business news this week

What is a Medical Power of Attorney?
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What is a Medical Power of Attorney?

One document that we recommend for almost all of our estate planning clients is a Medical Durable Power of Attorney. This document allows you to select the person who will make medical decisions on your behalf, if you are incapacitated or unable to make them yourself. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). A Medical Durable Power of Attorney is an essential document, as no one can predict their incapacity. This legal document allows you to list medical…
by Wirya•
What Does the End of the Public Health Emergency Mean?
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What Does the End of the Public Health Emergency Mean?

The national Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 ends on May 11, 2023. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). The end of the public health emergency brings a variety of changes to the healthcare system. Most of the remaining federal COVID-19 vaccine requirements will end for federal workers, contractors and foreign air travelers. The government is also lifting requirements for Head Start educators and healthcare workers. Free COVID-19 vaccines and tests will no longer be provided and…
by Wirya•
10 Chattanooga-area artists chosen for MLK mural paintings and other business news
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10 Chattanooga-area artists chosen for MLK mural paintings and other business news

10 artists picked for MLK murals EPB’s 10th Street Community Mural is adding paintings from 10 more Chattanooga-area artists whose work will be displayed on the third side of its 10th Street substation. The 2023 mural theme is “Traditions on MLK” and highlights family traditions throughout the years in downtown Chattanooga’s Martin Luther King Boulevard area. An outside group of community stakeholders selected artists who live or work in EPB’s service territory based on their submission’s artistic value, community reflection and thematic relevance. The chosen artists include Jonathon Bidwell. Lexi D’Ambrosio. Laura Swift Dahlke, Mason Elmore, Karen Estes, Jerome Foster,…
by Wirya•
Healthcare Encryption Exceptions? – Rickard & Associates
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Healthcare Encryption Exceptions? – Rickard & Associates

We know that all emails and text messages that contain protected health information (PHI) should be encrypted. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). Are there any exceptions to the encryption rule? Just one. Patients can communicate with covered entities using unencrypted email and text messages, if the patients have been informed of the increased risk. Patients can opt to have reminders sent via text messages or emails. One issue that many healthcare providers have regarding encryption, is…
by Wirya•
Do I Need an Emergency List?
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Do I Need an Emergency List?

We frequently have questions related to the practical and financial panic after a death in the family when accounts, passwords, and assets are unknown. Sometimes, a family knows an estate plan was done but they cannot find the plan and don’t even know the law firm that drafted the plan. An emergency list can help to avoid these issues. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). We often see people lose their spouse, and have no idea how…
by Wirya•
Breaking: New Self-Disclosure Policy – Rickard & Associates
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Breaking: New Self-Disclosure Policy – Rickard & Associates

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced a new Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy to be used by US Attorney Offices throughout the country. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). The new policy helps to encourage early and voluntary self-disclosure of corporate criminal misconduct. It reinforces the importance of having an effective compliance plan that identifies misconduct. To be a voluntary self-disclosure, the disclosure must be voluntary, timely and must contain all relevant facts of misconduct. If the disclosure is…
by Wirya•
Are You Prepared for Russian Ransomware?
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Are You Prepared for Russian Ransomware?

Recently, a health network in Pennsylvania was hacked by a Russian ransomware gang called BlackCat. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). BlackCat attacked a physician practice in Pennsylvania, but did not disrupt healthcare operations. A ransomware payment was demanded, but refused by the healthcare system. Sensitive information was accessed and the health system revealed the attack itself. Is your practice prepared for a potential attack? Does your staff know how to respond to a demand for ransomware?…
by Wirya•
Is Your Practice Fraudulently Billing?
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Is Your Practice Fraudulently Billing?

Most of our clients would obviously answer ‘no’, however, some providers are submitting bills incorrectly and could be subjecting themselves to hefty fines. We can help you stay on top of the latest news that affects your everyday life. Subscribe to stay up to date. (To subscribe to our blog click here). Recently, a Florida Cardiology group and 10 of its physicians agreed to pay $2 million to settle False Claims Act allegations. According to the settlement, the group submitted inflated claims to Medicare and Medicaid and billed for services while they were outside of the United States. Whistleblowers were…
by Wirya•