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CMS is imposing a six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollment for hospices and home health agencies in a sweeping effort to combat fraud.

Effective immediately, CMS will not process new Medicare enrollment applications or certain changes in majority ownership for hospices and home health agencies across the country for the next six months. This action is designed to prevent fraudulent providers from entering the Medicare program and to disrupt schemes that exploit vulnerable beneficiaries and taxpayer funds. Existing
Continue Reading Moratorium on New Medicare Enrollment

On April 8, 2026, Governor Evers signed 2025 Senate Bill 531, creating 2025 Wis. Act 230, which enacts a new provision of Wisconsin’s insurance statutes: § 632.11. Section 632.11 imposes new regulations on assignments of benefits obtained by contractors. While this new statute has provisions relevant to contractors, consumers, and insurers, the focus of this Legal Update is on the impact of this new statute on insurance companies.

But first, some context. An “assignment” is a contract where one
Continue Reading Wisconsin Reins in Assignment of Benefits: What Property Insurers Need to Know Before Dec. 1, 2026

Governor Tony Evers signed into law two laws that are intended to address significant concerns regarding Wisconsin’s regulation of so-called forever chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These laws, 2025 Wisconsin Act 200 and 201, set a new course and grant new authority to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to investigate and remediate, as well as to issue grants to public and private parties dealing with PFAS contamination. The laws also create narrow liability exemptions for passive receivers
Continue Reading New PFAS Legislation in Wisconsin

Wisconsin employers, insurers and claims professionals should take note of substantial amendments to the Worker’s Compensation Act under 2025 Wisconsin Act 145. Effective April 1, 2026, the Act revises benefit levels, hearing procedure, evidentiary rules, settlement administration, supplemental benefits, PTSD coverage and enforcement provisions relating to insurance compliance.

Among the Act’s immediate monetary changes, the maximum weekly permanent partial disability rate increases to $454 for injuries occurring on and after April 1, 2026, and to $462 for injuries occurring
Continue Reading Wisconsin Act 145 Brings Significant Changes to the Worker’s Compensation Act

The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently clarified student questioning conducted by school resource officers in schools may constitute “custodial interrogation” requiring Miranda warnings, even when no arrest occurs. In State v. K.R.C., the Court held that a 12-year-old student was in custody for Miranda purposes when the student was questioned by two police officers in the SRO office. One officer was the school resource officer, and the other officer was not affiliated with the school.

The K.R.C. decision provides important
Continue Reading Wisconsin Supreme Court Addresses Miranda Protections in School Settings

Grooming is destructive. Grooming involves boundary-crossing conduct and private communications intended to build a child’s trust before terribly abusive conduct against the child occurs. Grooming has come into focus as a significant student safety issue with high community interest and now legal prohibitions. On March 6, 2026, Governor Tony Evers signed into law two new bills aimed at strengthening student safety. The Bills define and criminalize grooming of children by individuals in a position of trust (which includes all
Continue Reading New Wisconsin Laws Target Grooming in Schools: What School Districts Need to Know

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a favorable advisory opinion regarding a proposal by an unnamed management entity to operate a laboratory serving patients of urgent care centers it manages. The OIG concluded that the proposed arrangement would not generate prohibited remuneration under the Federal anti-kickback statute, and therefore, would not subject the requestor to administrative sanctions under the relevant sections of the Social Security Act.
The requestor, a management entity affiliated with four urgent care centers,
Continue Reading OIG Advisory Opinion: Labs Serving Patients of Urgent Care Centers

Bottom line: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a favorable advisory opinion regarding a proposal by a manufacturer of a diagnostic test to waive cost-sharing for certain commercially insured patients. The OIG concluded that the arrangement does not violate the Federal anti-kickback statute or the Beneficiary Inducements CMP, given the specific safeguards in place. Key facts: The Requestor manufactures an FDA-approved, non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test. The proposal involves waiving cost-sharing for commercially insured patients who receive
Continue Reading OIG Approves Cost-Sharing Waiver for Commercially Insured Patients

Intravenous (IV) hydration therapy has gained popularity in recent years as a wellness treatment, aimed at those seeking to boost energy, improve immunity, enhance athletic performance, or even find hangover relief. This therapy involves delivering nutrients, and sometimes prescription medications directly into the bloodstream. Results are touted as being immediate absorption, faster relief and more predictable outcomes. But as with any invasive procedure, there are risks for those giving and receiving IV hydration therapy.
Recently, the Wisconsin Department of
Continue Reading IV Hydration Therapy Business – Recent Guidance Highlights Legal Implications in this Fast-Growing Industry

von Briesen & Roper, s.c. is proud to have 27 attorneys listed as 2025 Wisconsin Super Lawyers® and Wisconsin Rising Stars and 3 attorneys named to their “Top” lists.
Top 10: Wisconsin Super Lawyers:

Top 50: Wisconsin Super Lawyers:

Top 25: Women Wisconsin Super Lawyers:

Top 25: Milwaukee Super Lawyers:

Top 25: Madison Super Lawyers:

Wisconsin Super Lawyers:

Wisconsin Rising Stars:

(* indicates lawyers listed for the first time)
Continue Reading von Briesen 2025 Wisconsin Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that Matthew J. Van Keulen and Thor C. Jeppson have joined the firm’s Madison office.
Van Keulen is a Shareholder in the Insurance Coverage and Risk Management Section. He focuses his practice on a wide range of coverage issues and draws on his years of experience in private practice and over a decade as a Senior Litigation Attorney for a large insurer. Van Keulen is an adjunct professor at the University of
Continue Reading von Briesen Welcomes Matthew Van Keulen and Thor Jeppson

von Briesen & Roper, s.c. announces the opening of its new office in Naples, Florida and welcomes well-established Naples attorneys Jeffrey R. Grant and Joshua A. Grant. von Briesen’s new Naples office is located at 3555 Kraft Road, Suite 402.
Jeffrey R. Grant joins the Firm as a Shareholder, focusing his practice on estate and trust matters with a family-oriented team-based client approach. He has extensive experience in the areas of probate, trust administration, beneficiary representation and estate
Continue Reading von Briesen Expands into Florida and Welcomes Two Attorneys

Preserving lien rights can be important in any type of economy, but is even more important when the economy is uncertain. Taking the following important steps can protect your lien rights on projects located in Wisconsin.

Step 1 – Give Your Initial Lien Notice. On wholly residential projects involving up to four family living units, contractors who have a contract directly with the owner (i.e., prime contractors) who will contract with any subcontractors or suppliers for labor or materials
Continue Reading Contractors – Know Your Lien Rights

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that Payton L. Rahn and Mackenzie L. Retzlaff have joined the Milwaukee office.
Rahn is an Associate in the Labor & Employment, Government and School Law Sections. She assists both private employers and governmental entities on a wide range of employment matters. Rahn is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bar Association, Association for Women Lawyers (AWL) and Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association (MYLA). She received a J.D., cum laude,
Continue Reading von Briesen Welcomes Payton Rahn and Mackenzie Retzlaff

von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that Andrew P. Brusky has joined the Milwaukee office, Jack G. Lemkuil has joined the Madison & Green Bay offices, and Jarrod J. Papendorf joined the Neenah office.
Brusky is a Shareholder in the Trusts and Estates Section. He focuses his practice on elder and special needs law, estate planning, probate and trust administration. He is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in Elder Law (2007-2025) and Wisconsin Super Lawyers® (2007-2024).
Continue Reading von Briesen Welcomes Three Attorneys Around the State

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL), released updated guidance regarding the use of electronic recording, video monitoring, and filming equipment (collectively, “Monitoring Devices”) in assisted living settings. The goal of this guidance is to balance the use of emerging technologies with residents’ rights to privacy in their homes. This guidance applies to Wisconsin Adult Family Homes (AFHs), Community-Based Residential Facilities (CBRFs), and Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCACs).

Key
Continue Reading Wisconsin DHS Issues Updated Guidance on Use of Electronic Monitoring in Assisted Living Facilities