PHYSICAL THERAPIST LICENSE DEFENSE

Obtaining a physical therapist license is not an easy process. Physical therapists must put forth significant effort and investments to receive their license. An accusation of misconduct or a criminal record of any kind can put all of this hard work in jeopardy. If you find yourself in this situation, you need a physical therapist license defense lawyer. 

At Leichter Law Firm PC, we’re dedicated to representing licensed healthcare professionals like you before your prospective licensing board. We’ve been successful in defending numerous physical therapists in a variety of administrative proceedings and appeals. Our attorneys at Leichter are here to answer your questions about physical therapist license defense and the aspect of healthcare compliance. To discuss your case with our experienced Texas medical license defense team, contact us today by calling 512-495-9995.

Healthcare Compliance Requirements

It is required that healthcare organizations identify all regulations and standards that apply to their area of practice. Each state has its own set of laws, regulations, and policies that relate to health and patient care. Each state must follow both their state’s regulations and federal laws in order to maintain their professional license. In the state of Texas, fees, architectural and life safety code approval, initial on-site surveys, and application reviews are all necessary measures that must be taken to retain medical licenses.

Due to the complexity of the nature of healthcare compliance and regulations, it is important to have a compliance lawyer who can implement and regularly update these policies as needed. 

Physical Therapist License Defense FAQs

You might hear a physical therapist license defense lawyer referred to as a compliance lawyer. The purpose of a compliance lawyer is to serve as the representative of a company’s ethics and compliance program. They ensure that the company uses due diligence and maintains a sense of integrity within their operations. They do so to protect the company against legal risk and potential lawsuits.

A compliance lawyer for a physical therapist will develop a standard of ethics and compliance policies that meet all the necessary requirements. Once these ethics have been created and documented, they will manage risk training on all compliance-related issues. The compliance lawyer will then see to implement and maintain this code of ethics within the workplace. They often work alongside the human resources department and senior management in enforcing these policies. 

In the case of an investigation or audit, the lawyer will also be responsible for handling legal support and defense. Their job is to evaluate the violation and respond to it through remedial action protocols. 

In a high-risk industry such as healthcare, compliance is necessary. It requires that employees follow any rules, regulations, laws, and policies that relate to their practices. Healthcare compliance covers a broad area of practices and policies. This includes (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Patient billing
  • Reimbursement
  • Patient care
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • HIPAA privacy and security 
  • Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
  • Managed care contracting 

Though any of these could become a problem in healthcare compliance, the majority of issues that arise have to do with patient safety, privacy and patient billing practices. 

There are several different government agencies that regulate healthcare compliance. Each focuses on its own area of control. For example, agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services focus on protecting healthcare programs from things like fraud, waste, or abuse. The Drug Enforcement Administration enforces laws that pertain to controlled substances and how to properly administer them. 

Every organization or provider in the field of healthcare must adhere to a compliance program. A larger organization will need a compliance program that reflects their size. It must involve a large group of diverse individuals with many different disciplines. Some organizations might have as many as several hundreds of individuals within their program. 

While in a smaller practice area, like a private or solo practice, physicians might not need nearly as large of a compliance program, but they need one just the same. 

Healthcare compliance is always required, and it's always changing. Organizations must remain up-to-date on any new laws, regulations, or professional standards in their field. Both federal and state healthcare laws are constantly changing, as well as the way we interpret those laws. Healthcare workers must constantly review and update their program if necessary. With these updates should also come continuous training to ensure each staff member is aware of new and changing regulations. They must also audit their performances routinely to make certain that they’re meeting these standards. 

Every organization relating to healthcare must follow the compliance rules set in place to operate efficiently and effectively. This especially applies to physical therapy. The stakes in areas like this are much higher than in other industries because a deviation from procedure could result in serious injury to a patient. 

Patient care is based on healthcare compliance, which is based on appropriate and current clinical standards. Healthcare compliance protects patients from injuries that might result from broken protocol. 

Healthcare compliance isn’t just about protecting the patients, though. It is also about protecting doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Complying with the standards set in place helps these professionals work in a safe manner while continuously improving the quality of their care. Violation of these standards and regulations can bring about lawsuits, large fines, or even the loss of a professional license.

Government agencies are in charge of punishing organizations and providers for not complying with set standards. Having a good healthcare compliance system in place can help identify any problems and quickly find solutions before the need for the government to step in. It can also help providers avoid liability for medical malpractice suits. By ensuring that medical professionals are following the current clinical standards to the best of their ability, they are less likely to come under fire for malpractice claims. 

Contact A Physical Therapist License Defense Lawyer Today

If you’re a physical therapist and you need a license defense (or compliance) lawyer, you need Leichter. The dedicated Texas attorneys of the Leichter Law Firm have years of combined experience in handling a variety of license defense cases. Malpractice suits, litigation, and the everchanging compliance policies in the healthcare arena have created stricter licensing guidelines and disciplinary procedures for licensees. Whether you are facing initial licensing concerns or are the subject of a disciplinary action or misconduct investigation, we’ll advocate for you. Request your free consultation today by calling 512-495-9995.

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Austin Office

1602 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 495-9995
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Houston Office

3700 N Main St
Houston, TX 77009
Phone: (713) 714-2446
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McAllen Office

214 N 16th St #128
McAllen, TX 78501
Phone: (956) 205-0884
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