FAQs
What is the fundamental principle of health care law?
The essence of health care law lies in creating a structured ethical and legal foundation that steers behavior, interactions, obligations and financial accountabilities within the health care system. Lewis Rice’s Health Care attorneys help each client prioritize their specific needs. Rules are constantly changing, which can be challenging in an industry that is highly regulated. By forging a collaborative relationship with our clients, we integrate ourselves into their operations and work to understand their goals.
How do you tailor your support for large and small entities (i.e., hospital vs. small private practice)?
Our approach varies based on the size of the provider we work with. Although smaller providers deal with many of the same issues as large ones, they may require more assistance with business fundamentals such as employment agreements and establishing limited liability companies. By taking on this work, we enable them to concentrate on effectively delivering their services. On the other hand, larger health care providers require more comprehensive services. We often collaborate with many stakeholders throughout these organizations, including CEOs and executive directors as well as in-house legal teams.
Regardless of a client’s size, our objective remains the same: helping them optimize revenue generation while ensuring the best outcomes for their stakeholders and minimizing compliance risks.
What is the biggest challenge health care clients face?
Navigating an abundance of complicated regulations within the health care industry is a significant challenge for entities of all structures and sizes. The regulatory framework is in a constant state of flux, which presents a formidable obstacle for health care professionals working to manage and expand their businesses. Due to Congress’ ongoing efforts to reduce health care expenditures, rising prices, and many other factors, our clients are also under increased pressure to achieve more with fewer resources. This can make it difficult for health care entities—especially smaller providers—to sustain operations. Using decades of experience and industry knowledge, we provide advice to our clients that helps them meet the needs of their patients and stakeholders while also achieving financial success.
What are some examples of comprehensive counsel you have provided to health care organizations?
As a full-service law firm, our health care attorneys often work with other Lewis Rice practice groups to assist with a range of services, including:
- Mergers, acquisitions and divestitures
- Corporate reorganizations and joint ventures
- Vendor and service contracts
- Certificate-of-need issues
- Development of policies and procedures
- Labor and employment issues, including union organizing activities, negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, hirings and firings
- Pension and compensation issues
- Formation of hospital-sponsored and physician-owned single- and multi-specialty physician group practices
- Tax-exempt bond financing
- Environmental issues affecting health care institutions
- Disaster and emergency preparedness
How many health care clients have you worked with over the years?
The Lewis Rice team includes lawyers who have decades of experience in health care law. They have cultivated strong relationships with numerous health care payers and providers, handling hundreds of transactions on their behalf.
Why should I choose Lewis Rice’s Health Care Practice Group?
Our location in St. Louis enables us to offer attractive rates to clients across the country, especially compared to firms in larger cities. Additionally, our clients that include for-profit, non-profit and governmental organizations benefit from working with a full-service law firm that can provide comprehensive services tailored to their unique needs.
