Overview
Laura helps healthcare industry clients navigate the complex universe of regulations applicable to their operations.
Laura is a healthcare regulatory attorney focusing on healthcare fraud and abuse and compliance. She has substantial experience in both the private and public sectors with laws including the Federal physician self-referral law (or “Stark Law”), Federal anti-kickback statute (AKS), Civil Monetary Penalties Laws, False Claims Act, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement issues. She advises healthcare industry clients regarding financial arrangements with physicians and other referral sources, regulatory components of transactions, compliance program operations, internal investigations, and self-disclosures.
Prior to rejoining the Firm in 2025, Laura was a Senior Counsel in the Industry Guidance Branch of the Office of Counsel to the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG). Laura was previously with Dorsey from 2016–2022 and worked in the health group of another national law firm before that time.
Laura frequently writes and speaks about healthcare fraud and abuse and compliance topics. She currently serves on the American Health Law Association (AHLA) Fraud and Abuse Practice Group Leadership Team.
Experience
Representative Work
HHS-OIG Industry Guidance Branch Experience
- Reviewed and analyzed HHS-OIG advisory opinion requests and published advisory opinions.
- Participated in the team that is updating HHS-OIG’s compliance program guidance and co-authored the Nursing Facility Industry Segment-Specific Compliance Program Guidance.
- Developed and promoted OIG policies and guidance regarding the AKS.
- Advised government officials on the application of the Federal fraud and abuse laws.
- Responded to questions from industry representatives regarding compliance with the Federal fraud and abuse laws.
Private Practice Experience
- Identified violations of the Stark Law by target entities during due diligence and advised regarding self-disclosure of such violations to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
- Developed compliance monitoring and auditing tools for referral source lease agreements for multi-state client operations to ensure such agreements comply with the Stark Law and AKS; trained client personnel in use of the tools.
- Negotiated a settlement with HHS-OIG resulting from a self-disclosure of physician compensation arrangements potentially implicating the Stark Law and AKS.
- Represented client in multi-year qui tam litigation regarding physician compensation arrangements potentially implicating the Stark Law and Medicare billing matters, resulting in a settlement with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
- Assisted client with successfully obtaining grant of asylum in the United States.
News & Resources
Articles
News & Press Mentions
Events & Speaking Engagements
Legal Writings
- Co-Author, Nursing Facility Industry Segment-Specific Compliance Program Guidance (November 2024)
- Co-Author, Stark Law Toolkit (2022 update), American Health Law Association Fraud and Abuse Practice Group (January 21, 2022)
- Contributor, The Stark Law Explained: A Comprehensive Guide for the Health Care Industry, Attorneys and Compliance Professionals (Daniel H. Melvin II et. al, McDermott Will & Emery, 2016)
- Author, The Sunshine Act: Shedding Light on Reporting Requirements, 2013 HEALTH CARE L. MONTHLY 8 (2013)
- Author, Health Information Technology and Patient Safety: Proceed with Caution, in THE PATIENT SAFETY HANDBOOK, SECOND EDITION (Barbara Youngberg ed., 2012)
- Author, The Independent Payment Advisory Board: Will it Effectively Curb the Medicare Growth Rate?, 20 ANNALS HEALTH L. ADVANCE DIRECTIVE 124 (2011)
- Co-Author, 2010 Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys Annual Health Law Survey
Select Presentations
- OIG Compliance Program Guidance: Nursing Facility ICPG, Health Care Compliance Association (“HCCA”) Healthcare Enforcement Compliance Conference (November 20, 2024)
- Presenter, OIG General Compliance Program Guidance, HCCA Minneapolis Regional Healthcare Compliance Conference (September 13, 2024)
- Advisory Opinion Process: A Discussion with Current and Former Government Officials Regarding the CMS and OIG Advisory Opinion Processes, AHLA Webinar (November 9, 2023)
- Governance Webinar Series—Fraud and Abuse, Iowa Hospital Association Webinar (July 12, 2022)
- Fraud and Abuse Bootcamp, Part I: The Stark Law (American Health Law Association, April 20, 2022)
- The Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care (Minnesota CLE, January 12, 2021)
- Sweeping Changes to the Stark and Anti-Kickback Regulations: Final Rules for Hospitals (Iowa Hospital Association, January 5, 2021)
- Iowa Hospital Association 2020 Governance Forum – Regulatory Sprint to Coordinated Care (December 8, 2020)
- Iowa Hospital Association Governance Webinar Series – Fraud and Abuse (2020)
Industries & Practices
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceGovernment Solutions & Investigations
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceHealthcare Transactions & Regulations
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Government Solutions & Investigations
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Healthcare Transactions & Regulations
Professional & Civic
Professional Achievements
- American Health Law Association (AHLA) member (2010 to present)
- Fraud and Abuse Practice Group Leadership Team, Vice Chair of Membership (2023–present)
- Leadership Development Program Participant – Fraud & Abuse Practice Group (2020–2021)
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) Health Law Section member (2016 to present)
- Health Law Section Council Member (2020–2022)
- Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys member (2010–2016)
