• The recent increase in government investigations and other internal challenges related to hospital–physician alignment and medical staff oversight, emphasizing the necessity for hospitals to actively monitor and ensure compliance with established policies and plans
• Recognize that practices once considered high priority for hospital compliance related to employed and affiliated physicians may have become routine or overlooked, potentially resulting in vulnerabilities that trigger regulatory scrutiny, settlements, or corporate integrity agreements
• Essential components of effective compliance programs and internal policies for hospitals, including initial valuation requirements, compliant transaction structures, consistent monitoring of physician employees and medical staff, annual compliance training, routine compensation assessments, and robust conflict-of-interest, speaker program, meal, and gift policies
• Practical strategies for engaging between inside and outside counsel, compliance officers, administrators, and employed and medical staff physicians in collaborative discussions, aligning compliance efforts with business objectives—such as recruitment and retention—while maintaining vigilant oversight and ensuring ongoing adherence to compliance standards post-agreement

• The organizational structure and function of the NLRB
• The key changes implemented since January 2025
• Potential shifts in legal precedents and enforcement focus expected under the new administration
• The impact of NLRB decisions and enforcement priorities on employers, employees, and unions

• Case Study 1: Why Compliance Matters Beyond HRSA Audits: Examples of arrangements requiring review under general health care laws and regulations, in addition to the 340B Statues
• Case Study 2: System 340B Strategies: Tips on working with consultants, hospital leadership and outside counsel on enrollment and conversions
• Case Study 3: Recent Developments: Maintaining an open line of communication with hospital leadership and pharmacy about recent changes in rebate model guidance and other drug pricing trends"

• The recent increase in government investigations and other internal challenges related to hospital–physician alignment and medical staff oversight, emphasizing the necessity for hospitals to actively monitor and ensure compliance with established policies and plans
• Recognize that practices once considered high priority for hospital compliance related to employed and affiliated physicians may have become routine or overlooked, potentially resulting in vulnerabilities that trigger regulatory scrutiny, settlements, or corporate integrity agreements
• Essential components of effective compliance programs and internal policies for hospitals, including initial valuation requirements, compliant transaction structures, consistent monitoring of physician employees and medical staff, annual compliance training, routine compensation assessments, and robust conflict-of-interest, speaker program, meal, and gift policies
• Practical strategies for engaging between inside and outside counsel, compliance officers, administrators, and employed and medical staff physicians in collaborative discussions, aligning compliance efforts with business objectives—such as recruitment and retention—while maintaining vigilant oversight and ensuring ongoing adherence to compliance standards post-agreement

Physician compensation arrangements are a focal point for compliance risk, especially in today's heightened regulatory environment. This session will provide practical, legally sound strategies for conducting both internal and external fair market value (FMV) reviews, and for structuring compliant professional service agreements, medical directorship agreements, and other physician compensation models. Using real-world examples, the session will explore how academic medical centers (AMCs), hospitals, and physician groups can proactively identify and address risk while preserving operational flexibility and physician engagement.

• Conducting Effective FMV Reviews–Step-by-step process for internal self-assessments versus engaging an external valuation firm, and when each is appropriate. We will also discuss hybrid approaches, including use of both self-assessment and external review during the same review to reduce cost while maintaining independent, third-party involvement
• Navigating Legal and Regulatory Risks–Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, IRS rules, and state laws considerations when structuring physician compensation arrangements, including review of relevant case law
• Reviewing Professional Service Agreements (PSAs)–Common pitfalls, red flags, and negotiation points from the institutional and physician perspectives
• Medical Directorship Agreements–Ensuring duties are clearly defined, compensation is supportable, and documentation is audit-ready
• Beyond Salary: Incentives and Productivity Models–Structuring quality-based and productivity incentives to withstand legal and FMV scrutiny
• Practical Compliance Tips–Policies, documentation practices, and board/committee oversight strategies to support defensibility in compensation arrangements

In-house counsel are often the gatekeepers at preventing, discouraging, investigating and disclosing corporate misconduct. This session will utilize a fact pattern scenario involving alleged violations of the Stark law and False Claims Act to examine an attorney's role in preventing, discouraging, investigating and disclosing corporate misconduct and the potential attorney ethics rules that are implicated in this role. We will examine multiple professional rules of Conduct, including:

• ABA Model Rule 1.13–Organization as Client
• ABA Model Rule 1.16–Declining or Terminating Representation
• ABA Model Rule 1.6–Confidentiality
• Counsel "going up the ladder" when the client ignores the advice
• Options for counsel when the client refuses to follow legal advice

• The organizational structure and function of the NLRB
• The key changes implemented since January 2025
• Potential shifts in legal precedents and enforcement focus expected under the new administration
• The impact of NLRB decisions and enforcement priorities on employers, employees, and unions

• The value-based enterprise framework in the context the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute and how it has been leveraged by various health care organizations
• Work through 3-4 real world examples of VBEs and evaluate related successes, challenges, compliance and other considerations
• Focus and practical issues in meeting applicable Stark Law exceptions and Anti-Kickback Statute safe harbors, and other regulations
• Best practices for pursuing and implementing VBEs based on lessons learned
• The role of VBEs in the future, particularly in light of financial headwinds and other market dynamics

• Case Study 1: Why Compliance Matters Beyond HRSA Audits: Examples of arrangements requiring review under general health care laws and regulations, in addition to the 340B Statues
• Case Study 2: System 340B Strategies: Tips on working with consultants, hospital leadership and outside counsel on enrollment and conversions
• Case Study 3: Recent Developments: Maintaining an open line of communication with hospital leadership and pharmacy about recent changes in rebate model guidance and other drug pricing trends"

In-house counsel are often the gatekeepers at preventing, discouraging, investigating and disclosing corporate misconduct. This session will utilize a fact pattern scenario involving alleged violations of the Stark law and False Claims Act to examine an attorney's role in preventing, discouraging, investigating and disclosing corporate misconduct and the potential attorney ethics rules that are implicated in this role. We will examine multiple professional rules of Conduct, including:

• ABA Model Rule 1.13–Organization as Client
• ABA Model Rule 1.16–Declining or Terminating Representation
• ABA Model Rule 1.6–Confidentiality
• Counsel "going up the ladder" when the client ignores the advice
• Options for counsel when the client refuses to follow legal advice