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A founding Member of the firm, Barbra Z. Nault has been practicing law for over twenty-five years and works exclusively with health care clients in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. 

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Ms. Nault counsels clients with respect to business and corporate transactions, governance matters, contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, employment matters, government and commercial payor programs and audits, internal investigations, medical office leasing, and professional and facility licensing.  She provides advice regarding compliance with state and federal law, including the Physician Self-Referral Law ("Stark Law"), anti-kickback statutes, and patient privacy and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"").  She served for several years as outside general counsel for a sole community hospital and has been engaged as local counsel on numerous transactions involving state-specific regulatory compliance.  
 
Ms. Nault also advises clients who are joining or just starting a practice or looking to expand operations through the addition of providers or service lines, or through acquisition, merger, or joint venture.  She has assisted clients with entity formation, conversion, and dissolution, as well as advised clients who are preparing to wind down and close or sell a practice or company.  

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Ms. Nault has substantial litigation experience, including representation of clients in business disputes, administrative proceedings, and appeals, and has argued successfully on behalf of clients before the Alaska Supreme Court.  She has also represented clients in negotiations and resolution of disputes with regulatory agencies in multiple states.

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Ms. Nault works with medical groups and individual physicians and surgeons, allied health care providers, ambulatory surgery centers, pharmacies, and healthcare industry associations.  She presents regularly on a range of business and health care topics.

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EDUCATION

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Bachelor of Arts, University of Arizona, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1988

Juris Doctor, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, 1997

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ADMISSIONS

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Bar of Alaska

Bar of Oregon

Bar of Washington

U.S. District of Alaska

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

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MEMBERSHIPS

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Alaska Bar Association

American Health Law Association

Oregon State Bar Association

Washington State Bar Association

Washington State Society of Healthcare Attorneys

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PUBLICATIONS

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“Medicare Telehealth and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency,” Studebaker Nault Legal Alert, December 22, 2020

 

“Substitute House Bill 1931 Extends Workplace Violence Prevention Program Requirements to Washington Licensed Ambulatory Surgical Facilities,” Studebaker Nault Legal Alert, May 21, 2019

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PRESENTATIONS

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“Regulatory Challenges for ASCs: Fraud and Abuse Enforcement Trends," Pacific Northwest ASC Symposium, August 4, 2023

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“Current Trends in Post-Pandemic Healthcare Litigation," Washington State Medical Group Management Association Pacific Northwest Medical Management Conference, May 8, 2023

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“Dental Service Organizations and Their Impact on Dentistry in Washington State," Pacific Northwest Dental Conference, November 10, 2022

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“Preparing for Successful Onsite Surveys of ASC's," Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Annual Education Conference, November 4, 2022

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“Emerging Trends in ASC Merger & Acquisition Activity," Northwest ASC Symposium, June 2, 2022​​

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“Legal Trends and Updates: What Every Practice Manager Should Know," Washington State Medical Group Management Association Pacific Northwest Medical Management Conference, May 18, 2022​​

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“Your Practice Has a Cybersecurity Incident: Now What?,” Washington State Medical Group Management Association Pacific Northwest Medical Management Virtual Conference, May 27, 2021

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“Implementing a Violence Prevention Program,” Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Webinar Series, August 7, 2020

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“Workplace Violence in the Healthcare Setting,” Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Annual Education Conference, November 15, 2019

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“Physician Practice and ASC Valuation Issues,” Pacific Northwest ASC Symposium, May 24, 2019

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“Violence in the Health Care Setting,” Washington Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons Annual Meeting, March 29, 2019

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“Knock, Knock!  Surveyors Are at the Door:  Practical Tips for a Successful ASC Survey,” Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Annual Education Conference, November 2, 2018

 

“Sexual Harassment in the Workplace:  Progress, Pitfalls and Prevention,” Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Annual Education Conference, November 2, 2018 

 

“Peer Review Privilege after Alaska Supreme Court Decision in Mat-Su Valley Medical Center, LLC v. Denise Bolinder, et. al.,” Alaska Bar Association Health Care Section, October 4, 2018

 

“ASC Transactions:  Partnering with Physicians, Preparing for a Sale, and Achieving Integration,” Pacific Northwest ASC Symposium, July 26, 2018

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“Hospital Mergers & Affiliations: Process and Compliance,” Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems Compliance Committee Meeting, March 13, 2018

 

“Health Care Contracting: Best Practices Toolkit and Three Tenets of Defensibility,” Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association Annual Conference, September 27, 2017

 

“Provider Contracting Toolkit: Best Practices & Three Key Tenets of Defensibility,” Washington State Bar Association Webinar, September 21, 2017

 

“Emerging Issues: ASC Transactions,” Pacific Northwest ASC Symposium, July 27, 2017

 

“Compliance & Mitigating Audit Risk,” Washington State Pharmacy Association Medical Billing Workshop, June 29, 2017

 

“Pharmacists as Providers:  Medical Billing Workshop,” Washington State Pharmacy Association, June 29, 2017

 

“Employment Law Update: What’s New and What to Do About It,” Washington Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons Annual Meeting, March 31, 2017

 

“Washington Paid Sick Leave Update,” Washington State Healthcare Human Resources Association, March 23, 2017

 

“Preparing Clients for the Impact of the Alaska False Claims Act,” Alaska Bar Association Healthcare Section Meeting CLE, February 2, 2017

 

“Implementing SB 74: The New Alaska False Claims Act,” Alaska State of Reform Health Policy Conference, October 13, 2016

 

“Alaska False Claims Act / Self-Audit Legislation Update,” Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association Annual Meeting, September 29, 2016

 

“Legal Update: What’s New and what to Do About It,” Washington State Healthcare Human Resources Association Fall Conference, September 15, 2016

 

“Life Cycle of An Ambulatory Surgical Facility: Key Transaction and Valuation Issues,” Pacific Northwest ASC Symposium, June 23, 2016

 

“Handle with Care!  Corrective Action for Clinical Providers,” Pacific Northwest Health Care Labor & Employment Seminar, June 8, 2016

 

“Preparing for the Impact of the Alaska False Claims Act,” Alaska Health Reform Webinar, June 2, 2016

 

“Recent Developments in Physician Compensation.” Alaska Bar Association Healthcare Section CLE, April 7, 2016

 

“Health Care Law for Non-Healthcare Lawyers,” Alaska Bar Association Healthcare Section CLE, October 9, 2015

 

“Navigating the Options: Business Opportunities and Regulatory Pitfalls for Healthcare Providers,” Alaska Medical Group Management Association Conference, April 9, 2015

 

“Is Your Healthcare Provider Committing Fraud?” Alaska Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Training, April 17, 2014

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“The Affordable Care Act Impact on Alaska Natives,” Alaska Bar Association Native Law Section CLE, September 11, 2013

 

“Fraud and Abuse: 2013 Review,” Alaska Bar Association CLE, September 6, 2013

 

“The Affordable Care Act: What Employers Need to Know,” Employment Law – Beyond the Basics, Sterling Education Services, August 22, 2013

 

“The HIPAA / HITECH Omnibus Rule,” Alaska Physicians and Surgeons Association Meeting, August 15, 2013

 

“Is Your Client’s Compliance Program Compliant?” Alaska Bar Association Healthcare Section CLE, April 4, 2013

 

“The Affordable Care Act: What Can We Expect?” Associated Builders and Contractors – Fairbanks Chapter Meeting, February 26, 2013