The Biggest Legal Mistakes Physicians Make— and How to Avoid Them

The Biggest Legal Mistakes Physicians Make— And How to Avoid Them Edited by Steven Babitsky, Esq. James J. Mangraviti, Jr., Esq. SEAK, Inc. Falmouth, Massachusetts The Biggest Legal Mistakes Physicians Make—And How to Avoid Them Copyright © 2005 by SEAK, Inc. ISBN: 1-892904-26-8 All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. This book is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice. An attorney or other appropriate source should be consulted if necessary. No part of this work may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information on retrieval and storage systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. For information, send a written request for permission to SEAK, Inc., P.O. Box 729, Falmouth, MA 02541. 508-457-1111. CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.........................................................................................ix RELATED PRODUCTS BY SEAK, INC..............................................................xv ABOUT THE EDITORS ...................................................................................... xvii PREFACE ................................................................................................................xix PROLOGUE ............................................................................................................xxi FAILING TO VIEW LEGAL ISSUES PROPERLY..........................................................xxi CHAPTER 1 ANTITRUST ......................................................................................1 1.1 RESPONDING TO ANTITRUST COMPLAINTS.........................................................1 1.2 ANTITRUST LAWS...............................................................................................6 CHAPTER 2 ASSET PROTECTION...................................................................15 2.1 ASSET PROTECTION ..........................................................................................15 2.2 TITLING ASSETS AMONG SPOUSE, CHILDREN, & OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS...20 2.3 ATTEMPTING TO USE STATE EXEMPTION LAWS TO SHIELD ASSETS................25 2.4 USING OFFSHORE TRUSTS ................................................................................31 2.5 MOVING ASSETS OFFSHORE .............................................................................38 2.6 DEALING WITH ASSET PROTECTION PROFESSIONALS.......................................42 2.7 PROTECTING PERSONAL ASSETS ......................................................................46 CHAPTER 3 BANKRUPTCY ...............................................................................53 3.1 BANKRUPTCY MATTERS...................................................................................53 3.2 DEALING WITH BANKRUPTCY COUNSEL ..........................................................58 3.3 BEFORE AND DURING THE BANKRUPTCY PROCESS..........................................62 CHAPTER 4 BUSINESS PLANNING AND STRUCTURING..........................67 4.1 DEALING WITH PRACTICE SUPPORT AGREEMENTS...........................................67 4.2 CLOSING OR LEAVING A MEDICAL PRACTICE ..................................................73 4.3 NEGOTIATING BUYOUTS–THE REMAINING PARTNERS’ PERSPECTIVE..............77 4.4 DECISIONAL GRIDLOCK OR SELF-DESTRUCTIVE PARTNER INFIGHTING...........85 4.5 RETIREMENT ARRANGEMENTS .........................................................................89 4.6 BUY-INS............................................................................................................96 4.7 NEGOTIATING BUY-INS–THE NEW PARTNER’S PERSPECTIVE ........................101 4.8 LEGAL, TAX, AND ECONOMIC MISTAKES PHYSICIANS MAKE IN FASHIONING BUY-INS AND BUYOUTS ........................................................................................105 4.9 PLANNING AND STRUCTURING A PRACTICE OR BUSINESS..............................110 iii CHAPTER 5 COMPLIANCE............................................................................. 117 5.1 HIPAA COMPLIANCE FOR GROUP PRACTICES............................................... 117 5.2 VIOLATIONS OF HIPAA................................................................................. 122 5.3 LIABILITY FOR FRAUD ................................................................................... 126 5.4 HANDLING OVERPAYMENTS.......................................................................... 132 5.5 VIOLATIONS OF PRIVACY............................................................................... 137 5.6 CERTIFICATE-OF-NEED PROCESS................................................................... 141 5.7 RESPONDING TO A MEDICARE INQUIRY......................................................... 146 5.8 THIRD-PARTY PAYER AUDITS ....................................................................... 151 CHAPTER 6 CONTRACTS................................................................................ 157 6.1 NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS WITH EMPLOYERS .............................................. 157 6.2 NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS WITH EMPLOYERS .............................................. 163 6.3 NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS WITH PHYSICIAN EMPLOYEES ............................ 168 6.4 NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS............................................................................ 174 6.5 NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS FOR IN-OFFICE ANCILLARY SERVICES ............... 179 6.6 FIRST EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS.................................................................. 185 6.7 DEALING WITH NONCOMPETE ISSUES............................................................ 191 CHAPTER 7 CRIMINAL LAW ......................................................................... 197 7.1 INVESTIGATION FOR OR CHARGES OF CIVIL OR CRIMINAL FRAUD................ 197 7.2 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OR CHARGES ..................................................... 202 7.3 AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH A CRIME ........................................................ 209 7.4 HIRING A CRIMINAL LAWYER........................................................................ 215 7.5 INVESTIGATION FOR POTENTIAL CRIMINAL CHARGES .................................. 220 CHAPTER 8 DISABILITY INSURANCE ........................................................ 227 8.1 FILING A CLAIM FOR DISABILITY................................................................... 227 CHAPTER 9 DIVORCE...................................................................................... 233 9.1 DIVORCE ........................................................................................................ 233 9.2 WHEN DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN FILED ....................................... 238 9.3 AFTER FILING FOR DIVORCE.......................................................................... 243 CHAPTER 10 EMPLOYMENT LAW............................................................... 247 10.1 TERMINATING AN EMPLOYEE ...................................................................... 247 10.2 NEGOTIATING CALL DUTY WITH AN EMPLOYER ........................................ 251 10.3 DISCIPLINING EMPLOYEES........................................................................... 256 10.4 TERMINATING EMPLOYEES.......................................................................... 262 10.5 INTERVIEWING JOB APPLICANTS ................................................................. 267 10.6 HIRING AN EMPLOYEE ................................................................................. 273 10.7 LIABILITY FOR DISCRIMINATION ................................................................. 279 10.8 EMPLOYMENT LAWS.................................................................................... 285 10.9 AFTER TERMINATION................................................................................... 289 iv 10.10 LIABILITY FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT .......................................................294 CHAPTER 11 ERISA/RETIREMENT PLANS.................................................301 11.1 ERISA..........................................................................................................301 11.2 ERISA CLAIMS.............................................................................................307 11.3 ESTABLISHING OR OPERATING QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS..................315 CHAPTER 12 ESTATE PLANNING .................................................................321 12.1 TRUSTS .........................................................................................................321 12.2 ESTABLISHING, FUNDING, AND ADMINISTERING TRUSTS.............................327 12.3 FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS..................................................................333 12.4 PREPARING WILLS ........................................................................................337 12.5 DEALING WITH ESTATE PLANNING PROFESSIONALS ....................................342 12.6 WHEN YOUNG PHYSICIANS SET UP THEIR ESTATE PLANS ..........................348 CHAPTER 13 HOSPITAL RELATIONS ..........................................................359 13.1 HOSPITAL-PHYSICIAN CONTRACTING ..........................................................359 13.2 HOSPITAL STAFF PRIVILEGES .......................................................................366 CHAPTER 14 IMMIGRATION..........................................................................371 14.1 IMMIGRATION MISTAKES PHYSICIANS MAKE ..............................................371

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