L. Lamar Blount - CPA/CFF, FHFMA

Mr. L. Lamar Blount - CPA/CFF, FHFMA

HLN - Health Law Network
PO Box 2166
Atlanta, GA 30077 - 2166
Office: 770-645-5989
Introduction

Health Law Network (HLN) provides experts in medical billing, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, health insurance, false claims, regulatory compliance, clinical documentation, medical records, ICD & CPT coding, hospital and professional billing, reasonableness of charges, damage quantification, statistics and quality of care.

HLN's founder co-authored two editions of the AMA's bestselling "Mastering the Reimbursement Process" book, has served on the Editorial Boards for numerous healthcare industry publications, and as an Arbitrator for the American Health Lawyers Association. Since 1990, HLN and its predecessor firm has provided audits, investigations, training and consulting services to hundreds of hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers nationwide. HLN's professionals have served as consulting experts in hundreds of cases and have been admitted as testifying experts in multiple US District Courts and State Courts.

HLN's expertise includes: Medical Billing, Medicare & Medicaid compliance, reimbursement disputes, clinical documentation, ICD and CPT coding, hospital and professional fee billing, statistical sampling, medical damages, health and disability insurance, Affordable Care Act, forensic accounting, reasonableness of charges, Business Damages, Contractual Disputes, Cost Reports, DRGs, APCs, ERISA, False Claims, Healthcare and Insurance Fraud, HIPAA, Rate Setting, Self-Disclosure and Valuations.


Areas of Expertise
  • Business Valuation
  • Forensic Accounting
  • Health Care Litigation
  • Health/Medical/Disability Insurance
  • Insurance Agent/Broker
  • Insurance Fraud
  • Managed Care & HMOs
  • Medical Billing
  • Medical Fraud
  • Medical Insurance
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Medical Records
  • Medical Valuation
  • Nursing Homes

Expert Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A:
* BBA with Major in Accounting - 1974 - Georgia Southern University
* Certified Public Accountant - 1976 - Georgia #3625
* Certified Healthcare Financial Professional - 1997
* Fellow Healthcare Financial Management Association - 1998
* Property and Casualty Insurance - 2001 Georgia #595707
* Life, Accident and Sickness Insurance - 2002 Georgia #595707
* Certified in Financial Forensics - 2010 #4509
* Life, Accident & Sickness Insurance Counselor - 2011 - Georgia # 595707
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: * American Institute of CPAs
* Association of Healthcare Auditors and Educators
* Georgia Society of CPAs
* Health Care Compliance Association
* Healthcare Financial Management Association
* National Association of Health Underwriters


Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: PRESENTATIONS:
“Code of Conduct & Compliance Training” – Neurology Associates
“Compliance & Benefit Solutions” – HBA & Colonial Life
“Compliance – Getting Physicians’ Buy-In” – HMA
“Compliance Issues Ending in Court Cases” - National AHCAE Conference
“Compliance Risks & Solutions for MDs” – MCCG Family Practice Residency
“Controlling Compliance Risks” – Association of American Physicians & Surgeons
“Employee Benefit & ERISA Compliance Issues” – Georgia HFMA
“Hot Topics in Compliance” – GHA and GA HFMA
“Improving Coding Accuracy & Compliance” – Covenant Health System
“Knowing and Avoiding the OIG Compliance Targets” – Georgia HFMA
“Medical Billing Overview” – MGC Atlanta Workers Comp & Litigation Seminar
“Medicaid Forum – CFO Update” – Georgia HFMA
“Minimizing HIM Fraud and False Claim Risks” – HMA
“ObamaCare – Employers Beware” – Atlanta CPA Alliance
“OIG & Auditing Issues” – National AHCAE Conference
“OIG Compliance Targets” – HFMA Dixie Institute
“Reducing PFS Compliance Risks” – HSI PFS Roundtable
“Reducing Risks for Providers & CPAs” – NY Society of CPAs
“Self-Disclosure Protocol - Advantages and Pitfalls” – Health Care Compliance Institute
“Small Business Survival & ACA Update” – MS CPAs
“Strategic Options for Employers Under the ACA” – SHRM Atlanta
“State of Compliance in Healthcare” – Kentucky HFMA
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Over 600
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Medical Billing, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, healthcare financial management, accounting, billing fraud, Medicare False Claims, Medicaid False Claims, Usual Customary & Reasonable (UCR) Charges, Compliance Programs, Audits of documentation, coding and billing, healthcare contractual disputes, managed care disputes, damage quantification.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 30%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 70%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Over 70
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: 2021
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Over 20
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Over 30
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Over 30
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: HLN provides seasoned consultants with expertise in medical billing, reasonableness of medical charges, Medicare & Medicaid compliance, ICD and CPT coding, facility and professional fee billing, clinical documentation, statistical sampling, medical or economic damages, electronic health records, health insurance and forensic accounting.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Rates and time budgets are available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Rates and time budgets are available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Rates and time budgets are available upon request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Rates and time budgets are available upon request.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Out of pocket costs for travel and other services, if needed.

Hourly rates for HLN professionals vary based upon skill level required.

References

References and a List of Representative Litigation Support Experience are Available Upon Request. Also, client quotes are listed at: www.hlnetwork.com/Client_Quotes.html

Here are actual quotes from several HLN clients:

"I believe the defendant opted for a resolution due to your presence as a local Georgia expert willing to criticize them and the input you provided for the depositions. It was very helpful to have your input in preparation for the defendant's employee questioning." (Bricker S. Daughtry, Esq. with Fortson, Bentley and Griffin, Athens, GA).

"Your testimony and report were critical in resolving the case. The reduced damages number you provided helped convince the plaintiff to significantly reduce her settlement demand and to base settlement on a much more reasonable value of her medical treatment." (Calvin Yeager, Esq. with Swift Currie McGhee & Hiers, Atlanta, GA)

“We did not settle at mediation, but we just did this morning, so this one is done and you can close our file. I appreciate your help as always, and your analysis was very helpful in terms of getting us to a point where the parties could come together and resolve the case.” (Russell B. Davis, Esq. with Downey & Cleveland, Marietta, GA)

"It was a pleasure working with you and your team, Lamar. As our defense developed, the AUSA threw in the towel and made [the defendant] an offer he couldn't refuse... We look forward to working with you again, perhaps in your capacity as a forensic CPA if I don't pick up another Health Care Fraud case any time soon." (Chuck Moragan, Esq., Criminal Defense Attorney, Charlotte, NC)

"Attached is the ALJ’s decision in Dr. _______'s appeal. The ALJ invalidated the QIC's extrapolation, where most of the dollars were. Fortunately, and thanks to HLN's earlier work, the QIC upheld most of the claims in the sample, so we only had to appeal the small number of QIC-denied sample claims. The victory is sweet, because it completes the vindication of Dr. ______ who had been indicted for his billing. The indictment was thrown out, and about 98% of the total dollar amount of his claims were upheld." (James P. Kelly, Esq. with The Kelly Law Firm, Atlanta, GA)

“The trial court granted our motion for summary judgment, giving us a total victory, and the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision for the most part. You have done a great job for us. I hope we don't get to trial but I am glad we have you in case we do.” (William Noland, Esq. with James Bates in Macon, GA in a reasonableness of medical charges case)

"The _____ case has settled. [HLN's report] caused the Plaintiff and his attorneys to become more realistic about the case and settlement negotiations. We appreciate all of your hard work, it was instrumental in helping us to get this matter resolved amicably. I hope we have an opportunity to work together again in the future. (Torrey D. Smith, Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Atlanta)

"Thank you for serving as one of our expert witnesses in [this medical malpractice case]. We appreciate your professionalism and expertise. We would certainly be willing to retain you for future cases relating to your areas of expertise." (Eddie H. Cooper, Esq., Atlanta, GA)

"My firm and I thank you and HLN for your excellent professional service. Your expert report and court testimony was persuasive evidence and was instrumental in the jury’s unanimous decision in our favor." (Mike Walker, Esq. with Hopkins & Hubner, Davenport, IA)

Here is a quote from an opinion issued by U.S. District Court (NJ) Judge Jerome Simandle in Landau v. Lucasti, Civil No. 06-1229: "Mr. Blount is qualified to testify as an expert on Medicare reimbursement and billing issues. He possesses specialized knowledge, based on his over thirty years extensive experience as a healthcare auditor addressing Medicare reimbursement concerns and through his published works."