Karen S. Lovitch, Practice Leader of the Health Law Practice of Mintz, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., and Dionne Lomax, a Member of the firm’s Antitrust Practice, are presenting at the 33rd Annual Lab Institute 2015 presented by G2 Intelligence. Mintz is a sponsor of the conference taking place October 14-16 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Lomax and Ms. Lovitch’s presentation is entitled, “Antitrust and Other Regulatory Issues Raised by Laboratory Transactions.” In this session, Ms. Lomax and Ms. Lovitch will discuss the various types of transactions laboratories and pathology groups are pursuing in response to the shift from volume-based to value-based reimbursement and other market pressures, with a particular focus on the antitrust implications raised by transactions, including the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) perspective on exclusive service contracts, integrated networks, and other competitive collaborations.  They will also address other regulatory concerns raised, including anti-kickback and self-referral issues and provide useful tips on how to steer clear of regulatory violations. 

As a former Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division Trial Attorney (in the Health Care Task Force Section), Dionne has a unique perspective on how the federal antitrust agencies approach investigations and develop evidence to support potential antitrust claims.  Her antitrust and trade regulation practice includes counseling and representation in connection with merger and non-merger related activities, litigation, and matters before the DOJ and the FTC. She has been involved in antitrust matters spanning a broad range of industries, but has particularly deep experience in the health care industry.  She has represented large health systems, major medical associations, large multi-specialty physician groups, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device manufacturers in connection with mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other commercial arrangements.

Ms. Lovitch’s practice involves counseling health care clients on regulatory, transactional, and operational issues, including Medicare coverage and reimbursement, the development and implementation of health care compliance programs, and licensure and certification matters. In addition, Ms. Lovitch advises clients on the legal, practical, and fraud and abuse implications of business arrangements and sales and marketing practices. Her experience includes matters related to the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law, state statutes prohibiting kickbacks and self-referrals, and the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act.

With over 500 thought leaders and hundreds of critical topics dissected over the past 30 years, Lab Institute remains one of the longest-running healthcare conferences in the nation’s capital. Since 1983, professionals in the healthcare industry, and more specifically the laboratory industry, annually attend what is widely known as the premier learning event that defines market excellence and success. From effectively navigating legislative changes and planning for the future to growing profitability to leveraging emerging technologies — Lab Institute promises balanced intelligence and insights on major policy and business issues affecting the lab and pathology sectors.