 |
|
Biography
Debbi's practice focuses on providing legal services to the health care industry. She is experienced in representation of health care entities on transactional and regulatory matters. Her experience includes providing advice in the areas of hospital-physician contracting, hospital acquisitions, physician practice acquisitions, physician practice management and management service organizations, physician recruitment and employment, independent practice associations, managed care, and integrated delivery systems. She has a practice emphasis in the area of third party reimbursement, including all aspects of coverage and payment under Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, Debbi has significant experience advising clients on federal and state government program anti-kickback, physician self-referral (Stark Law), false claims, civil monetary penalty, and related sanctions issues. She is board certified in Health Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
|
|
|
Representative
Experience
- Represented a number of hospital-controlled physician medical practices in structuring the winddown of their operations to comply with the Stark Law and federal and state illegal remuneration laws
- Represented numerous health care providers in structuring arrangements to comply with the Stark Law, federal and state anti-kickback laws, corporate practice of medicine restrictions, and related health laws
- Represented hospital in self-disclosure of Stark Law issue to HHS Office of Inspector General
- Represented a number of health care entities concerning Medicare audit and overpayment matters
- Represented various physician groups in the execution and termination of arrangements with physician practice management companies
- Represented a children's hospital before a state Medicaid agency with respect to significant cost reimbursement dispute
|
| Results depend upon the facts of each case. |
|
Activities and Affiliations
- Adjunct Professor of Law: University of Houston Law Center
- Member: Health Law Section, American Bar Association; Health Law Section, State Bar of Texas; Health Law Section, Houston Bar Association (Chair, 2004-05); American Health Lawyers Association; Healthcare Financial Management Association
- Listed: Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers in healthcare law, 2005-2006; The Best Lawyers in America in healthcare law, 2005-2006; "Texas Super Lawyer" in healthcare law, Texas Monthly, 2003-2005
- Speaker: numerous associations and professional groups on health law issues
- Author: various articles on health law issues
|
|
Education and Professional Background
- Northwestern University, B.A. in political science, 1977
- Indiana University School of Law, J.D. cum laude, 1980 (Order of Barristers; Phi Alpha Delta)
- Admitted to practice: Indiana, 1980; Texas, 1982
- Judicial clerkship with Judge William I. Garrard, Court of Appeals of Indiana, 1980-1981
- Wood, Lucksinger & Epstein: Partner, 1989-1991; Associate, 1982-1988
- Thompson & Knight L.L.P.: Partner, 1991-2000
|