Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1273559
11 ASC MANAGEMENT Ransomware attack affects 13,000+ patients' info at Alaska surgical practice By Laura Dyrda Palmer, Alaska-based Mat-Su Surgical Associates reported a ransomware attack that affected thousands of patients' information. Four things to know: 1. e practice discovered March 16 that some of its files were encrypted and it was unable to access its network system. MSA worked with a forensic investigation team to determine that an unauthorized individual may have gained access to files stored on the system, which included protected health information of current and former patients at MSA and Valley Surgical Associates. 2. e investigators could not identify all files that may have been viewed during the security incident. 3. MSA reported to HHS that 13,146 individuals were affected by the ransom- ware attack, which may have exposed patient names, addresses, Social Security numbers, diagnosis and treatment information. The breached system also in- cluded patients' health insurance information, test results and other informa- tion related to patient care. 4. MSA specializes in general surgery, endoscopy, advanced laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery. n Eye surgeon charged in $637,200 COVID-19 loan fraud scheme: 6 details By Laura Dyrda A New York eye surgeon has been indicted, accused of fraudulently accepting two Paycheck Protection Program loans associated with COVID-19 relief for which he was ineligible, ac- cording to a news release from The U.S. Department of Justice Southern District of New York. Six things to know: 1. Ameet Goyal, MD, who owns Eye As- sociates Group in New York and Rye Eye Associates in Greenwich, Conn., is ac- cused of accepting two PPP loans totaling $637,200. He was ineligible for the loans because he is currently under investiga- tion for a separate $3 million healthcare fraud scheme, according to the DOJ news release. 2. Dr. Goyal was indicted June 24 on charges of bank fraud and making false statements on the loan applications. Eli- gible borrowers may only receive one PPP loan, but Dr. Goyal applied for two: one for $358,700 for Eye Associates Group and another for $278,500 for Rye Eye Associ- ates, according to the DOJ news release. 3. On both loan applications, Dr. Goyal submitted the same payroll report show- ing a $97,273 monthly payroll. He also claimed to not be facing any criminal charges on the loan applications, accord- ing to the DOJ news release. 4. Dr. Goyal received the full amount of both loans, according to the DOJ news release. 5. The original indictment against Dr. Goyal was issued Nov. 21, 2019, alleging he defrauded patients, Medicare and pri- vate insurance by submitting false claims for services not performed and overbilling for services that were performed. 6. Dr. Goyal's attorney told Westfair Online, that his team is moving to dismiss the first indictment and fight the remaining case at trial. n New York ASC reopens with salary guarantees, liberal sick leave — 3 insights By Angie Stewart N ew York City-based Gramercy Surgery Center reopened for elec- tive surgeries with new safety protocols and staff salary guaran- tees in place, according to CEO Austin Cheng. What you should know: 1. With funding from the Paycheck Protection Program, "Gramercy has committed to implementing certain salary guarantees" for employees. Administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the PPP is a loan designed to help businesses keep workers on payroll. The loan is eligible for forgiveness if all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks and if it goes toward payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utility expenses. 2. To lower the risk of spreading COVID-19, Gramercy Surgery Center is allowing staff to "liberally use paid sick leave" and has approved remote working arrangements for administrative staff. 3. Staff will be required to wear face masks and gloves throughout Gramercy Surgery Center's facilities in Manhattan and Queens. In all clinical areas, they're required to use N95 masks approved by the Na- tional Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Additionally, staff will be supplied with masks to wear when they're not at the facility to help them avoid contracting COVID-19. n