Legal Counsel for Healthcare Providers Across North Texas
Healthcare providers operate in one of the most regulated industries in the country. Compliance requirements, contracting obligations, regulatory oversight, and employment issues all create legal exposure that can disrupt a practice or system if not handled correctly. Hanshaw Kennedy Hafen has represented healthcare providers, physician groups, and medical practices across North Texas for over 20 years, providing the kind of practical, experienced counsel that keeps operations running and problems contained.
Our attorneys understand both the business and regulatory sides of healthcare. Whether you need contracts drafted, help navigating a board complaint, representation before a state or federal regulator, or experienced litigation counsel when a dispute escalates, we have handled it before and we know what it takes to get a good outcome.
We serve healthcare clients across Dallas, Collin, and Denton Counties from our office in Frisco. If your practice or organization is facing a legal matter, contact us to schedule a consultation.
Healthcare Law Services We Provide
Our attorneys advise and represent healthcare clients across a broad range of legal matters, including:
- HIPAA compliance and privacy matters
- Stark Law and anti-kickback compliance
- Healthcare industry contract drafting, review, and negotiation
- Enforcement of non-competition agreements on behalf of healthcare organizations
- Defense of non-competition claims on behalf of physicians
- Home health care litigation
- Representation before state and federal regulators
- Development and review of compliance programs, policies, and procedures
- Litigation involving healthcare industry contracts and agreements
- Response to subpoenas from law enforcement or private parties for patient records
- Board complaints and medical board proceedings
- Patient complaint response and management
- Day-to-day operational counsel for medical offices and practices
Practice Areas
Contact
1415 Legacy Drive,
Suite 350 Frisco, TX 75034
972-731-6500
info@hanshawkennedy.com
Why Healthcare Providers Need Specialized Legal Counsel
Healthcare law sits at the intersection of federal regulation, state licensing requirements, employment law, and commercial contract law. A compliance issue that seems minor can trigger a federal investigation. A poorly drafted physician employment agreement can result in costly non-compete litigation. A contract dispute with a payer or vendor can escalate quickly if not handled by someone who understands how healthcare organizations operate.
General business attorneys can handle some of these matters, but healthcare providers benefit from working with attorneys who already understand the regulatory landscape, know how regulators and boards operate, and have handled the specific types of disputes that come up in this industry. That experience shortens the learning curve and reduces the risk of missteps that can make a difficult situation worse.
HKH has represented healthcare clients ranging from individual physicians to multi-provider groups and healthcare systems. We bring that depth of experience to every engagement.
Healthcare Law FAQs
What does a healthcare law attorney do
A healthcare law attorney advises and represents medical providers, practices, and organizations on the legal issues specific to operating in a regulated healthcare environment. That includes regulatory compliance, contract drafting and negotiation, employment matters, board proceedings, and litigation when disputes arise. The goal is to keep the practice or organization out of legal trouble and to handle problems effectively when they occur.
What is Stark Law and does it apply to my practice?
The Stark Law is a federal statute that prohibits physician self-referral for certain Medicare and Medicaid designated health services. It applies broadly to physician practices and healthcare organizations that participate in federal healthcare programs. Violations can result in significant civil penalties and exclusion from federal programs. An attorney with healthcare law experience can help you assess whether your referral arrangements and compensation structures are compliant.
How does HIPAA affect my practice from a legal standpoint?
HIPAA establishes federal standards for the protection of patient health information and carries significant penalties for violations. From a legal standpoint, practices need to have compliant privacy policies, business associate agreements with vendors who handle patient data, and proper procedures for responding to breaches and patient record requests. An attorney can review your current compliance posture and help you address gaps before they become enforcement issues.
What should I do if I receive a subpoena for patient records?
Do not respond without first consulting an attorney. Subpoenas for patient records involve competing obligations between legal compliance and patient privacy rights under HIPAA and Texas law. An attorney can review the subpoena, assess whether it is properly issued, determine what protections apply, and guide your response in a way that satisfies the legal requirement without unnecessarily compromising patient privacy.
Does HKH represent individual physicians or only larger healthcare organizations?
We represent both. Our healthcare law clients include individual physicians, small and mid-size physician groups, specialty practices, and larger healthcare organizations. The legal issues vary by size and structure, but the need for experienced, practical counsel is consistent across all of them.
For employment contract matters specific to healthcare providers, see our Employment Contracts page.
Is your practice facing a legal matter?
We advise healthcare providers across Dallas, Collin, and Denton Counties. Call 972-731-6500 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.