The San Diego healthcare and medical practice attorneys at the Watkins Firm have four decades of experience serving the Southern California medical and healthcare business community. If you are searching for attorneys with proven experience in the formation, governance and legal issues facing a healthcare business or medical practice in California we invite you to consider the Watkins Firm.
Forming and Maintaining a Southern California Healthcare Entity or Medical Practice
Forming and maintaining a medical practice or healthcare related business entity has become much more complex over the past several years. The implications of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)”, commonly known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), along with the impact of Electronic Health Records (EHR) / Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) as well as HIPAA and Stark (anti kickback) compliance have changed the nature of healthcare in many ways. Federal regulatory requirements and the unique laws of the State of California require a medical practice to rely on San Diego medical practice attorneys with decades of experience in order to remain in compliance.
As a result, many alternative strategies must exist in order to meet the cost-prohibitive challenges of PPACA/ACA without violating state law. Some larger facilities have established “medical foundations” in order to ensure the management of healthcare delivery by licensed physicians and not a corporate entity. Many facilities simply cannot afford this strategy, and seek other options such as a Management Service Organization or MSO, joint ventures, medical directorships, and emergency call coverage agreements. Our experienced attorneys will provide advice and help to develop a sound legal strategy and supporting documentation and contracts to support the opportunities you wish to create.
Management Service Organizations or MSOs
Your San Diego healthcare and medical practice attorneys at the Watkins Firm can also provide advice and legal services regarding the formation, risk management, legal and operational issues associated with a Management Service Organization or MSO.
An MSO is an exceptional tool for streamlining expenses associated with healthcare or a medical practice. While the MSO must avoid issues associated with the practice of medicine many overhead related areas of business can be provided by an MSO. This includes but is not limited to the provision of facilities, furnishings and equipment, technology and software, billing, accounting and tax reporting, collections as well as the negotiation and management of vendors and non-professional/licensed workers to support the operational success of the underlying entity. The implementation of an MSO often leads to increased patient experience and satisfaction scores as well as additional tax advantages and retained earnings.
Legal Advice and Support Services for Southern California Medical Practices
The San Diego healthcare and medical practice attorneys at the Watkins Firm have represented, advised and provided legal and employer defense services to SoCal medical practices as well. We keep our medical practice and healthcare clients up to date and in full compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations. We also provide insight and legal strategies to preserve and protect their interests as a California employer.
While California is the most difficult and challenging state for many employers who wish to limit competition from former employees through non-compete agreements, the rules for healthcare practices are quite different. California law provides protections in many cases to partnerships and operating agreements that protect patient goodwill and place geographical limitations on where a doctor is permitted to practice once they leave the partnership or company. Nonsolicitation agreements can help to protect relationships with patients and existing staff alike.
Your San Diego Healthcare and Medical Practice Attorneys
It’s time to meet your San Diego healthcare and medical practice attorneys at the Watkins Firm. As a practice, practicing physician or healthcare entity you require expert advice and legal representation. There is simply too much at stake, and the continuously changing nature of federal, state and local laws and regulations requires proven, accurate legal guidance.
We invite you to review our podcast on medical/healthcare business, the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.
