985-292-2000

Kathleen L. DeBruhl

Of Counsel

Ms. DeBruhl’s practice focuses on the representation of healthcare providers, and in particular, physicians and their legal issues. Ms. DeBruhl’s multi-state clients include healthcare providers, specialty hospitals, medical staffs, ambulatory surgery centers, durable medical equipment providers, imaging facilities, and laboratories, and pharmacies. She possesses extensive expertise in a variety of healthcare areas, including substantial experience in general healthcare law, managed care contracts, physician practices, recruitment and contracting, antitrust, Medicare and Medicaid certification and reimbursement, audits and appeals, fraud and abuse, mergers and acquisitions, and the development of ancillary services and joint ventures such as ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and specialty hospitals.

Ms. DeBruhl is particularly experienced in providing strategic planning and advice to healthcare clients to build and develop healthcare projects, including organization of healthcare entities, joint ventures, construction, financing, management structures and investor syndication. She has developed integrated delivery systems, including ACO’s, physician specialty hospitals, and has facilitated the complex mergers of multiple physician practices. Her healthcare practice and expertise also spans both state and federal regulatory issues, including Medicare fraud and abuse enforcement and compliance issues, state fraud and abuse matters, insurance industry fraud and compliance, and federal Qui Tam (“Whistleblower”) defense.

Ms. DeBruhl also serves as outside counsel to the Faculty Group Practice Plans of both LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. Ms. DeBruhl was the initial counsel to organize both faculty group practices and obtained their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation. Ms. DeBruhl has also served as special counsel to other academic medical centers.

Ms. DeBruhl has contributed her expertise as a co-author of national publications regarding the legal representation of physicians and speaks at regional and national seminars and conferences for both legal and healthcare associations. She is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell® and since 2009 has been recognized as a Top Lawyer in Healthcare in the New Orleans Area by New Orleans Magazine.

Kathleen L. DeBruhl

Of Counsel

CONTACT INFO

985-292-2000

kdebruhl@millinglaw.com

68031 Capital Trace Row Mandeville, LA 70471

Admitted to Practice

Louisiana
New York
United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana

Education

Binghamton University, B.A. 1976
Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Juris Doctor 1981

Professional Memberships

Louisiana State Bar Association
Health Law Section, Member
New York State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Health Law Section, Member
Physician Interest Group, Vice Chair
Health Law Section, Member, Council (Present)
Vice Chair, Health & Wellness (2019)
Liaison, ABA – Commission on Women in the Profession
Past Chair, 2015 and 2016 – Physicians Legal Issues Conference with
ABA Health Law Section and Chicago Medical Society
American Health Lawyers Association
Physician Organizations Practice Group, Member
Fraud and Abuse Practice Group, Member
Academic Medical Centers Practice Group, Member
American Medical Association
Legal Advisory Committee

Sample of Speaking Engagements:

2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons – Practice Group Meeting; multiple topics including: Medical Practice Mergers; Joint Ventures; Vendor Relationships; Effectively Competing with Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois
2011 American Association of Orthopaedic Executives – Webinar –“Accountable Care Organizations and Hospitals Purchasing Practices”
2011 Florida Orthopaedic Society – Scientific Annual Meeting – “ACOs and Alignment Strategy Issues”, Orlando, Florida
2011 South Carolina Association of Orthopaedic Executives – “Hot Legal Topics for Orthopaedic Administrators”, Kiawah, South Carolina
2011 Florida Bones Society, Annual Meeting – “ACOs, Service Line Agreements, Hospital Board Employment, Physician Group Mergers and Umbrella Organizations”, Amelia Island, Florida
2011 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons – Practice Group Meeting – “Clinical and Financial Integration – Legal Issues”, Chicago, Illinois
2012 Midwest American Academy of Orthopaedic Executives – Spring Meeting – “Hot Topics for Orthopaedic Practices – Mergers, Hospital Alignments, Service Line Agreements and Implant Companies”, Lake Ozark, Missouri
2012 Children’s Hospital – “Physician Employment Agreements for Medical Residents”, New Orleans, Louisiana
2012 ABA Health Law Section and Chicago Medical Society Physician Legal Issues –“Staying the Course: Maintaining a Physician Group Practice in Today’s Market Place”, Chicago, Illinois
2012 Florida Orthopaedic Society Board of Directors Meeting – “Physician-Owned Distributorships” Boca Raton, Florida
2012 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons – AAOS Practice Forward: Managing Your Practice in an Era of Healthcare Transformation –“Clinical and Financial Integration Legal Issues”, Chicago, Illinois
2013 American Medical Association – Webinar: “Principles of Physician Employment”
2013 American Academy of Orthopaedic Executives- Webinar: “Maintaining an Independent Practice”
2013 American Bar Association-Chicago Medical Society: “Principles of Physician Employment”, Chicago, Illinois
2013 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons- AAOS Practice Forward: “Provider Integration Strategies-Legal Considerations“, Chicago, Illinois
2018 Leadership Summit – State Orthopedic Societies: “Legal Issues Facing Orthopaedic Surgeons”, New Orleans, Louisiana
2018 Bones Society of Florida : “Sales, Mergers and Equity Acquisitions”, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
2018 American Bar Association Health Law Section – Physician Legal Issues: “Anatomy of a Physician Employment Agreement”, Chicago, Illinois

Sample of Publications

2006 Co-Author, American Health Lawyers – Physician Practice Handbook – Chapter on Reimbursement of Physician’s Services; Volume I
2007 to Present Contributing Editor – eHealth Newsletter on Physician Practice Issues, American Health Lawyers Association
2008 Co-Author, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons/American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons – Practice Management Committee – “To Pay or Not to Pay”
2009 Co-Author, American Health Lawyers – Physician Practice Handbook – Chapter on Reimbursement of Physician’s Services; Volume II
2011 Chair, ABA Task Force-Comments to OIG 1999 Special Advisory Bulletin on Effects of Exclusion from Medicare
2012 Co-Author, American Medical Association-Model Co-Management Agreement
2013 Co-Author, American Health Lawyers – Physician Practice Handbook – Chapter on Reimbursement of Physician’s Services; Volume III
2013 Author, AAOS Now-“Survival Skills for Independent Practices,” Feb. 2013
2014 Co-Author, AAOS Now-“New Light on Industry Payments to Physicians,” Jan. 2014
2014 Contributing Writer-“Louisiana Orthopaedic Association 2014 Membership Directory and Physician Source Book: A Compilation of Laws, Rules, Regulations and Guidelines Governing the Medical Profession,” Feb. 2014

Milling Benson Woodward L.L.P. is proud to have served Louisiana clients for more than 120 years. Whether your legal issues are local, statewide, national or international, our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys can provide the quality representation you seek. Call our Mandeville office at 985-292-2000.