Updates to Georgia’s Nursing Home Medicaid Financial Limits and Medicare Increases
As 2021 quickly approaches, the updated financial limitations for Nursing Home Medicaid and increases to Medicare costs have been released. While the new limits have been released, the Public Health Emergency (“PHE”) remains in effect until
Court of Appeals Finds Hospital Lien Still Enforceable Against Insurers After Policy Limits Settlement
Written by: James G. Smith, Esq. The Georgia Court of Appeals recently issued a decision in the case of Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation, Inc. v. Geico General Insurance Company[1] which underscores the critical importance of being aware
HHS proposes major changes to HIPAA’s Privacy Rule
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently published proposed modifications to the HIPAA privacy rule, which, if finalized, would significantly impact Covered Entities’ responses to records requests.
Vodafone Fined €12.25 Million by Italian Data Protection Authority
Written by: Brett Lawrence, Esq. On November 12, 2020, Vodafone, the multinational telecommunications company, was fined €12.25 million by Garante, Italy’s data protection authority. The fine is the third largest ordered by the regulator. G
Facebook Fined $50,000 for Violating Russian Data Localization Law
Written by: Brett Lawrence, Esq. As of 2016, Russia requires all technology companies who collect and process the personal data of Russian citizens to store that data on servers located in Russia. Recently, Russian authorities discovered that F
Zoom Settles Alleged Unfair & Deceptive Practices with Federal Trade Commission
Written by: Charles R. Langhorne IV, Esq. In November, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) released a Consent Agreement outlining the terms of the settlement the FTC reached with Zoom communications regarding alleged unfai
HHS Proposed Regulatory Reform Rule Will Require Vigilant Monitoring
Written by: Angela Tompkins, MSHA, RN, Esq. Earlier this month, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking requiring the Department to assess its regulations every ten years to determine whether they
CDC Federal Advisory Committee Recommends Giving Priority for COVID-19 Vaccines to Healthcare Workers and Long-Term Care Facility Residents in Wake of Deadline for States to Submit Their Vaccination Plans This Friday
Written by: Alex Battey, Esq. and Paige Nettles, Esq. On Tuesday, December 1, 2020 the independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevision on the implementation of COVID
Four HBS Attorneys Included on 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List
In the 2020 edition of the Mid-South Super Lawyers magazine, the law firm of Hall Booth Smith (HBS) has been recognized for its outstanding legal work as four of its attorneys are on the list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Partner David Proc
Opioid Overdose Deaths Surge During COVID-19 Pandemic, Alarming Health Officials
The number of Americans dying from opioid overdoses surged dramatically in 2020 while the coronavirus pandemic was raging, causing alarm among public health officials and setting the stage for an increase in opioid litigation. More than 81,000 d