The healthcare profession offers endless opportunities to the human race and is a profession that will always continue to serve its people. This month, we speak with Ayesha Mehdi, who is a Principal Attorney representing physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals, along with various healthcare and closely held businesses in connection with healthcare matters. She discusses where she sees the healthcare profession progressing in the next few years, and the challenges her and her clients have overcome.
Healthcare practitioners are subject to scrutiny, so how do you determine which cases you decide to take on?
I focus my transactional practice on representing practitioners, along with various healthcare businesses in connection with corporate, transnational and healthcare matters. I take on matters pertaining to: corporate practice and structure; fraud and abuse, such as the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Physician Self-Referral Law, the Exclusion Authorities, and the Civil Monetary Penalties Law; health information privacy and security (HIPAA and HITECH Act), and healthcare reimbursement and collections.
You advise your clients on several matters, which rights and regulations are they often unaware about?
Since my clients are sophisticated professionals, they are generally aware of their obligations and restrictions under the law, and seek counsel on specific issues within the myriad of laws and regulations applicable to them.
As Thought Leader, can you share the most challenging case you have dealt with and how you overcame the challenge that was presented?
Thank you for considering me as a Thought Leader! Given the strict criminal and civil penalties, the stakes are very high in healthcare. My most challenging matter to date has been with the representation of multiple physicians, as well as a hospital, in a joint venture deal with a global management company.
I overcame the challenge by further educating myself on the issues to be able to think through the complexities and nuances, and understanding the big picture, as well as the details. I also sought advice from more experienced healthcare attorneys to think through alternative paths to goals.
How are you hoping to see the healthcare profession progress in the next few years? Are there any changes in regulations that are rumoured to happen, to which you are apprehensive about?
Healthcare is one of the most interesting, dynamic and clamorous industries in the United States. Therefore, uncertainty, along with opportunity, are likely to continue in 2017 and beyond. Apprehension stems from the shortage of healthcare practitioners, as well as the largest factors affecting costs and reimbursement, such as: MACRA implementation, Medicaid reimbursement, shifting payment models and drug pricing.
What was your main motivation behind specialising in healthcare law?
The specialisation theory which was devised by Adam Smith, the father of economics stated, in essence: the more specialised we are in a certain field, the more value we bring to society.
I have a strong interest in business and economics, and given the meaningful nature of healthcare, I have been interested in healthcare entrepreneurship since I was a business major in college.
Along with my juris doctorate degree, and training with some of the top healthcare firms in the country, I went on to pursue a graduate degree in health services administration. I have successfully managed an oncology practice, and to stay on top of healthcare laws, as an active member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the Health Care Compliance Association, the American Bar Association's health and business law sections, and the State Bar of Nevada's insurance and health law section.
How do you deal with clients differently, depending on if they are hospitals, physicians or small health care owners?
The differences among clients arise from their levels of experience in the business of healthcare, as well as their resources. Regardless, I deal with all my clients as a professional focused on delivering outstanding service and helping them achieve their goals.
Anything you would like to add?
I can't stress enough on the importance of effective communication with clients. In the words of George Bernard Shaw:
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
I have found that clear, concise and empathetic counsel is key to a fulfilling and thriving legal practice.
Ayesha Mehdi
Principal Attorney
www.frontierhealthlaw.com
I am the Principal Attorney at Frontier Health Law, a boutique healthcare law firm based in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am on the Board of Governors at the University of Kansas School of Law, and have taught health law at the University of Nevada Las Vegas Department of Health and Policy, for two years.
Frontier Health Law exclusively represents health care providers and entities in Nevada, and throughout the United States, as permitted by law. Our sole focus on health care law allows us to be well-versed in many of the common issues and concerns pertaining to the health care industry. Our experience, diversity, and understanding of the health care industry makes us unique in our ability to effectively and efficiently serve our clients. We know health care. And that’s the Frontier Edge.
