For more than 15 years, Elizabeth Zink-Pearson has served the needs of health care providers around the country. Prior to private practice, she worked in the public sector as a law clerk for the late Judge George C. Edwards of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and as an Attorney Advisor for the U.S. Department of Labor. As a founding member of Pearson & Bernard, PSC in 1998, Liz brought her extensive experience in health law and employment law to the firm along with her characteristic informal, non-legal approach to resolving client conflicts in the ever-changing world of health care.

Over the years, Ms. Pearson has expanded her practice to include corporate organization and merger and acquisitions for health care providers and broadened her representation to include admission to many U.S. District Courts around the country, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth Circuits, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Her state admissions include Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.

Consistent with the firm’s mission to counsel and educate clients, Ms. Pearson lectures often for state and national trade associations on many legal topics including Medicare compliance, Fraud and Abuse, Corporate Compliance, Employment Discrimination, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Liz served as education counsel for the former American Federation for Home Care and also is a frequent contributor to trade association journals and newsletters.

Outside the firm, Ms. Pearson shares her legal background with many community charitable groups. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Northern Kentucky Volunteer Lawyers and as counsel and Board Member of the St. Vincent De Paul Community Pharmacy, a local fully charitable pharmacy for those in need. Ms. Pearson also serves on the Board of the National Family Caregivers Association.

The landscape of Home Health and Hospice Reimbursement has undergone significant transformations, shaped by dynamic regulatory frameworks and policies designed to enhance patient care and financial sustainability. A pivotal shift has occurred from traditional fee-for-service models to Value-Based Purchasing (VBP), signaling a strategic move towards prioritizing quality outcomes over the sheer quantity of services provided. This transition underscores the industry’s commitment to delivering patient-centered care that aligns with value-driven objectives.

In conjunction with VBP, there has been a concerted effort to optimize payment structures, ensuring greater cost-effectiveness and eliminating inefficiencies in the delivery of home health and hospice services. Simultaneously, heightened scrutiny and compliance measures have been introduced to combat fraud and abuse, with regulatory bodies implementing stringent guidelines to enforce accurate reporting and billing practices. These multifaceted reimbursement changes mirror a broader healthcare trend, emphasizing the importance of value-driven, patient-centric care while encouraging providers to navigate the evolving landscape for sustainable financial viability.

The landscape of Home Health and Hospice Reimbursement has undergone significant transformations, shaped by dynamic regulatory frameworks and policies designed to enhance patient care and financial sustainability. A pivotal shift has occurred from traditional fee-for-service models to Value-Based Purchasing (VBP), signaling a strategic move towards prioritizing quality outcomes over the sheer quantity of services provided. This transition underscores the industry’s commitment to delivering patient-centered care that aligns with value-driven objectives.

In conjunction with VBP, there has been a concerted effort to optimize payment structures, ensuring greater cost-effectiveness and eliminating inefficiencies in the delivery of home health and hospice services. Simultaneously, heightened scrutiny and compliance measures have been introduced to combat fraud and abuse, with regulatory bodies implementing stringent guidelines to enforce accurate reporting and billing practices. These multifaceted reimbursement changes mirror a broader healthcare trend, emphasizing the importance of value-driven, patient-centric care while encouraging providers to navigate the evolving landscape for sustainable financial viability.

Wage and hour laws govern the compensation and working hours of employees, ensuring fair pay and appropriate working conditions. These regulations cover aspects such as minimum wage, overtime pay, and record-keeping, safeguarding workers’ rights.

Merger and acquisition (M&A) laws pertain to the legal aspects of combining two or more companies. These regulations ensure transparency, fair competition, and protection of stakeholders’ interests during the consolidation of businesses. Compliance with antitrust laws is crucial to prevent monopolistic practices and promote a competitive market.

Stark and Anti-Kickback laws are designed to combat healthcare fraud and abuse. The Stark Law prohibits physician self-referral, preventing conflicts of interest in medical practices. Anti-Kickback laws prohibit offering, paying, receiving, or soliciting remuneration for patient referrals, safeguarding the integrity of healthcare services and maintaining ethical practices within the industry. Compliance with these laws is essential to uphold the integrity of the healthcare system.

Obtaining new referrals has been a challenge in the post COVID-19 healthcare world. Jim will share strategies that she used to keep up your census even when on-site visits were not allowed. Many referral sources have changed their patterns and expect agencies to accommodate them.