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Overview

UT Law’s 30th Annual Health Law Conference brings together leading in-house attorneys from major hospitals and medical institutions, government officials, as well as legal and financial advisors representing hospitals, healthcare providers and physicians. The conference provides practical and detailed coverage of updates, current issues, and key strategies and opportunities facing members of the healthcare community.
 
This year’s program includes:

  • Discussion of Emerging Trends in Healthcare in the Trump era.
  • Important healthcare developments from the last year, including regulatory changes and policy initiatives in the Healthcare Year-in-Review; and insight on the Operational Impact of Significant Cases.
  • An evaluation of health plans, providers, and payment challenges.
  • Practical tips in navigating healthcare transactions, including regulatory and tax considerations.
  • Recent trends in FCA and government enforcement.
  • An exploration of telehealth and technology innovations.
  • A look at the realities of sexual harassment in the workplace and the differences between corporate policy and on-the-ground practice.
  • Ethics in Contracting Issues using a series of hypotheticals to identify issues that can arise.
  • Wednesday evening pre-conference concurrent sessions, including Health Law Fundamentals; “Deeper Dives”: Health Law and Compliance Essentials; and In-House Counsel Issues (limited to in-house counsel only).
  • Multiple networking opportunities including Thursday’s Table Topics luncheon and the Thursday evening reception.

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Wednesday Evening, Apr. 4, 2018
  • 6:00 pm
    Registration Opens
    Includes light refreshments.

  • PRE-CONFERENCE CONCURRENT SESSIONS
    Please select on registration form. Each session includes a 15-minute break.

  • Health Law Fundamentals
  • 7:00 pm
    2.00 hrs
    Health Law Fundamentals
    Hear an introduction to basic health law with an emphasis on fraud and abuse (including the Stark law and the federal anti-kickback statute), managed healthcare, HIPAA, and Medicare coverage and reimbursement issues.

    Kenneth J. Kramer, Texas Health Resources - Arlington, TX
    Edgar C. Morrison Jr., Jackson Walker LLP - San Antonio, TX
    Kristin M. Roshelli, King & Spalding, LLP - Houston, TX

  • 9:15 pm
    Adjourn

  • "Deeper Dives": Health Law and Compliance Essentials
    Presiding Officer:
    Yvonne K. Puig, Norton Rose Fulbright - Austin, TX
  • 7:00 pm
    1.00 hr
    Stark Law and Anti-Kickback: Update and Examples
    Listen to an update of the regulatory, administrative, case law, and enforcement actions related to the Stark and anti-kickback laws. Review examples of arrangements attracting scrutiny by the enforcement agencies.

    Donna S. Clark, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP - Houston, TX

  • 8:00 pm
    Break

  • 8:15 pm
    1.00 hr
    Lessons from Breach Street: What Recent Breach Incidents Tell Us About Current HIPAA Problems
    OCR’s recent slew of HIPAA breach settlements show just how costly a data breach can be, and just how important good HIPAA hygiene can be. Hear a discussion on the lessons these settlements provide to healthcare providers and other HIPAA covered entities interested in effectively shaping their compliance efforts to address those issues most likely to result in a big fine.

    Jeffery P. Drummond, Jackson Walker LLP - Dallas, TX

  • 9:15 pm
    Adjourn

  • In‐House Counsel Issues (Limited to In-House Counsel ONLY)
  • 7:00 pm
    2.00 hrs
    In-House Counsel Issues
    Limited to in-house counsel only. Participate in active discussion and sharing among panelists and participants. Hear about issues of specific interest to in-house counsel, including outside counsel management and evaluation tools, on-boarding new outside counsel, and legal department management. Plus, engage in fun and interactive discussion of hot topics affecting in-house counsel, including updates on state and federal legislation, litigation and enforcement actions, and issues between payors and providers.

    Moderator:
    Lance Lightfoot, Texas Children's Hospital - Houston, TX
    Panelists:
    David Ellenbogen, Baylor Scott and White - Austin, TX
    Lisa L. Hill, Shannon Medical Center - San Angelo, TX
    W. Christopher Shea, Memorial Hermann Health System - Houston, TX
    Tracie Smith Bedeaux, Tenet Healthcare Corporation - Dallas, TX
    Stephen G. Wohleb, Texas Hospital Association - Austin, TX

  • 9:15 pm
    Adjourn

  • Want to attend more than one Pre-Conference Session on Wednesday Evening? No Problem!
    Conference registration includes all of the course materials for the Health Law Fundamentals and "Deeper Dives": Health Law and Compliance Essentials presentations. In addition, the eConference—including papers, slides, audio and CLE credit for these presentations—will be available in "Your Briefcase" within 6-8 weeks after the conference. 

    PLEASE NOTE: Course materials and audio recordings for the In-House Counsel Issues panel are not included. Registration is limited to in-house counsel only who attend the live presentation.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Thursday Morning, Apr. 5, 2018
    Presiding Officer:
    Yvonne K. Puig, Norton Rose Fulbright - Austin, TX
  • 7:30 am
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:20 am
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Emerging Trends in Healthcare
    In year two of the Trump administration, healthcare leaders will be adjusting their strategies to focus on investments, collaborations, and efficiencies that build enterprise resilience on a baseline of continued uncertainty. Beyond health reform, additional risks and uncertainties are moving to center stage, as is the consumer, and the health industry is being forced to act. This presentation highlights the forces that are expected to have the most impact on the healthcare industry in the coming year.

    Benjamin Isgur, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - Dallas, TX

  • 9:15 am
    1.25 hrs
    Healthcare Year in Review
    Hear an entertaining and informative overview of important healthcare developments in the past year, including court decisions, regulatory changes, and policy initiatives.

    Jack S. Schroder Jr., Retired, Alston & Bird LLP - Big Canoe, GA

  • 10:30 am
    Break

  • 10:45 am
    0.75 hr
    2018 State and Federal Healthcare Legislative Landscape
    Amid the uncertainty of cuts to Medicaid, the future of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on the insurance marketplace and the forthcoming arrival (or not) of healthcare reform, healthcare providers face the reality of having to develop strategies to quickly adjust to recent policy changes while also preparing for future challenges. Explore real-time analyses and an insider’s vision into legislative issues at both the state and federal levels of government. Topics include an update on the implementation of the new 1115 waiver, Medicaid funding and potential program changes, and the implementation by the Texas Health and Human Services of value-based purchasing and other policy initiatives important to providers.

    Michelle Apodaca, Haynes and Boone, LLP - Austin, TX
    Freddy Warner, Memorial Hermann Health System - Houston, TX

  • 11:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Survival Strategies for Physician-Owned Entities
    Changes in physician reimbursement imposed by MACRA and the uncertainty of the impact of health reform on physician compensation have compelled physicians to form their own entities, but also to use those entities to exert more influence on the care delivery model. Discuss the challenges faced by physician-owned entities from the legal and market perspectives, as well as address the opportunities for physician-led entities in the emerging era of well care and cost control.

    Kenya S. Woodruff, Haynes and Boone, LLP - Dallas, TX
    Dr. Nick Zenarosa, Integrative Emergency Services - Dallas, TX

  • 12:15 pm
    Break

  • Thursday Afternoon, Apr. 5, 2018
    Presiding Officer:
    Stuart F. Miller, Baker Donelson - Houston, TX
  • Optional Table Topics Luncheon
    Join a discussion group with conference faculty and fellow registrants. Please select a Table Topic on the registration form to attend ($40 additional charge).

  • TOPIC A: HIPAA
  • 12:35 pm
    TOPIC A: HIPAA

  • TOPIC B: Stark and Anti-Kickback
  • 12:35 pm
    TOPIC B: Stark and Anti-Kickback

  • TOPIC C: Physician and Hospital Relationships
  • 12:35 pm
    TOPIC C: Physician and Hospital Relationships

  • TOPIC D: Payor Issues and Payor Hot Topics
  • 12:35 pm
    TOPIC D: ​Payor Issues and Payor Hot Topics

  • 1:20 pm
    Break

  • 1:30 pm
    0.75 hr
    Health Plans, Providers, and Payment Challenges
    Consider common payment issues and challenges in the managed care space, including out-of-network reimbursement trends and problems, Medicare Advantage payment matters, and payment disputes that result from contract term disputes or recovery processes. Gain practical strategies for avoiding and, when necessary, resolving or mitigating these payment issues with both litigation and in-house perspectives and expertise.

    Moderator:
    Leah Stewart, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School - Austin, TX
    Panelists:
    James W. Boswell III, King & Spalding - Atlanta, GA
    Don P. Walker, Texas Children's Hospital - Houston, TX

  • 2:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    Nuts and Bolts of Value-Based Purchasing and Bundled Services/Payments: Reconciling Interests of Participating Providers
    Address the practical and legal issues associated with developing and implementing alternative pricing arrangements involving professional and institutional providers, with attention paid to the importance of data and the ability to apply it in developing the pricing and payment structure. With the implementation of MACRA and the need to measure quality and outcomes, examine how this fits into a value-based strategy.

    Moderator:
    Janet Walker, Ascension - Austin, TX
    Panelists:
    Sheryl T. Dacso, Seyfarth Shaw LLP - Houston, TX
    Robert F. McStay Jr., Memorial Hermann Health System - Houston, TX

  • 3:00 pm
    Break

  • 3:15 pm
    1.00 hr
    0.50 hr ethics
    Healthcare Transactions: How to Get to Closing
    Multiple issues can arise prior to closing. Understand the transactional, regulatory, and tax considerations for nonprofit entities involved in healthcare transactions.

    Moderator:
    Allison D. Shelton, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. - Amarillo, TX
    Panelists:
    Violet M. Anderson, CHRISTUS Health - Irving, TX
    Brian P. Teaff, Bracewell - Houston, TX

  • 4:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    Private Equity Transactions with Healthcare Providers
    Learn about the unique issues that arise for providers and physician groups backed by or affiliated with private equity firms. Explore the motivations and pressures that drive these acquisitions and how they vary from those of nonprofit health systems and large publicly held systems.

    Moderator:
    Lisa Atlas Genecov, Norton Rose Fulbright - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Colin M. McDermott, VMG Health - Dallas, TX
    Howard T. Wall III, RCCH Healthcare Partners - Brentwood, TN

  • 5:00 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Telehealth and Innovations in Technology
    Explore how digital tools and innovations in technology are changing the traditional ways of delivering healthcare services. Hear a discussion on the innovations and uses of digital and mobile apps, the benefits and risks of their use, cybersecurity and other operational issues including approaches for evaluation, selection, and testing of new technologies.

    Moderator:
    G. Mitchell Dean, Baylor Scott & White Health - Dallas, TX
    Panelists:
    Thomas Bowen Wright, Baylor Scott & White Health - Dallas, TX
    Julie Hall-Barrow, Children's Health System of Texas - Dallas, TX

  • Networking Reception (5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.)
    THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

    Join us for drinks and hors d'oeuvres with program faculty and attendees.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Friday Morning, Apr. 6, 2018
    Presiding Officer:
    Kathy L. Poppitt, King & Spalding - Austin, TX
  • 7:30 am
    Conference Room Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:30 am
    1.00 hr
    Operational Impact of Significant Cases
    Take an in‐depth look at key legal developments and significant cases affecting healthcare operations, including credentialing and liability issues that impact hospitals and providers. Receive a comprehensive review of recent decisions affecting the liabilities and duties of healthcare providers in the written materials.

    Yvonne K. Puig, Norton Rose Fulbright - Austin, TX

  • 9:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Operational Hot Button Issues
    Explore key (and sometimes controversial) health law operational issues currently facing attorneys for hospitals and other healthcare entities, including practical tips and guidance. Hear an interactive discussion on the implementation of legislation from the past session (DNRs and telemedicine), guns/security and immigration issues, providing transportation (Lyft/Uber) for patients, and other topics.

    Moderator:
    Kathy L. Poppitt, King & Spalding - Austin, TX
    Panelists:
    Joanne P. Hopkins, Law Office of Joanne P. Hopkins - Austin, TX
    Susan F. Monaco, Tenet Healthcare Corporation - Dallas, TX
    Kevin A. Reed, Reed Claymon Meeker & Hargett, PLLC - Austin, TX

  • 10:15 am
    Break

  • 10:30 am
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    From Hollywood to Healthcare: Sexual Harassment Revisited
    Take a hard look at the realities of sexual harassment in the workplace, including the differences between corporate policy and on the ground practice. Examine the common characteristics of company cultures that genuinely do not tolerate sexual harassment and explore suggestions for implementing real change in the workplace.

    Jason Boulette, Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P. - Austin, TX
    Kimberly King Webb, CHRISTUS Health - Irving, TX

  • 11:15 am
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Enforcement Trends
    The federal government and various states continue to investigate and litigate healthcare fraud cases across all sectors of the industry. While 2017 was a significant year, 2018 should be the same with the False Claims Act remaining a focus of government and whistleblower activity, especially since the Supreme Court’s decision in Escobar. Courts have spent significant time analyzing and addressing the FCA in light of that opinion and others. No less important has been the criminal and administrative cases and trends, notably the use of creative theories to investigate and prosecute alleged illegal kickback and Stark law violations. Hear an overview of 2017 and 2018 trends.

    B. Scott McBride, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP - Houston, TX
    Sean R. McKenna, Greenberg Traurig, LLP - Dallas, TX

  • 12:00 pm
    1.00 hr ethics
    Ethics in Contracting Issues
    Using hypotheticals, this presentation focuses on a number of ethics issues that might arise in contracting situations. Can lawyers take advantage of privileged communications the adversary inadvertently sends them? Can lawyers receiving electronic documents look for hidden metadata the other side has not scrubbed? What duties do lawyers have in representing contracting parties, with regards to disclosing client confidences to prevent the adversary from being deceived about the clients' intent, or to correct the adversary's misunderstanding about the law, the contract's terms, or the adversary's scriveners error?

    Tom Spahn, McGuireWoods LLP - Tysons, VA

  • 1:00 pm
    Adjourn

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Violet M. Anderson

CHRISTUS Health
Irving, TX

Michelle Apodaca

Haynes and Boone, LLP
Austin, TX

James W. Boswell III

King & Spalding
Atlanta, GA

Jason Boulette

Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P.
Austin, TX

Thomas Bowen Wright

Baylor Scott & White Health
Dallas, TX

Donna S. Clark

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Houston, TX

Sheryl T. Dacso

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Houston, TX

G. Mitchell Dean

Baylor Scott & White Health
Dallas, TX

Jeffery P. Drummond

Jackson Walker LLP
Dallas, TX

David Ellenbogen

Baylor Scott and White
Austin, TX

Lisa Atlas Genecov

Norton Rose Fulbright
Dallas, TX

Julie Hall-Barrow

Children's Health System of Texas
Dallas, TX

Lisa L. Hill

Shannon Medical Center
San Angelo, TX

Joanne P. Hopkins

Law Office of Joanne P. Hopkins
Austin, TX

Benjamin Isgur

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Dallas, TX

Kimberly King Webb

CHRISTUS Health
Irving, TX

Kenneth J. Kramer

Texas Health Resources
Arlington, TX

Lance Lightfoot

Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX

B. Scott McBride

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Houston, TX

Colin M. McDermott

VMG Health
Dallas, TX

Sean R. McKenna

Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Dallas, TX

Robert F. McStay Jr.

Memorial Hermann Health System
Houston, TX

Susan F. Monaco

Tenet Healthcare Corporation
Dallas, TX

Edgar C. Morrison Jr.

Jackson Walker LLP
San Antonio, TX

Kathy L. Poppitt

King & Spalding
Austin, TX

Yvonne K. Puig

Norton Rose Fulbright
Austin, TX

Kevin A. Reed

Reed Claymon Meeker & Hargett, PLLC
Austin, TX

Kristin M. Roshelli

King & Spalding, LLP
Houston, TX

Jack S. Schroder Jr.

Retired, Alston & Bird LLP
Big Canoe, GA

W. Christopher Shea

Memorial Hermann Health System
Houston, TX

Allison D. Shelton

Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
Amarillo, TX

Tracie Smith Bedeaux

Tenet Healthcare Corporation
Dallas, TX

Tom Spahn

McGuireWoods LLP
Tysons, VA

Leah Stewart

The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
Austin, TX

Brian P. Teaff

Bracewell
Houston, TX

Don P. Walker

Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX

Janet Walker

Ascension
Austin, TX

Howard T. Wall III

RCCH Healthcare Partners
Brentwood, TN

Freddy Warner

Memorial Hermann Health System
Houston, TX

Stephen G. Wohleb

Texas Hospital Association
Austin, TX

Kenya S. Woodruff

Haynes and Boone, LLP
Dallas, TX

Dr. Nick Zenarosa

Integrative Emergency Services
Dallas, TX

Planning Committee

Kathy L. Poppitt—Co-Chair

King & Spalding
Austin, TX

Yvonne K. Puig—Co-Chair

Norton Rose Fulbright
Austin, TX

Violet M. Anderson

CHRISTUS Health
Irving, TX

Michelle Apodaca

Haynes and Boone, LLP
Austin, TX

Sheryl T. Dacso

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Houston, TX

Gary W. Eiland

King & Spalding
Houston, TX

Lisa Atlas Genecov

Norton Rose Fulbright
Dallas, TX

David W. Hilgers

Husch Blackwell LLP
Austin, TX

Hal S. Katz

Husch Blackwell LLP
Austin, TX

Kimberly King Webb

CHRISTUS Health
Irving, TX

Lance Lightfoot

Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX

B. Scott McBride

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Houston, TX

Robert F. McStay Jr.

Memorial Hermann Health System
Houston, TX

Stuart F. Miller

Baker Donelson
Houston, TX

Virginia Alverson Mimmack

Jackson Walker LLP
Dallas, TX

Kevin A. Reed

Reed Claymon Meeker & Hargett, PLLC
Austin, TX

Allison D. Shelton

Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
Amarillo, TX

Leah Stewart

The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
Austin, TX

Brenda T. Strama

Beatty Bangle Strama, P.C.
Austin, TX

Janet Walker

Ascension
Austin, TX

Stephen G. Wohleb

Texas Hospital Association
Austin, TX

Kenya S. Woodruff

Haynes and Boone, LLP
Dallas, TX

Credit Info

MCLE Credit
You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Monday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com
At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  
At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Supreme Court of Louisiana Continuing Legal Education Committee within 30 days after the conference. 
At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.
UT Law CLE is an approved provider of Pennsylvania credit, sponsor #236. You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. You may also be required to sign-in at the registration desk if you are attending in-person - please see staff onsite for more details. Attorney attendance will be reported to Pennsylvania within 2 weeks of the webcast conclusion. Attorneys are not able to report this credit on their own, and UT Law CLE pays all associated fees for the credit hours. Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.
Other Credit
The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion at the conference for your records. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.  

Contact Laura Tolin, ltolin@law.utexas.edu, if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Houston – Apr 4*, 5-6, 2018 – Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston
*Wednesday Pre-Conference Sessions
Conference Concluded
Buy
Houston
Last day for Individual early registration: Mar 28, 2018

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for Group (5 registrants minimum) early registration: Mar 28, 2018

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for Group (10 registrants minimum) early registration: Mar 28, 2018

Add $50 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Mar 30, 2018

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Apr 2, 2018

Venue

speaker

Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston

2222 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027-3502
713.627.7600
855.463.3091 (reservations)
Map

Accommodations

$179 room rate good through March 12, 2018 (subject to availability).

Book your room online here  or call the reservations department at 855.463.3091 and reference the 2018 UT Health Law Conference. The reservations link will be active until the room block is full or the cutoff date of March 12, 2018, whichever comes first. 

Parking Information

Self-parking $10 daily; $16 overnight
Valet $16 daily; $25 overnight
(rates subject to change) 

Our Sponsors

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