Theresa advises clients in the health care industry on a wide range of operational and legal matters, including regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, tax exemption, and state and federal privacy matters.
Theresa’s experience includes advising clients engaged in strategic transactions, including hospital, physician practice, ambulatory surgery center and physical therapy practice acquisitions, and private equity investments. She regularly counsels clients on regulatory and compliance issues, including telehealth licensure requirements, federal and state anti-kickback statutes, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, the Stark Law, and state corporate practice of medicine doctrines. In addition, Theresa’s practice includes assisting health care clients in antitrust matters and investigations and litigation relating to the False Claims Act (FCA), the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), and the Stark Law brought by federal agencies and qui tam whistleblowers.
Prior to joining Benesch, Theresa served as a legal fellow for a nationally renowned pediatric health system where she counseled the system on regulatory and compliance issues and implemented business form solutions. While in law school, she externed at a large academic medical center. Theresa is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys.
Representative Experience
- Represented one of the largest inpatient psych hospital chains in the U.S. against nine EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) violations brought by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and referred to the U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG). The allegations against the client were the result of a surprise onsite EMTALA audit by CMS. The Benesch team prepared and represented the client through the due process hearing held in front of a panel of QIO physicians. Upon review of the hearing materials, the OIG decided not to pursue civil money penalties against the client which could have exceeded $111,000 per violation.
- Lead Counsel representing a nephrology centered value based care company in the sale of 51% ownership to a large regional healthcare system. The strategic partnership intends to grow the value based care services it offers patients and payors in the region.
