www.iowamedical.org
The Office of Legal Affairs provides information to member physicians about Board of Medical Examiner activities, third-party payors, HIPAA, EMTALA and other issues that impact the practice of medicine. This information is not intended to serve as legal advice. 
On October 31, 2011, Judge Artis Reis of the District Court for Polk County ruled that administrative rules adopted by the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBN) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) authorizing nurse practitioners to supervise fluoroscopy were invalid, illegal, void and of no effect.
This litigation began in June 2010 when the Iowa...
On January 14, UnitedHealthcare will send letters to physicians and group practice administrators about UHC's quality and cost efficiency assessments of them under its Premium designation program. Two-star physicians have met UHC's measurement standards for both quality and cost efficiency; only those...
The Polk County District Court, on November 23, 2010, issued a stay order placing on hold rules of the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBN) and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) permitting supervision of fluoroscopy by advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). The Court's order is in response...
In July, the Iowa Supreme Court handed down an opinion in Iowa v. Cashen. In this criminal case, a defendant charged with domestic abuse assault sought access to the mental health records of the abuse victim. The defendant claimed that the records were necessary to prove his innocence. The Iowa Supreme...
Iowa physicians have new practice standards for using injections and surgeries to diagnose and manage a patient's persistent and intractable pain. The standards are outlined in a new administrative rule, which goes into effect on Wednesday, August 4. The rule, 653 IAC Chapter 13.9, defines...
The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) filed litigation today to challenge the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Board of Nursing for inappropriately expanding the scope of practice of nursing to include the supervision of fluoroscopy.
The American...
An AMA-led lawsuit was filed in federal court on May 21 seeking to prevent the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from extending identity theft regulations to physicians. The AMA was joined in this suit by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the...
The AMA Practice Management Center has launched a new online resource that will help physicians file claims in the record-breaking settlement reached in the AMA legal victory against UnitedHealth Group, the nation's largest health insurer. More than...
Gov. Chet Culver has announced four appointments to the Iowa Board of Medicine (IBM). Joyce Vista-Wayne, MD, of Ottumwa, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Yasyn Lee, MD, of Dubuque. Dr. Vista-Wayne is board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. She practices...
The Iowa Insurance Division (IID) has begun an examination of Iowa's law and regulations allowing patients and their physicians to file for an external review of a health plan's final decision to deny payment for a medical service deemed to be medically...