Healthcare Regulatory Compliance Attorneys in Houston

Protecting Healthcare Providers from Regulatory Risks Before They Become Costly Investigations

Healthcare is the most heavily regulated industry in the United States. At Hendershot Cowart P.C., we help healthcare professionals and medical practices across the United States navigate the complex web of federal and state healthcare regulations. Our attorneys combine decades of experience with practical business acumen to keep your practice compliant and your focus on patient care.

Our Healthcare Regulatory Services for Texas Medical Practices

We provide proactive compliance counsel for healthcare providers with a range of regulatory matters, including:

• Proactive regulatory compliance counsel and support
• Drafting and implementing healthcare compliance plans
• False Claims Act compliance and defense
• Anti-Kickback Statute advisory and violation defense
• Stark Law compliance for physician referrals
• HIPAA privacy and security requirements and compliance obligations for covered entities
• Medicare and Medicaid provider enrollment and compliance
• State healthcare regulations and licensing
• Defense representation for Medicare and private payer audits, investigations, and alleged violations

We focus on preparedness – whether that means structuring your healthcare business transaction correctly or helping your practice withstand increasing scrutiny from state and federal regulators. Providers across the U.S. rely on our services to stay ahead of both.

Call (713) 783-3110 to schedule a consultation with our Houston healthcare regulatory compliance lawyers.

Why Compliance Matters

Regulatory violations can trigger federal investigations, multimillion-dollar penalties, and exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid programs. We identify compliance gaps before regulators do and implement practical safeguards that protect your practice without disrupting patient care.

Whether you're structuring a new practice, executing a healthcare transaction, or updating compliance programs, our healthcare regulatory compliance attorneys provide the guidance you need to operate confidently within the law.

When You Need Healthcare Compliance Counsel 

Contact our healthcare compliance attorneys if you are: 

• Starting a new medical practice. Establish compliant billing, documentation, and operational procedures from day one. 
• Entering a business transaction. Structure joint ventures, MSAs, or equipment leases to comply with Stark and Anti-Kickback laws with experienced counsel.
• Updating existing programs. We can help you audit current compliance plans to address regulatory changes or identified gaps. 
• Facing regulatory scrutiny. Our healthcare team can guide you through responses to government inquiries, audit requests, or investigation notices. 
• Expanding services. Adding new procedures, locations, or partnerships can trigger compliance obligations.

Compliance in Healthcare Transactions, Agreements, & New Practices

Healthcare transactions must comply with multiple overlapping regulations, including Stark Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the False Claims Act. We structure compliant arrangements for:

• Joint ventures and partnerships, including physician-hospital joint ventures, ASC partnerships and ownership structures, and diagnostic imaging center investments. 
• Medical spas, ketamine clinics, and IV hydration clinics, from ownership structures and delegation authority to compliant marketing and advertising arrangements
• Management services agreements (MSAs) that comply with Texas's prohibition against the corporate practice of medicine
• Real estate and equipment, such as medical office leases that comply with Stark Law, equipment purchase and lease agreements, and fair market value assessments. 
• Pharmacy setup and services, including compounding pharmacies, telehealth services, and in-office dispensing compliance

Each arrangement requires careful structuring to ensure compliance with fraud and abuse laws while achieving your business objectives.

Building Effective Healthcare Compliance Plans

A sound compliance program is the best preventative measure for any healthcare organization. With increased scrutiny from the Texas Attorney General, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG), Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), and other government agencies, having regulatory compliance attorneys on your side is essential. Even unintentional violations can lead to costly investigations, sanctions, penalties, and criminal prosecution.

Our compliance plan toolkit encompasses eight elements to help your organization consistently meet regulatory requirements:

1. Code of conduct: Establishes an organization's commitment to regulatory adherence and clearly defines the mission and ethical standards for the entire workforce, from board members to hourly employees.
2. Written policies and procedures: Documented standards covering billing practices, documentation requirements, conflicts of interest, and regulatory adherence. 
3. Compliance officer and committee: Designated leadership responsible for overseeing compliance activities, monitoring regulatory changes, and coordinating training.
4. Employee training and education: Regular training programs to ensure all staff understand compliance requirements and organizational policies. 
5. Open communication channels: Anonymous reporting mechanisms and "speak up" culture to allow employees to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
6. Auditing and monitoring: Regular internal audits of billing, coding, and documentation practices to identify and correct issues proactively. 
7. Enforcement and discipline: Clear consequences for policy violations, applied consistently across the organization. 
8. Response and corrective action: Procedures for investigating violations, implementing corrections, and preventing recurrence.

Compliance Auditing Best Practices 

We strongly recommend that healthcare practices and medical clinics actively audit and monitor plans to ensure compliance on an ongoing basis, reviewing:

• Outline general audit guidelines, including procedures for reviewing coding, billing, and documentation compliance, both before and after submission
• Prioritize federal programs when conducting audits and monitoring, and stay up to date with any changes to claims submission, CMS updates, and compliance guidelines
• Compare audit results with benchmark data
• Establish guidelines to foster collaboration between at least one medically trained individual (i.e., nurse or physician) and administrative personnel

Conduct audits at least once per year, and review at least five medical records per federal payer and five to 10 medical records per physician. Regular auditing identifies issues before external auditors or government agencies do.

Protect Your Practice with Proactive Healthcare Compliance Counsel

Don't wait for a government audit or investigation to address compliance gaps. Our healthcare regulatory compliance attorneys help you identify risks, implement safeguards, and operate with confidence.

Call (713) 783-3110 to schedule a consultation. Our Houston-based healthcare compliance attorneys proudly serve clients throughout the United States.