
Comprehensive Support for Complex Care Challenges
We recognize the medical, legal, and ethical dimensions applicable to quality healthcare and our nationally renown experts incorporate those dimensions into the counseling and consulting we provide. We focus on the legal and clinical aspects, which are almost always intertwined.
Services
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Evaluate the Statement of Deficiency (SOD or, "2567") for errors or false conclusions
Recommend specific action items both pre and post-survey
Assist with Plans of Correction (POC) and Allegations of Compliance (AOC) when immediate jeopardy is alleged
Draft and/or review Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR)
Draft and/or review Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR)
Evaluate Strengths and Weaknesses of CMS allegations and advise regarding IDR, IIDR, and Appeals
Negotiate with CMS
Care Plan evaluations and revisions
Wound care prevention and treatment
Assist with Facility Assessment
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Antipsychotic Use
Counseling regarding high-risk areas such as not overlooking the HHS OIG List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE)
Decision-Making Capacity (DMC) Assessments - how to conduct the examination(s)
Deprescribing
Diabetes management
Fall Prevention
How to manage resident-resident abuse as well as resident-staff abuse
Involuntary Discharges
Managing Residents Abuse and Neglect - Proactive approaches
Mandatory reporting (e.g., State survey agency, State police, CMS, DEA, etc.)
Medical Marijuana - currently legal in 40 states and D.C. (not legal under federal law)
Pressure Ulcers - how to avoid, treat, and mitigate
Principles of Documentation
Role(s) of the Medical Director
Sexuality and Dementia
Smoking-related issues
Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
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Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) - Legal in 12 states
Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) - Legal in all 50 states
Palliative Care
Ethical issues -Dr. Steinberg is certified as a Health Care Ethics Consultant
Both Dr. Haimowitz and Dr. Steinberg have extensive and significant first-hand experience with end-of-life care issues
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Negotiate with the HHS Office of Inspector General where applicable
Evaluate and make recommendations regarding your QAPI program and QAA Committee (e.g., structure, function, feedback loops, communication with governing body)
Educate management and staff regarding what documents are privileged and shielded from discovery and how to maintain - or lose the privilege
Advise Governing Body of legal requirements and areas of potential liability
Trusted Associates
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Karl Steinberg
Certified Medical Director & Ethics Consultant
MD, CMD, HMDC, HEC-C
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Daniel Haimowitz
Certified Medical Director & Expert Consultant
MD, FACP, CMD

Successfully prevented a home health agency (HHA) from being terminated from the Medicare program by CMS.
Successfully prevented a hospice from being terminated from the Medicare program by CMS.
Obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) in federal court on behalf of a skilled nursing facility, temporarily halting termination of the facility’s provider agreement.
Negotiated the return of a civil money penalty of more than $220,000 from CMS on behalf of a healthcare REIT.
Successfully defended a national hospice company alleged to have caused a patient’s death.
Litigated a case in which CMS was ordered to refund more than $600,000 plus $53,000 in interest to a nursing home.
Representative Experience
My Work
When surveyors incorrectly allege a deficiency, the consequences for providers can be devastating —from six-figure penalties to termination from Medicare. After representing CMS for more than a decade, Alan focused his career on helping skilled nursing facilities, hospices, and home health agencies challenge allegations that lack a legal and/or factual basis.
Having proudly represented CMS in Region III for 12 years with a focus almost exclusively on post-acute and long-term care providers, Alan is able to appreciate both the perspectives from the government as well as the provider sector. Additionally, our medical experts have testified for CMS as well as providers and bring their expertise to the table in an objective, evidence-based fashion.
“I have worked with Alan over several years. He has been exceptional and invaluable when dealing with regulatory agencies such as state departments of health and OIG. When one of our skilled facilities finds itself dealing with a regulatory issue of any kind, Alan is my first and last call. I know Alan and his team will provide the most professional and competent attention to the problem and take the ball over the finish line. He and his team have my complete trust and confidence.”
Alex Senkoff, M.D.
Owner and Manager
Veritas Management Group
Facing a CMS Action?
Alan has the insight and experience to protect your facility.