Tara L. Foto Partner—New Orleans Phone: 504.584.5435 Fax: 504.584.5452 tara.foto@bswllp.com

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Tara Foto is a partner in the New Orleans office with a full time practice in corporate healthcare law.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine. 

Education

Louisiana University School of Law, New Orleans, LA, December 1995, Juris Doctor, Civil Law Curriculum

Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, May 1981, Bachelor of Science, Nursing

Admissions

Louisiana (1996); Supreme Court, State of Louisiana (1996); U.S. District Court – Eastern of Louisiana (1996)

Professional Associations

Louisiana State Bar Association

American Bar Association

Louisiana Society of Hospital Attorneys of the Louisiana Hospital Association

American Health Lawyers Association

Affiliate American College of Healthcare Executive

Health Care Compliance Association

Presentations

September 15, 2009 - Louisiana Hospital Association's, seminar: Advanced Compliance Updates, "EMTALA: The 250 Yard Rule, Satellite Facilities, and Recent Changes to the Conditions of Participation."

Ms. Foto is a frequent speaker at seminars on topics relating to health care law and a member of the Louisiana and American Bar Association, the American Health Lawyers Association, the Louisiana Society of Hospital Attorneys, and The American Association of Nurse Attorneys.

Experience

Medicare and Medicaid Administration; legal issues repayments and disclosures

Regulatory compliance including, Stark and Federal and Louisiana State Anti-Kickback Statutes; Privacy and Security of healthcare information under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; False Claims Act; Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (“EMTALA”)  

Start-up healthcare ventures, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures

Contractual issues including formation of provider groups and delivery systems, medical and graduate medical education affiliations; billing and collection, administration, outsourcing, employment, leased employment, professional services, management services, cooperative endeavors, managed care, buying and selling real estate, and leasing space and equipment; physician recruitment and contracting

Quality of care, performance improvement, transparency, pay-for performance, and utilization review issues

Non-profit corporate governance; tax-exempt issues for healthcare organizations

Qui tam defense

Laws and regulations applicable to hospital based and free standing home health agencies (“HHA”), ambulatory surgical centers (“ASC”), durable medical equipment (“DME”) companies, long term care (“LTC”) facilities, long term acute care hospitals (“LTACH”), rehabilitation facilities, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy centers, diagnostic imaging facilities, federally qualified health centers (“FQHC”), infusion centers, hospices, community mental health centers, ambulance providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedics

Medical Staff and Allied Health Professional Bylaws

Medical and hospital staff education

Corporate Compliance Plans; Mission Statements and Codes of Conduct; risk assessments for healthcare providers  

Health Care Quality Improvement Act (“HCQIA”); credentialing, peer review and medical staff rights and responsibilities

Surveys, certifications, and accreditation

Medical Records Laws

Healthcare decision-making, patient autonomy, end-of life, patient rights, and freedom of choice; and professional responsibility

Operational policies and procedures

Legal issues in treating mentally ill and substance abuse

Emergency medical system transportation and personnel

Compliance with State laws applicable to Louisiana State agencies and public bodies, such as hospital service districts, including but not limited to the Louisiana State Constitution, Code of Governmental Ethics, Public Meetings Laws, Public Records Act, Public Bid/Leasing Laws, as well as the Enhanced Ability to Compete Statutes