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Fundamentals of Health Law

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Monday
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Tuesday
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Sunday, November 2, 2025


11:00 am-5:30 pm
Conference Attendee Assistance: Check-In and Badge Pick-Up
Come to the AHLA Registration Area to print your badge—our team is here to help with any questions you have about the conference.
Please Note: We will not be providing lunch. Attendees should plan accordingly.

12:30-5:30 pm General Session
12:30-12:45 pm
Welcome and Introduction

Mark S. Kopson, AHLA President
Nicholas F. Alarif, Conference Committee Chair 


12:45-1:45 pm
1. What's New in Health Law; What to Expect in 2025-2026

Marc D. Goldstone, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Wellpath

 

  • Government policy pivots
  • Update on dispute resolution/surprise billing
  • Current state of AI in healthcare and things to watch for
  • Health care employment law trends
  • Current reimbursement challenges
  • Emerging trends not previously considered

1:50-3:00 pm
2. The A&Bs of Medicare Parts A & B

Drew Canning, Husch Blackwell
Brad Nitschke, Associate Senior Counsel, Legal Affairs, Parkland Health

 

  • Session details will be available soon

3:15-4:15 pm
3. Fundamentals of Medicare Parts C and D/Medicare Advantage

Ross D. Margulies, Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP

 

  • Session details will be available soon

4:30-5:30 pm
4. Health Care Privacy for Health Lawyers

Kirk J. Nahra, WilmerHale

 

Privacy is becoming one of the core areas for understanding in virtually all areas of health law. Privacy affects most health care policy issues, corporate transactions, business contracts, litigation, business strategy and a wide range of overall compliance issues. This session will provide a baseline for all health lawyers on key areas where health privacy law impacts the business of health care and the use of health information across our health care system.


5:30-6:30 pm
Networking Mixer
This event is included in the registration fee. Attendees, speakers, and registered guests are welcome. Interested in sponsoring this event? Sponsor.

 

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Monday, November 3, 2025


7:00 am-5:30 pm
Conference Attendee Assistance
If you have not checked in, stop by to print your badge.

7:00-8:00 am
Conference Breakfast
This event is included in the conference registration fee. Attendees, speakers, and registered guests are welcome. Interested in sponsoring this event? Sponsor.

8:00-11:45 am General Session
8:00-9:00 am
5. ABCs of the PSL: A Primer on the Physician Self-Referral Law

Nicholas F. Alarif, McDermott Will & Emery LLP

 

  • Fundamentals of the PSL (also known as the "Stark Law")
  • Discuss when the law is implicated vs. when it is not
  • Use hypotheticals to inform analysis
  • Discuss different types of exceptions for ownership, compensation and services
  • Explain when to use exceptions and best practices

9:10-10:00 am
6. Anti-Kickback Statute and EKRA Primer

Joan B. Killgore, Polsinelli PC

 

  • The Anti-Kickback Statute and Historic Case Law
  • Anti-Kickback Statute Safe Harbors–what they are and how to “sail into” them
  • The Anti-Kickback Statute in Action
  • Minimizing Anti-Kickback Statute risks
  • “AKS Plus” – EKRA
  • Significant Enforcement and Case Law Trends

10:10-10:40 am
7. Physician Self-Referral Law vs Anti-Kickback Statute

Nicholas F. Alarif, McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Joan B. Killgore, Polsinelli PC

 

  • This session aims to contrast the Physician Self-Referral Law and Anti-Kickback Statute from a policy and operational perspective
  • Discussion of enforcement and implications of violating either law
  • Evaluation of hypothetical arrangements and the analytical framework for determining whether either, both, or neither of the laws are implicated
  • Specifically, we will compare the following differences between the Anti-Kickback Statute to the Stark Law
    • Intent vs. Strict Liability
    • Penalties
    • Safe Harbors vs. Exceptions
    • Voluntary Disclosure Processes

10:45-11:45 am
8. The False Claims Act - What You Need to Know

John E. Kelly, Barnes & Thornburg
Wedad Suleiman, Associate VP and Assistant GC, Radiology Partners

 

The False Claims Act (FCA) remains the government’s most powerful tool to combat health care fraud, waste, and abuse. This session is designed for attorneys and compliance professionals new to health care and offers a practical introduction to the FCA. We’ll cover:

  • Core elements and key case law: Understand what constitutes a false claim, including recent developments in materiality, intent, and qui tam actions
  • Enforcement trends: Review DOJ and OIG priorities, including current hot spots like Medicare Advantage, telehealth, and provider arrangements
  • Compliance strategies: Learn how to structure compliance programs to prevent violations, respond to concerns, and mitigate enforcement risk

Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of FCA fundamentals and actionable steps to strengthen their organization’s compliance posture.


12:00-1:15 pm
Lunch and Learn
Limited attendance; pre-registration required. Continuing Education Credits are not available. Interested in sponsoring this event? Sponsor.

1:30-2:30 pm Concurrent Sessions
9. Medicare Enrollment (not repeated)

Jamie Gelfman, McDermott, Will & Emery LLP

 

  • How to furnish healthcare items and services: Overview of licensure requirements
    • Individual providers (e.g., MDs, DMDs, NPs, etc.)
    • Entities (e.g., group practices)
    • Facilities (e.g., ASCs, hospitals)
    • Item- and/or service-specific requirements (e.g., x-ray, DMEPOS, in-office surgery, pharmacy)
  • How to bill for the furnishing of health care items and services: Overview of Medicare and Medicaid enrollment requirements
    • Introduction, including brief overview of essential terminology
    • Medicare initial enrollment requirements
    • Medicaid initial enrollment requirements
  • How to remain eligible to furnish and bill for healthcare-related items and services: Overview of continuing obligations
    • Reporting changes of information
    • Reporting changes of ownership
    • Maintaining compliance with licensure and enrollment standards (e.g., surveys, background screenings, revalidations/renewals, etc.)
  • Case study (incorporating all the items discussed above)

10. Real-Life Legal Ethical Dilemmas Facing Health Care Lawyers

Stephen Lee, Stephen Lee Law

 

  • Session details will be available soon

11. Hospital Medical Staffs: Fundamentals, Trends, and Emerging Issues

Brian C. Betner, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC

 

  • Purpose and role of organized medical staffs within health systems and hospitals
  • Applicable statutes, regulations, and accreditation requirements for hospital medical staffs
  • Underlying legal, business, and operational issues for hospital medical staffs
  • Emerging issues and areas of emphasis, including:
    • Medical Staff/employed physician considerations
    • Integrating non-physician Advanced Practice Professionals
    • Peer review and Information sharing
    • Evolving role of Medical Staffs on quality
    • Trends in Medical Staff governance and oversight
    • Drafting tips and sample language for medical staff governing documents

2:45-3:45 pm Concurrent Sessions
12. Fundamentals of Behavioral Health (not repeated)

Michaela D. Poizner, Baker Donelson

 

  • Session details will be available soon

13. Much Ado about 501(c)(3): A Shakespearean (-ish) Introduction to Tax-Exempt Health Care Organizations (not repeated)

Jeffrey L. Carmichael, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC

 

This presentation will focus upon the core requirements for health care organizations to qualify for tax exemption under Code Section 501(c)(3), including the mandate to be operated for charitable purposes and the prohibitions against private inurement, substantial lobbying, and political campaigning. We also will cover such adjacent issues as:

  • Distinguishing between public charities and private foundations
  • Preventing improper benefits to third parties
  • Applying the rules governing unrelated business income tax
  • Helping hospitals comply with their obligations under Code Section 501(r)
  • In addition, the discussion will address the increasing scrutiny of hospitals and health care organizations from Congress, the IRS, the media, and others–with attention to new 2025 proposed or adopted legislation, regulations, and administrative action modifying the tax-exemption standards

11. Hospital Medical Staffs: Fundamentals, Trends, and Emerging Issues (repeat)

Brian C. Betner, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC

 

  • Purpose and role of organized medical staffs within health systems and hospitals
  • Applicable statutes, regulations, and accreditation requirements for hospital medical staffs
  • Underlying legal, business, and operational issues for hospital medical staffs
  • Emerging issues and areas of emphasis, including:
    • Medical Staff/employed physician considerations
    • Integrating non-physician Advanced Practice Professionals
    • Peer review and Information sharing
    • Evolving role of Medical Staffs on quality
    • Trends in Medical Staff governance and oversight
    • Drafting tips and sample language for medical staff governing documents

4:00-5:15 pm Extended Concurrent Sessions
14. Fundamentals of Health Insurance and Managed Care (not repeated)

David E. Kopans, DLA Piper

 

  • Session details will be available soon

15. Key Legal Considerations to Crafting Physician Engagement Agreements

Catarina Colon, Husch Blackwell
Jasmine Gonzalez, Polsinelli PC

 

  • Session details will be available soon

16. Telehealth, Digital Health, and AI Fundamentals

Vanessa K. Burrows, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Carolyn V. Metnick, SheppardMullin
Julia Michael, Senior Managing Counsel, Kaiser

 

  • Session details will be available soon

5:15-6:15 pm
Networking Mixer
This event is included in the registration fee. Attendees, speakers, and registered guests are welcome. Interested in sponsoring this event? Sponsor

5:30-9:30 pm
Networking Dinner, Hosted by the Early Career Professionals Council (ECPC)
This is not included in the conference registration and pre-registration is required

 
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Tuesday, November 4, 2025


7:00 am-4:30 pm
Conference Attendee Assistance

7:00-8:00 am
Conference Breakfast
This event is included in the conference registration fee. Attendees, speakers, and registered guests are welcome. Interested in sponsoring this event? Sponsor

8:00-11:30 am General Session
8:00-9:00 am
17. Medicaid Fundamentals: The Safety Net In the Crosshairs

Felicia Y. Sze, Athene Law LLP
Jeff J. Wurzburg, Norton Rose Fulbright

 

  • An overview of the Medicaid program and its program objectives
  • Medicaid financing and governance
  • Medicaid fee-for-service and Medicaid managed care
  • The common “bones” of Medicaid programs and how they differ
  • Recent changes in Medicaid through Congressional, agency, and judicial actions
  • How to research Medicaid issues

9:15-10:15 am
18. Health Equity

Michelle Garvey Brennfleck, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Ashley L. Keith, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Akron School of Law
April Schweitzer, General Counsel, Gateway Foundation

 

This session is being proposed as the general session on health equity. It will include 15 minutes of upfront lecture to level-set on definitions and existing actions, followed by a fireside chat with attorneys in the field that have focused on health equity efforts throughout their careers. Speakers will share the following:

  • A framework for health, health equity, and health justice; the role of social and structural drivers of health
  • Current initiatives to advance health equity
  • The impact of law and policy on health equity
  • Collaboration and the roles of physicians and other health care professionals, hospitals/ health systems, and payors
  • Concrete action steps for the legal community

10:15-11:30 am
19. Fundamentals of Health Care Transactions: Counsel Conversations and Case Study Perspectives

Jennifer C. Hutchens, Dechert
Thomas Spellman, Associate GC, VP, Fresenius Medical Care

 

  • Different types of transaction structure for a health care deal (e.g., asset purchase versus stock purchase or merger)
  • A framework for approaching due diligence in a health care transaction
  • Regulatory and legal issues common to health care transactions (e.g., federal Anti-Kickback and Stark Laws; anti-trust issues; and tax-exempt issues)
  • The importance of the concepts of “fair market value” and “commercial reasonableness” to a health care transaction
  • Apply these strategies to a case study (physician-hospital integration), sample letter of intent, and sample due diligence checklist to understand how various factual scenarios could affect the transaction and to highlight diligence and transactional considerations

11:45 am-12:45 pm Concurrent Sessions
20. Introduction to Long Term and Post-Acute Care (not repeated)

 

  • Session details will be available soon

21. Antitrust in Health Care Transactions and Collaborations

Lindsey Bohl, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Karen Hunt, Deputy Assistant Director, Federal Trade Commission, Mergers IV Division
Sarah Wohl, Senior Antitrust Counsel, Genentech

 

Panelists including both former and current Federal Trade Commission staff and managers from Mergers I and Mergers IV division, in-house counsel, and private practitioner active in health care M&A antitrust, will discuss antitrust considerations in the context of health care merger review and collaborations, including:

  • Background on the applicable antitrust laws and substantive framework
  • Federal and state enforcement agency trends such as merger guidelines, recent enforcement actions, and state notification requirements
  • Key practical considerations when counseling on health care transactions or collaborations

22. All Eyes on Compliance: Designing an Effective Compliance Program in Today's Enforcement Environment

Chris Bennington, Corporate Counsel, TriHealth Baldwin
Laura Ellis, Senior Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services
Trent Stechschulte, I Am Boundless

 

  • Compliance Program design and implementation considerations
  • The Government's focus on Compliance Program effectiveness
  • The Board's role in compliance
  • Distinguishing the role of Legal and Compliance in compliance matters

12:45-1:45 pm
Lunch on your own

2:00-3:15 pm Extended Concurrent Sessions
23. Corporate Practice of Medicine (not repeated)

Daniel L. Fahey, Epstein Becker & Green PC

 

  • Corporate Practice of Medicine Overview
  • Friendly PC Model Overview
  • Types of Agreements
  • Case Study (California and North Carolina)

15. Key Legal Considerations to Crafting Physician Engagement Agreements (repeat)

Catarina Colon, Husch Blackwell
Jasmine Gonzalez, Polsinelli PC

 

  • Session details will be available soon

16. Telehealth, Digital Health, and AI Fundamentals

Vanessa K. Burrows, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Carolyn V. Metnick, SheppardMullin
Julia Michael, Senior Managing Counsel, Kaiser

 

  • Session details will be available soon

3:30-4:30 pm Concurrent Sessions
10. Real-Life Legal Ethical Dilemmas Facing Health Care Lawyers (repeat)

Stephen Lee, Stephen Lee Law

 

  • Session details will be available soon

21. Antitrust in Health Care Transactions and Collaborations (repeat)

Lindsey Bohl, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Karen Hunt, Deputy Assistant Director, Federal Trade Commission, Mergers IV Division
Sarah Wohl, Senior Antitrust Counsel, Genentech

 

Panelists including both former and current Federal Trade Commission staff and managers from Mergers I and Mergers IV division, in-house counsel, and private practitioner active in health care M&A antitrust, will discuss antitrust considerations in the context of health care merger review and collaborations, including:

  • Background on the applicable antitrust laws and substantive framework
  • Federal and state enforcement agency trends such as merger guidelines, recent enforcement actions, and state notification requirements
  • Key practical considerations when counseling on health care transactions or collaborations

22. All Eyes on Compliance: Designing an Effective Compliance Program in Today's Enforcement Environment (repeat)

Chris Bennington, Corporate Counsel, TriHealth Baldwin
Laura Ellis, Senior Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services
Trent Stechschulte, I Am Boundless

 

  • Compliance Program design and implementation considerations
  • The Government's focus on Compliance Program effectiveness
  • The Board's role in compliance
  • Distinguishing the role of Legal and Compliance in compliance matters

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Why Choose In-Person Attendance?

  • Networking Opportunities: Chance ballroom conversations, shared meals, and informal meetups, building trust and rapport, engage directly with presenters during and after sessions.
  • Deeper Learning and Focus: Fewer distractions mean better focus and retention of information. In-person Q&A, breakout sessions, and breakout groups encourage hands-on learning and participation.
  • Professional Presence and Visibility: Mingle with peers from across the country - legal experts, compliance officers, in-house counsel, and industry professionals. Meet people you may have only talked with over the phone or on Zoom. In-person interaction with vendors and demos of new products or services.
  • On-Demand Content Access: Maximize your learning investment with comprehensive post-conference resources. Complete session recordings available immediately after the conference. Downloadable presentation materials and resources. Self-paced review capabilities to reinforce key concepts. Extended access period for thorough content absorption. Review complex regulatory guidance and practical strategies at your convenience.

For questions or more information, please email [email protected]

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Thank You to Our Sponsors

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If your organization is interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at this event, please contact Valerie Eshleman.