Jennifer M. Vaughan

Overview

Jennifer Vaughan knows healthcare transactional and compliance issues through-and-through. Whether hospitals, healthcare systems, physician practices, provider networks, accountable care organizations, or any of the myriad other organizations that make up the American healthcare landscape, Jennifer is there to help them thrive. She has seen her healthcare clients through all manner of change, including mergers, joint ventures, asset dispositions, affiliations, and regulatory and reimbursement changes. Her strong orientation to the business of healthcare allows her to provide deeply insightful counsel to clients.

Corporate strategies in healthcare raise unique issues. Jennifer has deep understanding of the intricacies involved when healthcare institutions explore new integrated delivery strategies. Stark Law, HIPAA, Medicare fraud: Jennifer is well-versed in all of the compliance and diligence areas healthcare clients must consider when partnering with others in the industry.

Jennifer is entirely focused on helping her clients complete their deals and grow their businesses. Her experience in the complex and rapidly-changing world of healthcare helps her clients identify new opportunities and efficiently close transactions. With a proactive style of communication and focus on business outcomes, Jennifer has a unique ability to help her clients navigate the uncertain waters of the healthcare industry.

Experience

Advised providers regarding COVID-19 regulatory issues, including federal and state waivers, telehealth and reimbursement issues as well as CARES Act funding.
Represented a tax exempt physician practice with the highest patient volume in the country in its subspecialty with respect to federal and state regulatory approvals, compliance and joint venture/affiliations.
Developed and executed an acquisition regulation and legislation strategy for Northeast Georgia Health System related to acquisition of assets of Chestatee Regional Medical Center and subsequent sale and lease back to Georgia Board of Regents (the State University System).Counseled Business Associates and entities working with regulated providers on HIPAA Privacy, Transactions and Security Standards as well as HITECH implementation.
Advised hospitals, physicians, nursing homes, health plans and other covered entities regarding compliance issues for more than 20 years.
Provide due diligence compliance and regulatory support to healthcare lending clients.
Advise clients regarding potential breaches, including analysis of reporting requirements.
Represented client with respect to acquisition of interest in a cancer center joint venture.
Represented a medical center in connection with significant identity theft data breach caused by an employee of an outside vendor. We assisted the client with the internal investigation and coordination with cyber insurance carrier and its counsel with respect to reporting credit monitoring and indemnification.
Performed investigations and analysis of potential breaches of confidential information to advise regulated entities.

Prepared policies and conducted training for covered entities across the country to comply with HIPAA Privacy Rule.
Prepared policies and counsel clients with respect to Information Blocking Rules.
Assist clients in connection with acquisitions and other related transactions with respect to due diligence related to HIPAA and other privacy and data security issues.
Development of Business Associate Agreement forms and assistance with negotiation and evaluation of these agreements.
Assisted a medical center with the development of their business associate audit guidelines and implementation of Data Privacy/Security Preparedness Assessment form in order to assess vendors.
Advised a medical clinic in connection with the assessment and development of medical records policies with respect to access, access fees and authorization requirements.
Advise leading health information exchange regarding regulatory and operational issues, including HIPAA Privacy and Security compliance

Thought Leadership

Regular contributor: Health Care News Beat, PHR&D Newsletter, 2009-present
Speaker: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), July Membership Meeting and Monthly CLE, The Florida Government Bar Association, July 2021
Webinar: How COVID-19 Is Changing Healthcare -- Three Things Providers Should Know, Georgia Health Information Network and the Georgia Department of Community Health monthly webinar series, April 2020
Speaker: Physician Contracting Issues, Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals & Georgia Rural Health Association Second Annual Medical Fair, August 2013
Speaker: Physician Contracting Issues, Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals & Georgia Rural Health Association Medical Fair, October 2012
Author: Coping with Reality: Maintaining Control Through Restrictive Covenants, Letters of Intent, Rights of First Refusal and Other Contract Provisions, 1997 Health Law Handbook, Gosfield, 1997
Author: Restrictive Covenants - The Ten Commandments and Other Inspired Advice on How to Reach the Promised Land of Enforceability, Sponsored by ICLE and the Corporate and Banking Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, 1996
Author: Keeping an Eye on Physician Recruitment, Daily Report-Health Care Law, March 1993
Author: An Overview of the Certification and Reimbursement Aspects of Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, Georgia Academy of Hospital Attorneys Annual Meeting, 1993

Areas of focus

Healthcare
Corporate & Business Transactions
Healthcare Transactions
Healthcare Regulatory, Reimbursement & Compliance
Privacy & Data Security

Education

University of Georgia School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1991) Editorial Board, 1989-1990 and Managing Board, 1990-1991, Georgia Law Review
Furman University (B.A., 1988)