As one of the largest health care practices in the country, Polsinelli attorneys work as a fully integrated practice to seamlessly partner with clients on the whole gamut of issues. We consider it our business to understand the opportunities and challenges that face the health care industry and, more importantly, our clients’ businesses. The firm has built a team that is made up of health care industry experts, including a mix of former in-house counsel at national health care institutions, the FDA, CMS and the Department of Justice.

Recognized as a leader in health care law, Polsinelli Health Care rankings include:

  • National Tier One ranking in Health Care Law by Best Law Firms, 2014-2025
  • Ranked as the 2018 "Law Firm of the Year" in Health Care by U.S. News & World Report for the second time in four years
  • Nationally ranked in Healthcare Law by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, including:
    • Healthcare: The Elite – Nationwide, 2015-2024
    • Privacy & Data Security: Healthcare Nationwide
    • 9 ranked offices
    • 26 ranked attorneys
  • Nationally ranked by the American Health Law Association (AHLA) consistently since 2016, including:
    • Largest health care law firm in the nation by AHLA, 2018, 2021-2022
    • Second-largest health care law firm in the nation by AHLA, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023
  • Ranked as the third-largest health care law firm in the nation by Modern Healthcare, 2022

Health care has experienced more change in the past five years than in the past 50 years combined. Reimbursement models are shifting from fee for service to pay for quality. The line between payors and providers has blurred and, in some cases, disappeared. Telehealth has emerged as a common modality, and data has exploded. For example, the health care industry is generating approximately 30% of the world’s data volume today. Beyond data, health care is one of the biggest forces in the economy today. Health care spending accounted for over 19.7% of US GDP in 2020.

Providers are being asked to keep pace with these changes and meet these challenges within one of the fiercest enforcement environments they have ever faced. Failure to keep up with the barrage of changing regulatory requirements can have catastrophic consequences. The pandemic disrupted FDA rules for medical devices, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, with implications for providers, investors, and device and drug companies.

Not surprisingly, private equity has taken a keen interest in the health care industry and has invested billions of dollars into health care ventures of ever-increasing complexity and higher risk profiles. This evolution has continued despite the emergence of the most significant pandemic in a century. In 2018, the valuation of private equity deals in the U.S. health care sector surpassed $100 billion — a twentyfold increase from 2000. These acquisitions spanned all subsectors, from physician practices to retail health and mobile application companies. Further, private equity investment closely aligns with emerging health care economic drivers, including service areas like behavioral health, home care and technology solutions made available to both consumers and providers.

We represent various clients in the health care industry, including:

  • Hospitals & Health Systems
  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Behavioral Health
  • Rural Health Providers
  • Dialysis
  • Home Health & Hospice
  • Infusion Therapy
  • Laboratories
  • Pharmacies
  • Medical Devices
  • Digital Health & Health Technology Companies
  • Private Equity in Health Care
  • Long Term Care
  • Assisted Living, Memory Care, Senior Housing
Publications
90 Days, 10%: IRS Opens New Easement Settlement Window
Key Takeaways: The IRS has opened a limited settlement window for eligible conservation and historic preservation easement disputes, with a reduced 10% gross valuation misstatement penalty available during the first 90 days. The initiative applies only to partnerships that receive individualized settlement letters from the IRS. The new program offers substantially more favorable terms than the 40% penalty the IRS has frequently pursued in syndicated easement litigation. Partnerships that miss the initial 90-day window may face a higher 20% penalty and less favorable settlement treatment after 135 days. Partnerships, investors and representatives should review any IRS settlement correspondence promptly and evaluate whether participation makes sense under the circumstances. The IRS has announced a new time-limited settlement opportunity for eligible conservation easement and historic preservation
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Federal Scrutiny of State Medicaid Programs and Medicaid Providers Intensifies
Key Takeaways CMS and congressional leaders are increasing oversight of state Medicaid programs through off-cycle revalidation demands, fraud investigations and threats to defer federal Medicaid funding. Recent directives from CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz signal heightened expectations for state enforcement efforts. The increased scrutiny creates operational and financial risks for Medicaid providers, particularly those viewed as high risk or operating in targeted service areas. Medicaid providers should expect closer scrutiny of enrollment, billing and program participation as CMS and Congress increase pressure on states to strengthen Medicaid oversight. Providers should review revalidation procedures, enrollment records and documentation practices to help avoid payment disruptions or compliance issues. The federal government is increasing pressure on state Medicaid agencies to address potential fraud, waste and abuse through
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