HEALTH CARE LAW

Watkins & Associates have extensive experience in all aspects of health care regulation, and represents hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, home health agencies, rural health clinics, durable medical equipment providers, doctors, nurses, nursing home administrators and other allied health professionals in their interactions with state and federal regulators. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Watkins has devoted a substantial amount of his time assisting applicants obtain certificate of need approval for various types of health care projects in Florida. In addition, the firm also represents existing health care providers seeking to oppose the introduction of unneeded facilities and programs within their service areas.

With the renewed emphasis on federal compliance programs, the firm is increasingly involved in representing health care providers in matters regarding the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In the past, this representation has included challenges to Medicare payment denials as well as enforcement action, including defending against civil monetary penalties and other sanctions for alleged violations.

The firm has also represented individual licensees who have been the subject of disciplinary proceedings before the Florida Department of Children and Families and the various licensing boards of the state.

Mr. Watkins in one of the few attorneys in the state with experience litigating Medicaid claims denials before the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. He is a frequent lecturer on Florida's Medicaid program. The firm has experience representing hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians who have been denied payment for services rendered to Medicaid patients and defending against Medicaid recoupment claims.