Take Charge of Your Practice’s Future With Trusted Legal Guidance That You Can Afford
Healthcare providers are bombarded with corporate and regulatory compliance challenges. Individual physicians and small practices are especially disadvantaged because all too often they are priced out of high-quality legal services from an experienced healthcare attorney. Through my healthcare legal practice, I empower doctors, practices and facilities to gain confidence in their business decisions and practice compliance, and find freedom within the rules and laws weighing them down.
Susan E. Frankel, Esq.: Healthcare Attorney and Founder
I’m Susan Frankel, an Ivy League-trained healthcare attorney with a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, a Master of Laws in health law, and more than 30 years of experience in business and healthcare law. After many years providing legal services at prominent law firms and serving as in-house counsel for a hospital system and a multi-state medical practice, I founded Empower Healthcare & Legal Solutions PLLC to provide boutique, personal services at accessible rates.
Throughout my legal career, I’ve worked with countless healthcare providers who feel overwhelmed by the complex, shifting regulatory landscape that governs the medical industry. My goal is to demystify corporate and compliance matters for medical providers through personalized counsel. Unlike most corporate and regulatory healthcare attorneys, my prior experience included healthcare litigation. My clients benefit from my distinctive ability to review business prospects and agreements through the lens of avoiding pitfalls and litigation.
Whether you are a solo practitioner just starting your practice, a physician negotiating employment with a hospital or large group, a small practice looking to add practitioners or revenue streams, or a medical clinic navigating mergers and acquisitions, I am here to drive your legal success.
Who I Serve
Virtually every healthcare provider encounters legal uncertainties at some point in their career. I have experience guiding a wide range of practitioners through the regulatory landscape.
Physicians
Physicians have many options for where and how they provide their medical services, whether as a solo practitioner, in a boutique practice, or with a large group or health system. I provide high-level, detailed services for physicians seeking reliable yet affordable legal guidance. Whether you want to join a new group, seamlessly separate from a hospital, or need help reviewing your solo practice’s billing service agreement, I will advise to ensure your interests are protected so you can build your practice confidently.
Practices
Many small medical practices have joined forces with other providers to expand services and patient bases and to consolidate resources. I counsel small practices looking to hire new practitioners, merge, acquire, or be acquired by other practices, or add new revenue streams by providing appropriate strategy and agreements to maintain legal compliance. Strategies may include the formation and use of management services companies. I also advise small practices on payor reimbursement matters and audits, privacy and security, telehealth, and other compliance issues.
Facilities
Ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other licensed healthcare facilities face unique corporate and regulatory challenges that require skilled, experienced legal guidance. I provide comprehensive counsel covering corporate formation, ownership structures, licensing, and operational compliance. My support includes drafting employment and independent contractor agreements and ensuring adherence to the full range of federal and state regulations governing facility operations. With focused, practical, and responsive guidance, facilities can maintain compliance, reduce risk, strengthen efficiency, and operate confidently in today’s demanding, diverse healthcare landscape.
Med Spas
Med spas in New York and New Jersey face increased scrutiny for employing unqualified or unlicensed providers. Despite their aesthetic focus, these businesses are legally medical practices and must follow strict healthcare compliance rules and regulations. I provide clarity and protection for med spa owners by carefully reviewing structure, operations, and staffing to ensure full compliance with all applicable state laws. My detailed guidance helps owners navigate complex regulations confidently while preserving reputation, patient safety, and the long-term success of their medical aesthetics business.
Throughout my three decades practicing law, I have provided counsel to medical professionals through countless legal scenarios. My individualized approach and vast knowledge of regulatory guidelines allow me to provide tailored, comprehensive guidance through a diverse assortment of legal challenges.
My Legal Services for Healthcare Providers
In today’s regulatory landscape, practicing medicine is about more than being an expert in your field. It also involves confident knowledge of the legal and compliance requirements that govern your practice. Every change you make must adhere closely to state and federal laws, and failure to comply can lead to hefty fees and penalties.
I provide legal counsel for medical practices navigating an assortment of legal processes. My services extend to and beyond the following areas.
Employment Law
I guide medical practices and individual physicians through the negotiation, drafting and adherence to employment agreements and independent contractor agreements. I also advise employer practices and employed physicians in the termination of employment agreements, including the negotiation and preparation of appropriate separation and severance agreements.
Practice Ownership and Healthcare Transactions
Owning a healthcare practice comes with its own set of regulatory requirements. I counsel practice owners through practice formations, change of ownership through practice acquisitions and sales, corporate governance, and shareholder/operating agreements. My goal is to give providers confidence and peace of mind of their compliant corporate structure.
Healthcare Regulatory Compliance
I untangle the complex web of regulatory laws governing healthcare practices to ensure your full, ongoing compliance. My in-depth knowledge of the legal landscape extends to fraud, waste, and abuse laws, HIPAA privacy and security requirements, telehealth regulations, cybersecurity risk mitigation, the No Surprises Act, and more.
Contract Review
I review and negotiate revenue cycle management agreements, third party billing agreements, and the full range of service agreements, such as marketing agreements, laboratory agreements, and others, to ensure seamless, compliant transactions and service delivery.
“Empower” is more than a name; it is the mission behind my legal services. For too long, medical providers have felt burdened by strict, confusing regulatory guidelines in order to provide the best possible patient care while compliantly generating revenue in their business of medicine.
If any of these sentiments ring true, my services are for you:
- You struggle to decipher what laws and regulations apply to your practice and what they mean.
- You feel like you are drowning under the weight of rules and laws.
- You feel lost and belittled by regulatory agencies.
- You are desperate to improve your practice’s revenue but fear the consequences of noncompliance with confusing laws and rules.
I empower physicians and practice owners to control their businesses, their futures, and their destinies. By walking hand-in-hand with you, I instill the knowledge, resources, and confidence to take back control of your vocation while remaining fully compliant.
Women’s Health Advocacy
My “empower” philosophy also encompasses a deep passion for advocating for women’s health. I champion women going through menopause and mid-life health concerns to make informed and empowered health decisions. I’m also a voice for women whose workplace rights have been disregarded.
This passion has carried me to countless speaking engagements and publishing opportunities throughout my career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Empower Healthcare & Legal Solutions PLLC different from larger law firms?
Empower Healthcare & Legal Solutions PLLC provides you with boutique, personalized services that larger law firms often cannot deliver. When you reach out for legal assistance, you maintain direct access to me throughout your services. I also charge a fraction of the legal fees that are standard at larger law firms for the same if not higher caliber work. Altogether, my services are more accessible and personal than what you would experience with a larger firm.
What types of contracts do you review for medical providers?
I provide comprehensive contract review services for medical practices, carefully scrutinizing agreements including employment and independent contractor agreements, separation agreements, shareholder/operating agreements, asset purchase agreements, third-party biller agreements, vendor agreements, affiliation and joint venture agreements, and more. Come to me with any contract affecting your business processes, and I will use my 30 years of legal experience to review and advise you.
Can you assist with regulatory compliance for new med spas?
Yes, I have extensive experience helping med spas adhere to regulatory requirements throughout their business practices. In my experience, med spas are often seriously underrepresented by legal counsel, yet these businesses must adhere to strict operating guidelines on par with other medical practices. I help new and existing medspas adjust their ownership and processes to ensure compliance.
Can you help if I am leaving a large hospital system to start my own practice?
Yes, I can review your contractual agreements with the hospital system and help you facilitate a smooth, successful exit. This often involves understanding restrictive covenants that apply to your practice. To start your own practice, I can assist with the corporate formation process, obtaining the necessary registrations, implementing effective systems for HIPAA compliance, and completing other steps, depending on the circumstances.
Do you offer consultations?
Yes, I provide consultations as a standard practice for new clients. Fill out the contact form above to request a consultation. I will meet with you in person or via Zoom to discuss your needs and detail how I can assist you. I can also provide an upfront cost estimate based on the type of service and the time involved.
Can you help with provider reimbursement matters?
Yes, I have experience counseling providers through reimbursement issues, payor contract disputes, audits and investigations, and payor clawbacks.
Why hire a healthcare attorney instead of a general business attorney?
The healthcare industry is subject to strict regulations with which many general business attorneys are unfamiliar. Working with a legal professional skilled in healthcare law, specifically, ensures that your guidance stems from knowledge of and experience in these industry-specific regulations.
Do you represent individual doctors or just practices?
I represent both individual physicians and group practices needing legal services. For individual doctors, I often provide legal support to help them end employment with a hospital or large group, or review contracts with these systems upon hiring. I also counsel physicians looking to compliantly start their own practices.
What is your process for working with new clients?
My process starts with an initial consultation, where I sit down with you to determine whether my legal services and approach are right for your needs. I will meet with you in person or via Zoom to discuss your needs and detail how I can assist you. I can also provide an upfront cost estimate based on the type of service and the time involved. During this time, we discuss the specific services you need, such as a one-time contract review, or ongoing legal counsel during a merger or acquisition. I do not take a one-size-fits-all approach and am happy to adjust my services and availability to your specific case.
What sets you apart from larger legal practices?
I provide boutique, individualized legal services for a fraction of the costs standard at larger law firms. Throughout your services, you maintain direct access to me for guidance and support when you need it. My extensive background across various law firms and in-house legal departments allows me to provide counsel that is on par with, if not higher than, the caliber of support you would receive at a larger firm.
Do you provide ongoing support or just one-time services?
I provide ongoing legal support for medical professionals as well as one-time services. My boutique legal services enable me to be flexible with the types of support I provide. I am happy to be your legal guide throughout the transitions and changes in your medical career. Schedule a consultation with me to discuss my fee structure for ongoing services.
Can I hire you for speaking engagements?
If you are interested in hiring me to speak on issues such as women’s healthcare advocacy and workplace rights, fill out my contact form, and I will be in touch.
Do you negotiate business contracts for healthcare providers?
I can assist with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts. My healthcare litigation experience has provided me with strong negotiation skills to advocate for my clients’ interests in contractual discussions and revisions.
Is contract review software effective for reviewing healthcare provider contracts?
Using contract review software is generally not as reliable as working with a skilled, professional attorney for legal contract review. I bring more than three decades of legal experience to the table to provide in-depth, laser-focused review and guidance. I am strongly committed to the success of your business transactions and take care to review agreements carefully, precisely, and through the lens of my extensive legal background.
What are common issues with business transactions in healthcare?
Business transactions not reviewed by experienced healthcare attorneys often exhibit issues such as regulatory compliance problems, violations of anti-kickback and self-referral laws, claim denials, and more. I can help you navigate smooth transactions supported by comprehensive procedural guidelines.
Can a healthcare employee be terminated without cause?
Healthcare employees can often be terminated without cause under the “at-will” employment doctrine, but you must take care to ensure adherence with terms of the employee’s agreement. You must also avoid claims of discrimination or retaliation. Consulting Empower Healthcare & Legal Solutions can help you approach separations and terminations cautiously.
Can you help my practice draft severance agreements?
Yes, I have experience drafting severance agreements for healthcare providers to promote a smooth termination. I can also help employees navigate severance by negotiating more favorable terms and identifying potential violations of rights while staying vigilant about relevant deadlines.
What if I have a one-time question regarding healthcare employment law?
I can provide the level of legal assistance you need to feel comfortable moving forward with an employment contract, whether that is a one-time review or ongoing support throughout your employment.
What are the most common regulatory compliance issues in healthcare practices?
Some of the most common regulatory compliance issues involve fraud and abuse laws, data privacy and security, accurate coding and billing, and navigating complex telehealth regulations. I help healthcare providers like you mitigate compliance risks through preventive guidance and responsive legal support.
What types of practices do you serve?
I primarily work with individual physicians, small medical practices, facilities, and med spas to provide boutique-level legal guidance and personalized services. My rates are intentionally affordable for these entities.
What is your process for working with new clients?
My process starts with an in-person or remote consultation, where I learn more about your legal needs and explain how I can assist you.
What types of medical practices do you work with?
I primarily assist owners of small medical practices, facilities (such as ASCs and imaging centers), and med spas through practice formation and corporate matters.
Why hire a healthcare attorney instead of a general business attorney for practice formation?
Healthcare practice ownership and governance are vastly different from traditional business formation. I provide focused guidance for practice owners within the greater context of the complex regulatory and compliance landscape governing medical facilities.
How can I get started?
Fill out my contact form to request a consultation. I will set up a time to meet with you, discuss your legal needs, and explain how I can assist you.