For the second year in a row, DSR Health Law counsel, David P. McDonough, will proudly serve as Co-Chair for the Health Care Law Section of the Sacramento County Bar Association.  David’s focus on health care law in his daily practice will serve the Section well as he continues his role as Co-Chair.

To check out details of upcoming SCBA Health Care Law Section events, join or renew membership, click on the image below.

Elizabeth G. Stone will present at an American Health Lawyers Association (“AHLA”) webinar on October 15, 2018 (11:00am-12:30pm PST; 2:00-3:30pm EST).  Also presenting at the AHLA webinar will be April Alexander, Assistant Vice President of State Affairs, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association; and Carl Gardner, Assistant General Counsel, Molina Healthcare, Inc. CLE credit is offered.

This session will provide a high-level discussion of the players and relationships behind delivering prescription drug benefits to health plan members, as seen from the perspective of a health plan and a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM).  The speakers will discuss the contractual relationships between plans, subscribers, PBMs, manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacies; the regulatory environments experienced by these entities; contributors to the high cost of prescription drugs; health plan-PBM compensation arrangements and contracting best practices; and the changing legal landscape and marketplace.

Register below for “The Delivery of Prescription Drug Benefits to Health Plan Members: A Primer and Look Ahead.”

Michael J. Daponde and Megan A. Rowe, shareholders of DSR Health Law, were named 2018 Super Lawyers in the Health Care arena for the sixth and fifth year in a row, respectively.  Mr. Daponde was also selected as a top 25 Super Lawyer in Sacramento for the second year in a row, and as a Northern California top 100 Super Lawyer for 2018.  Likewise, Ms. Rowe stands out as one of the 2018 Super Lawyers top Women Attorneys in Northern California, and was a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2009-2013.  Anthony R. Eaton, DSR’s newest attorney, was named a 2018 Super Lawyer in the field of Business Litigation.

Super Lawyers is a nationally renowned rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. After a rigorous nomination and review process, only five percent of nominated attorneys are selected as Super Lawyers.  DSR Health Law is proud that Super Lawyers has consistently recognized the achievements of its attorneys over the years.  DSR’s attorneys look forward to continuing their tradition of excellence in service to their clients for years to come.

Anthony is an experienced complex litigation attorney who has represented health plans in disputes with both providers and governmental agencies. As a litigator, Anthony has advised businesses, corporations, and health plans in areas including contract disputes, regulatory compliance, and tort liability. Anthony also represents his clients in state and federal courts. Anthony has a well-rounded background in every aspect of civil litigation and arbitration, from the initial pleading or demand, through discovery, law and motion practice, settlement negotiation, trial, and appeal.

Alec is an insurance and health care regulatory compliance attorney with years of experience at both the Department of Insurance and the Department of Managed Health Care, as well as a private insurance company.  He is joining DSR’s licensing and regulatory compliance practice.  At the Department of Managed Health Care, Alec was counsel for the Licensing Division’s Government Plans subdivision where he reviewed license applications, amendments, and material modifications, including mergers, service area expansions, provider agreements, and network accessibility requirements.  As in-house counsel for an insurance company, Alec led many successful regulatory filings and was involved with obtaining certificates of authorities in several states.  He also worked closely with the Operations, Actuarial, and Marketing departments to develop and maintain compliant policies and procedures.

Megan A. Rowe has been appointed Chair of the Litigation Section’s Executive Committee of the State Bar of California.  The Litigation Section is the largest Section of the State Bar and has over 8,500 members.  The Litigation Section’s activities include presenting educational programs, providing practical tips on core litigation skills and providing publications with relevant articles and case law updates.

Ms. Rowe’s term began in September 2017 and she assisted with the planning of the Section’s Inaugural Litigation Summit that took place in San Francisco on October 13, 2017.  The Litigation Summit was a trial program that covered cutting edge and compelling litigation topics.  Ms. Rowe had the opportunity to co-interview Chief Justice of California Tani Cantil-Sakauye during the keynote luncheon.  She also had the honor of inducting Lawrence E. Wayte with McCormick Barstow into the Litigation Section’s Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame.  This is a lifetime achievement award given to trial lawyers who have excelled in their careers.

In addition to serving as the Chair of the Litigation Section, Ms. Rowe is one of many volunteers assisting in planning a new statewide bar association.  As of January 1, 2018, the 16 Sections (including the Litigation Section) and the California Young Lawyers Association will leave the State Bar of California and become a separate non-profit association called the “California Lawyers Association.”

Elizabeth G. Stone recently joined DSR, PC.  Elizabeth is a health care and corporate transactions attorney with significant experience in contract drafting and negotiation.  Her areas of expertise include health care contracting; health insurer/managed care laws; government-sponsored health care programs, including Medicaid and Medicare; HIPAA and state privacy laws; contract audits; corporate transactions, including entity formations, acquisitions, and dissolutions; and nonprofit/tax-exempt entity compliance.  She has experience drafting and negotiating a variety of business and health care contracts, including payer/provider agreements, administrative services agreements, delegation agreements, pharmacy benefit management (PBM) agreements, pharmacy services agreements (including specialty pharmacy), vendor contracts, consulting agreements, non-disclosure agreements, software agreements, and purchase agreements.  She also advises on RFPs, contract implementations, day-to-day operations, disputes, and terminations.