The federal No Surprises Act was signed into law in December 2020 and becomes effective on January 1, 2022. Although similar state laws exist elsewhere, Wisconsin does not currently have a “surprise billing” law. As a result, many Wisconsin health care providers will need to take steps to ensure they are complying with the requirements […]
Most private health insurance coverage in the United States is employer-sponsored and governed by a federal law known as the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Navigating an appeal of a benefit denial issued by an ERISA-governed health plan can be confusing. A quick review of federal regulations governing ERISA benefit denials, which can […]
Some business insurance policies may provide coverage for a “business interruption” resulting from recent government orders requiring the suspension of business operations. On March 24, 2020, Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued Emergency Order #12, Safer At Home Order, a copy of which can be found here. The Order is […]
On August 25, 2017, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a settlement of a class action lawsuit that alleged Subway’s “footlong” sandwiches failed to measure up. In re Subway Footlong Sandwich Marketing and Sales Practices Litig., 869 F.3d 551 (7th Cir. 2017). The settlement offered “zero benefits for the class” and only served to […]
On January 20, a Wisconsin federal judge ruled in favor of a private telecommunications auditor, Todd Heath, who filed a lawsuit claiming that Wisconsin Bell defrauded the federal E-Rate program by overcharging schools and libraries. The lawsuit was brought under the False Claims Act (FCA), a federal law encouraging whistleblowers to come forward when they […]
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of autism has increased by 6% to 15% annually since 2002, making autism the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States. While this trend may be alarming to young couples having children today, there are also families in our country right now dealing with the confusing […]
Under a federal statute known as the False Claims Act, whistleblowers with knowledge of overcharges or other fraudulent activity directed at the federal government may be entitled to substantial monetary rewards through lawsuits known as qui tam cases. The monetary rewards authorized by the False Claims Act provide those who have valuable information about government […]
