Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

The Patient Care Ombudsman: Controlling Costs

By Martin G. Bunin and Nadjia I. Bailey
December 20, 2010

The 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (“BAPCPA”) gave patients of insolvent health care facilities a clear voice in bankruptcy proceedings by creating a new role in bankruptcy cases ' the Patient Care Ombudsman (“PCO”). Bankruptcy Code ' 333 requires bankruptcy courts to appoint a PCO “to monitor the quality of patient care and to represent the interests of the patients,” which may include interviewing patients and physicians, conducting on-site inspections, monitoring services provided and reviewing patient records. See 11 U.S.C. ' 333(b). Every 60 days following appointment, the PCO is required to report its findings to the court in writing or at a hearing. Importantly, the PCO is also required to warn the court immediately if patient care significantly declines or is materially compromised in any way.

The appointment of the PCO, which must occur within 30 days of a Chapter 7, 9 or 11 bankruptcy petition date, is mandatory in all cases involving health care facilities, unless “the court finds that the appointment of such ombudsman is not necessary for the protection of patients under the specific facts of the case.” 11 U.S.C. ' 333(a)(1) (emphasis added).

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Why So Many Great Lawyers Stink at Business Development and What Law Firms Are Doing About It Image

Why is it that those who are best skilled at advocating for others are ill-equipped at advocating for their own skills and what to do about it?

Bankruptcy Sales: Finding a Diamond In the Rough Image

There is no efficient market for the sale of bankruptcy assets. Inefficient markets yield a transactional drag, potentially dampening the ability of debtors and trustees to maximize value for creditors. This article identifies ways in which investors may more easily discover bankruptcy asset sales.

The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

A Lawyer's System for Active Reading Image

Active reading comprises many daily tasks lawyers engage in, including highlighting, annotating, note taking, comparing and searching texts. It demands more than flipping or turning pages.

Blockchain Domains: New Developments for Brand Owners Image

Blockchain domain names offer decentralized alternatives to traditional DNS-based domain names, promising enhanced security, privacy and censorship resistance. However, these benefits come with significant challenges, particularly for brand owners seeking to protect their trademarks in these new digital spaces.