources and employee benefit and other business risk management, legal compliance, management effectiveness and other coaching, tools and other resources, training and education on leadership, governance, human resources, employee benefits, data security and privacy, insurance, health care and other key compliance, risk management, internal controls and operational concerns. If you find this of interest, you also be interested reviewing some of our other Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ resources at SolutionsLawPress.com including the following:

NOTICE: These statements and materials are for general informational and purposes only. They do not establish an attorney-client relationship, are not legal advice, and do not serve as a substitute for legal advice. Readers are urged to engage competent legal counsel for consultation and representation in light of the specific facts and circumstances presented in their unique circumstance at any particular time. No comment or statement in this publication is to be construed as an admission. The author reserves the right to qualify or retract any of these statements at any time. Likewise, the content is not tailored to any particular situation and does not necessarily address all relevant issues. Because the law is rapidly evolving and rapidly evolving rules makes it highly likely that subsequent developments could impact the currency and completeness of this discussion. The presenter and the program sponsor disclaim, and have no responsibility to provide any update or otherwise notify any participant of any such change, limitation, or other condition that might affect the suitability of reliance upon these materials or information otherwise conveyed in connection with this program. Readers may not rely upon, are solely responsible for, and assume the risk and all liabilities resulting from their use of this publication.

Circular 230 Compliance. The following disclaimer is included to ensure that we comply with U.S. Treasury Department Regulations. Any statements contained herein are not intended or written by the writer to be used, and nothing contained herein can be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties that may be imposed under federal tax law, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related transaction or matter addressed herein.

©2022 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. Non-exclusive right to republish granted to Solutions  Law Press, Inc.™   For information about republication, please contact the author directly.  All other rights reserved.


2022 ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment Up 21% Over 2021 Open Enrollment

April 26, 2022

The Health Insurance Marketplaces 2022 Open Enrollment Report (“Report”) published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services last month reveals the 2022 Open Enrollment Period (“2022 OEP”) produced the highest enrollment in health care marketplace plans since passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) 12 years ago.

A review of the data reveals a number of possible explanations for the increased enrollment including but not limited to Biden Administration emphasis on outreach, the expansion of the enrollment period and availability of subsidies, and more. Businesses sponsoring health plans, insurers and other payers, government and community leaders, taxpayers and other others may wish to evaluate this data and these implications further to assess their short term and long term implications on their health plan concerns and existing and proposed practices, governmental policy proposals and other planning considerations.

Reported Key Findings

The Report found that 14.5 million consumers selected or automatically re-enrolled in marketplace health care coverage through HealthCare.gov during the 2022 OEP, 2.5 million more consumers than signed up for marketplace coverage during the 2021 OEP.  This reflects a 21 percent increase in enrollment over 2021 OEP enrollment.

Other findings highlighted in the Report include the following:

  • In HealthCare.gov states, 10.3 million consumers enrolled in health coverage during the 2022 OEP between November 1, 2021 and January 15, 2022.
  • Across the 18 SBMs, 4.3 million enrollees signed up for health coverage during the 2022 OEP from November 1, 2021 through the end of their respective reporting periods.
  • Nationwide, the number of new consumers signing up for Marketplace coverage during the 2022 OEP increased by 20 percent, to 3.1 million, from 2.5 million in the 2021 OEP.
  • Among consumers who attested to a race or ethnicity, 19 percent identified as Hispanic/Latino in the 2022 OEP, compared to 18 percent in the 2021 OEP, and the percent of consumers with a known race or ethnicity who identified as Black increased to 9 percent in the 2022 OEP, from 8 percent in the 2021 OEP.
  • Nationwide, 2.8 million more consumers are receiving APTC in 2022 compared to 2021. Additionally, 1.1 million consumers reported household incomes over 400% FPL during the 2022 OEP, who would not have been eligible for APTC without the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The average monthly premium after APTC fell by 19 percent, from $164 in 2021 to $133 in 2022, and 28 percent of consumers selected a plan for $10 or less per month after APTC during the 2022 OEP.
  • The percentage of all Marketplace consumers who received costsharing reductions (CSRs) increased slightly from the 2021 OEP to the 2022 OEP, from 47 percent to 49 percent, respectively.
  • The average monthly 2022 premium for HealthCare.gov enrollees was $111. If consumers had not received the additional APTC provided by the ARP, the average monthly premium after APTC for HealthCare.gov consumers would have been 53 percent higher, or $170.

The Report findings summarize data about health plan selections through the individual Marketplaces during the 2022 2022 OEP and includes OEP data for the 33 states with Marketplaces that use the HealthCare.gov eligibility and enrollment platform for the 2022 plan year (HealthCare.gov states), as well as for the 18 State-based Marketplaces (SBMs) that use their own eligibility and enrollment platforms.  For purposes of the Report, the 2022 OEP for the Health Insurance Marketplaces ran between November 1, 2021 and January 15, 2021 for the 33 states that used HealthCare.gov.  For the 18 State-based Marketplace (SBMs) states using their own platforms, the reporting period reflects plan selection and Marketplace activity from the beginning of OE on November 1, 2021, to the end of each SBM’s respective OEP and any run-out period. Any renewals processed before November 1, 2021, are also included.

Data Underlying Report

For those interested in evaluating the 2022 OEP enrollment results and trends, CMS has prepared a number of Public Use Files (PUFs) summarizing plan selection activity during the applicable OEPs in more detail including:

  • 2022 OEP State-Level Public Use File: The state-level PUF includes total health plan selections in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. The PUF provides state-level data on metrics such as average monthly premium, financial assistance, age, gender, metal level, self-reported race and ethnicity, rural location, household income as a percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), and plan switching behavior among consumers with a plan selection. In addition, the state-level PUF includes data on dental plan selections and Basic Health Plan (BHP) enrollments. Certain data elements are only available for the 33 HC.gov states in 2022.
  • 2022 OEP State, Metal Level, and Enrollment Status Public Use File: The state, metal level, and enrollment status PUF contains data with stratifications by state, metal level and enrollment status. It includes total health plan selections in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and state, metal level, and enrollment status-level data on enrollment status, average monthly premium, financial assistance, age, gender, self-reported race and ethnicity, rural location, metal level, and household income as percent FPL. Certain data elements are only available for the 33 HC.gov states in 2022.
  • 2022 OEP County-Level Public Use File: The county-level PUF includes total health plan selections, as well as data such as average monthly premium, financial assistance, age, gender, metal level, self-reported race and ethnicity, household income as a percent of the FPL, and plan switching behavior. In addition, the county-level PUF includes data on dental plan selections. This PUF only includes data for consumers with a plan selection in the 33 states that used the HC.gov platform in 2022.
  • 2022 OEP ZIP Code-Level Public Use File: The ZIP code-level PUF includes total health plan selections, the count of consumers with APTC, and average APTC among consumers with APTC. This PUF only includes data for consumers with a plan selection in the 33 states that used the HC.gov platform in 2022.
  • 2022 OEP Snapshot Public Use File: The Snapshot PUF presents data that CMS released during the 2022 OEP. It includes total health plan selections, including a breakdown of new and returning consumers, consumers on submitted applications, call center volume, and website usage. State-level health plan selection counts are also included.
  • Supplemental HC.gov Data: Data on availability and plan selections of Health Savings Account (HSA)-eligible plans and average and median deductibles of plans selected during the 2014-2022

To access these data files, see here.

More Information.

For additional information about the requirements or concerns discussed in this article, republication or other related matters, please contact the author, employment lawyer Cynthia Marcotte Stamer via e-mail, via telephone at (214) 452 -8297 or on LinkedIn.

Solutions Law Press, Inc. invites you to receive future updates by registering here and participating and contributing to the discussions in our Solutions Law Press, Inc. LinkedIn SLP Health Care Risk Management & Operations GroupHR & Benefits Update Compliance Group, and/or Coalition for Responsible Health Care Policy. If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information including your preferred e-mail by creating your profile here.

About the Author

Recognized by her peers as a Martindale-Hubble “AV-Preeminent” (Top 1%) and “Top Rated Lawyer” with special recognition LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® as “LEGAL LEADER™ Texas Top Rated Lawyer” in Health Care Law and Labor and Employment Law; as among the “Best Lawyers In Dallas” for her work in the fields of “Labor & Employment,” “Tax: Erisa & Employee Benefits,” “Health Care” and “Business and Commercial Law” by D Magazine, Cynthia Marcotte Stamer is a practicing attorney board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and management consultant, author, public policy advocate and lecturer widely known for management work, coaching, teachings, and publications.

A Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefit Counsel, the American Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation, well-known for her extensive work with health and other employee benefits, health care and life sciences, insurance, financial services, technology, and other highly regulated and performance reliant organizations and their leadership, Ms. Stamer works with these and other businesses and their management, employee benefit plans, insurers, health care and life sciences, governments and other organizations deal with all aspects of health care, human resources and workforce, internal controls and regulatory compliance, change management and other performance and operations management and compliance. Her day-to-day work encompasses both labor and employment issues, as well as independent contractor, outsourcing, employee leasing, management services and other nontraditional service relationships. She supports her clients both on a real-time, “on demand” basis and with longer term basis to deal with all aspects for workforce and human resources management, including, recruitment, hiring, firing, compensation and benefits, promotion, discipline, Form I-9 and other compliance, trade secret and confidentiality, noncompetition, privacy and data security, safety, daily performance and operations management, internal controls, emerging crises, strategic planning, process improvement and change management, investigations, defending litigation, audits, investigations or other enforcement challenges, government affairs and public policy. her more than 30 years’ of experience encompasses domestic and international businesses of all types and sizes.

Ms. Stamer also shares her thought leadership, experience and advocacy on these and other concerns by her service as a practicing attorney, as well as as an industry, policy management consultant, and policy strategist as well through her leadership participation in professional and civic organizations. Examples of her many leadership involvements include service as the Vice President and Executive Director of the North Texas Healthcare Compliance Association; Executive Director of the Coalition on Responsible Health Policy and its PROJECT COPE: Coalition on Patient Empowerment; Vice Chair of the ABA International Law Section Life Sciences and Health Committee; Vice Chair of the ABA Tort & Insurance Practice Section Medicine and Law Committee and former Vice Chair of its Employee Benefits Committee and its Worker’s Compensation Commitee; Past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section Managed Care & Insurance Section; ABA Real Property Probate and Trust (RPTE) Section former Employee Benefits Group Chair, current Welfare Committee Co-Chair and past RPTE Representative to ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits Council Representative, and Defined Contribution Committee Co-Chair, past Welfare Benefit Committee Chair and current Employee Benefits Group Fiduciary Responsibility Committee Co-Chair, Substantive and Group Committee member, Membership Committee member and RPTE Representative to the ABA Health Law Coordinating Council; past Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Committee; a former member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer, Member and Continuing Education Chair of the Southwest Benefits Association; former Board President of the early childhood development intervention agency, The Richardson Development Center for Children; former Gulf Coast TEGE Council Exempt Organization Coordinator; a founding Board Member and past President of the Alliance for Healthcare Excellence; former board member and Vice President of the Managed Care Association; past Board Member and Board Compliance Committee Chair for the National Kidney Foundation of North Texas; a member and policy adviser to the National Physicians’ Council for Healthcare Policy and others.

Ms. Stamer also is a widely published author, highly popular lecturer, and serial symposia chair, who publishes and speaks extensively on human resources, labor and employment, employee benefits, compensation, occupational safety and health, and other leadership, performance, regulatory and operational risk management, public policy and community service concerns for the American Bar Association, ALI-ABA, American Health Lawyers, Society of Human Resources Professionals, the Southwest Benefits Association, the Society of Employee Benefits Administrators, the American Law Institute, Lexis-Nexis, Atlantic Information Services, The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), InsuranceThoughtLeaders.com, Benefits Magazine, Employee Benefit News, Texas CEO Magazine, HealthLeaders, the HCCA, ISSA, HIMSS, Modern Healthcare, Managed Healthcare, Institute of Internal Auditors, Society of CPAs, Business Insurance, Employee Benefits News, World At Work, Benefits Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Business Journal, the Houston Business Journal, and many other symposia and publications. She also has served as an Editorial Advisory Board Member for human resources, employee benefit and other management focused publications of BNA, HR.com, Employee Benefit News, InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com and many other prominent publications and speaks and conducts training for a broad range of professional organizations and for clients on the Advisory Boards of InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com, HR.com, Employee Benefit News, and many other publications.

As part of these involvements, Ms. Stamer is scheduled to moderate the discussion of “Department of Labor Health Plan Compliance and Enforcement Update” with Amber M. Rivers, Director of the Employee Benefit Security Administration Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance that the ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits is hosting on May 5, 2022. For additional information about or to register for this program, see here.

About Solutions Law Press, Inc.™

Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ provides human resources and employee benefit and other business risk management, legal compliance, management effectiveness and other coaching, tools and other resources, training and education on leadership, governance, human resources, employee benefits, data security and privacy, insurance, health care and other key compliance, risk management, internal controls and operational concerns. If you find this of interest, you also be interested reviewing some of our other Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ resources at SolutionsLawPress.com including the following:

NOTICE: These statements and materials are for general informational and purposes only. They do not establish an attorney-client relationship, are not legal advice, and do not serve as a substitute for legal advice. Readers are urged to engage competent legal counsel for consultation and representation in light of the specific facts and circumstances presented in their unique circumstance at any particular time. No comment or statement in this publication is to be construed as an admission. The author reserves the right to qualify or retract any of these statements at any time. Likewise, the content is not tailored to any particular situation and does not necessarily address all relevant issues. Because the law is rapidly evolving and rapidly evolving rules makes it highly likely that subsequent developments could impact the currency and completeness of this discussion. The presenter and the program sponsor disclaim, and have no responsibility to provide any update or otherwise notify any participant of any such change, limitation, or other condition that might affect the suitability of reliance upon these materials or information otherwise conveyed in connection with this program. Readers may not rely upon, are solely responsible for, and assume the risk and all liabilities resulting from their use of this publication.

Circular 230 Compliance. The following disclaimer is included to ensure that we comply with U.S. Treasury Department Regulations. Any statements contained herein are not intended or written by the writer to be used, and nothing contained herein can be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties that may be imposed under federal tax law, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related transaction or matter addressed herein.

©2022 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. Non-exclusive right to republish granted to Solutions  Law Press, Inc.™   For information about republication, please contact the author directly.  All other rights reserved.


DOJ Sues To Stop UnitedHealth Acquisition Of Change Health To Protect Employer Plan Innovation & Commercial Health Insurance Market Competition

March 3, 2022

The U.S. Department of Justice along with the Minnesota and New York Attorneys General (collectively “Justice Department”) have filed a civil antitrust lawsuit to stop UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (“United”) from acquiring Change Healthcare Inc. (“Change”) on February 24, 2022 in an announced $13 billion transaction that the Justice Department claims will harm self-insured employer health plan innovation and competition in the commercial health insurance market.  The suit is the latest in a series of Justice Department suits that seek to prevent continued consolidation of the health industry giants following decades of industry consolidation.

United, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, is an integrated health care enterprise that includes, among other subsidiaries, UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the United States; Optum Health, a large network of health care providers located throughout the country; OptumRx, a large pharmacy benefit manager; and OptumInsight, a health care technology business. United’s revenues were $288 billion in 2021.

Change Healthcare Inc. headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is a leading independent health care technology company providing health care analytics, software, services and data to health care providers, health insurers and other software and services firms in the health care industry.  Today, Change markets itself as a partner to a wide variety of other health care ecosystem organizations including United’s major health insurance competitors as providing vital software and services need for innovation and problem solving. These services include electronic data interchange (EDI) clearinghouse services, which transmit claims and payment information between insurers and providers, and first-pass claims editing solutions, which review claims under the health insurer’s policies and relevant treatment protocols. Change’s revenues were $3.4 billion in 2021.

In the civil antitrust complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on February 24, 2022, the Justice Department charges United’s acquisition of this neutral player would allow United to tilt the playing field in its favor, harming current competition and allowing United to control and distort the course of innovation in this industry for the foreseeable future.

Among other things, the Justice Department alleges allowing United to eliminate a significant independent and innovative competitor firm by acquiring Change will undermine competition in the commercial health insurance market, stifle innovation in the employer health insurance markets and suppress competition in the market for a vital technology used by health insurers to process health insurance claims and reduce health care costs by giving United control of a critical data highway through which about half of all Americans’ health insurance claims pass each year.

As alleged in the complaint, the proposed transaction would give United, a massive company that owns the largest health insurer in the United States, access to a vast amount of its rival health insurers’ competitively sensitive information. Post-acquisition, United would be able to use its rivals’ information to gain an unfair advantage and harm competition in health insurance markets. The Justice Department also claims the proposed transaction would eliminate United’s only major rival for first-pass claims editing technology — a critical product used to efficiently process health insurance claims and save health insurers billions of dollars each year — and give United a monopoly share in the market.

A Justice Department press release about the lawsuit quotes Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Doha Mekki of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division as saying, “Unless the deal is blocked, United stands to see and potentially use its health insurance rivals’ competitively sensitive information for its own business purposes and control these competitors’ access to innovations in vital health care technology. The department’s lawsuit makes clear that we will not hesitate to challenge transactions that harm competition by placing so much control of data and innovation in the hands of a single firm.”

The suit is the latest in a series of civil antitrust lawsuits challenging proposed mergers or acquisitions of between health insurance industry giants as anticompetitive in recent years.  Stay tuned for more details.  

More Information

We hope this update is helpful. For more information about these or other health or other legal, management or public policy developments, please contact the author Cynthia Marcotte Stamer via e-mail or via telephone at (214) 452 -8297.

Solutions Law Press, Inc. invites you receive future updates by registering on our Solutions Law Press, Inc. Website and participating and contributing to the discussions in our Solutions Law Press, Inc. LinkedIn SLP Health Care Risk Management & Operations GroupHR & Benefits Update Compliance Group, and/or Coalition for Responsible Health Care Policy.  

About the Author

Recognized by her peers as a Martindale-Hubble “AV-Preeminent” (Top 1%) and “Top Rated Lawyer” with special recognition LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell® as “LEGAL LEADER™ Texas Top Rated Lawyer” in Health Care Law and Labor and Employment Law; as among the “Best Lawyers In Dallas” for her work in the fields of “Labor & Employment,” “Tax: ERISA & Employee Benefits,” “Health Care” and “Business and Commercial Law” by D Magazine, Cynthia Marcotte Stamer is a practicing attorney board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and management consultant, author, public policy advocate and lecturer widely known for 30+ years of health industry and other management work, public policy leadership and advocacy, coaching, teachings, and publications. As a significant part of her work, Ms. Stamer has worked extensively on pandemic, business and other crisis planning, preparedness and response for more than 30 years.

Scribe for the ABA JCEB Annual Agency Meeting with HHS-OCR, Vice Chair of the ABA International Section Life Sciences Committee, past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section Managed Care & Insurance Interest Group and the ABA RPTE Employee Benefits & Other Compensation Group, Ms. Stamer is most widely recognized for her decades of pragmatic, leading edge work, scholarship and thought leadership on health and other privacy and data security and other health industry legal, public policy and operational concerns.  Ms. Stamer’s work throughout her 30 plus year career has focused heavily on working with health care and managed care, health and other employee benefit plan, insurance and financial services and other public and private organizations and their technology, data, and other service providers and advisors domestically and internationally with legal and operational compliance and risk management, performance and workforce management, regulatory and public policy and other legal and operational concerns.  As a part of this work, she has continuously and extensively worked with domestic and international health plans, their sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators, and insurers; managed care and insurance organizations; hospitals, health care systems, clinics, skilled nursing, long term care, rehabilitation and other health care providers and facilities; medical staff, accreditation, peer review and quality committees and organizations; billing, utilization management, management services organizations, group purchasing organizations; pharmaceutical, pharmacy, and prescription benefit management and organizations; consultants; investors; EHR, claims, payroll and other technology, billing and reimbursement and other services and product vendors; products and solutions consultants and developers; investors; managed care organizations, self-insured health and other employee benefit plans, their sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators and service providers, insurers and other payers, health industry advocacy and other service providers and groups and other health and managed care industry clients as well as federal and state legislative, regulatory, investigatory and enforcement bodies and agencies.  

This  involvement encompasses helping health care systems and organizations, group and individual health care providers, health plans and insurers, health IT, life sciences and other health industry clients prevent, investigate, manage and resolve  sexual assault, abuse, harassment and other organizational, provider and employee misconduct and other performance and behavior; manage Section 1557, Civil Rights Act and other discrimination and accommodation, and other regulatory, contractual and other compliance; vendors and suppliers; contracting and other terms of participation, medical billing, reimbursement, claims administration and coordination, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare/Medicaid Advantage, ERISA and other payers and other provider-payer relations, contracting, compliance and enforcement; Form 990 and other nonprofit and tax-exemption; fundraising, investors, joint venture, and other business partners; quality and other performance measurement, management, discipline and reporting; physician and other workforce recruiting, performance management, peer review and other investigations and discipline, wage and hour, payroll, gain-sharing and other pay-for performance and other compensation, training, outsourcing and other human resources and workforce matters; board, medical staff and other governance; strategic planning, process and quality improvement; meaningful use, EHR, HIPAA and other technology,  data security and breach and other health IT and data; STARK, ant kickback, insurance, and other fraud prevention, investigation, defense and enforcement; audits, investigations, and enforcement actions; trade secrets and other intellectual property; crisis preparedness and response; internal, government and third-party licensure, credentialing, accreditation, HCQIA and other peer review and quality reporting, audits, investigations, enforcement and defense; patient relations and care;  internal controls and regulatory compliance; payer-provider, provider-provider, vendor, patient, governmental and community relations; facilities, practice, products and other sales, mergers, acquisitions and other business and commercial transactions; government procurement and contracting; grants; tax-exemption and not-for-profit; privacy and data security; training; risk and change management; regulatory affairs and public policy; process, product and service improvement, development and innovation, and other legal and operational compliance and risk management, government and regulatory affairs and operations concerns. to establish, administer and defend workforce and staffing, quality, and other compliance, risk management and operational practices, policies and actions; comply with requirements; investigate and respond to Board of Medicine, Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, Chiropractic, and other licensing agencies, Department of Aging & Disability, FDA, Drug Enforcement Agency, OCR Privacy and Civil Rights, Department of Labor, IRS, HHS, DOD, FTC, SEC, CDC and other public health, Department of Justice and state attorneys’ general and other federal and state agencies; JCHO and other accreditation and quality organizations; private litigation and other federal and state health care industry actions: regulatory and public policy advocacy; training and discipline; enforcement;  and other strategic and operational concerns.  

The American Bar Association (ABA) International Section Life Sciences Committee Vice Chair, a Scribe for the ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits (JCEB) Annual OCR Agency Meeting and a former Council Representative, Past Chair of the ABA Managed Care & Insurance Interest Group, former Vice President and Executive Director of the North Texas Health Care Compliance Professionals Association, past Board President of Richardson Development Center (now Warren Center) for Children Early Childhood Intervention Agency, past North Texas United Way Long Range Planning Committee Member, and past Board Member and Compliance Chair of the National Kidney Foundation of North Texas, and a Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefit Counsel, the American Bar Foundation and the Texas Bar Foundation, Ms. Stamer also shares her extensive publications and thought leadership as well as leadership involvement in a broad range of other professional and civic organizations. These include hundreds of highly regarded articles and workshops on health and other benefits, workforce, health care and insurance concerns.

For more information about these requirements, Ms. Stamer or her experience and involvements, see www.cynthiastamer.com or contact Ms. Stamer via telephone at (214) 452-8297 or via e-mail here.

About Solutions Law Press, Inc.™

Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ provides human resources and employee benefit and other business risk management, legal compliance, management effectiveness and other coaching, tools and other resources, training and education on leadership, governance, human resources, employee benefits, data security and privacy, insurance, health care and other key compliance, risk management, internal controls and operational concerns. If you find this of interest, you also be interested reviewing some of our other Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ resources available here.  

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If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information including your preferred e-mail by creating your profile here.

NOTICE:   These statements and materials are for general informational and purposes only. They do not establish an attorney-client relationship, are not legal advice or an offer or commitment to provide legal advice, and do not serve as a substitute for legal advice. Readers are urged to engage competent legal counsel for consultation and representation in light of the specific facts and circumstances presented in their unique circumstance at any particular time. No comment or statement in this publication is to be construed as legal advice or an admission. The author and Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ reserve the right to qualify or retract any of these statements at any time. Likewise, the content is not tailored to any particular situation and does not necessarily address all relevant issues. Because the law is rapidly evolving and rapidly evolving rules makes it highly likely that subsequent developments could impact the currency and completeness of this discussion. The author and Solutions Law Press, Inc.™ disclaim, and have no responsibility to provide any update or otherwise notify anyone any such change, limitation, or other condition that might affect the suitability of reliance upon these materials or information otherwise conveyed in connection with this program. Readers may not rely upon, are solely responsible for, and assume the risk and all liabilities resulting from their use of this publication.  Readers acknowledge and agree to the conditions of this Notice as a condition of their access of this publication.  Circular 230 Compliance. The following disclaimer is included to ensure that we comply with U.S. Treasury Department Regulations. Any statements contained herein are not intended or written by the writer to be used, and nothing contained herein can be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties that may be imposed under federal tax law, or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related transaction or matter addressed herein. 

©2022 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. Limited non-exclusive right to republish granted to Solutions Law Press, Inc.™