Aligned Health Law

AHL is a women-owned and led, boutique health-law firm that brings together decades of experience, knowledge, and strategic counsel from diverse backgrounds to serve healthcare services and technology clients from emerging and high-growth companies to established Fortune 500s.

We are transactional, regulatory, and technology lawyers advising on all aspects of today’s complex healthcare landscape. Our team helps clients navigate and manage risk within an ever-evolving framework of state and federal laws. Our expertise spans state and federal fraud and abuse laws, traditional Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, innovative payment and care delivery models, state licensure requirements, fee-splitting and corporate practice restrictions, data privacy and security obligations, and the rapidly developing regulatory environment for artificial intelligence and machine learning.

More than legal advisers, we act as strategic thought partners to our healthcare services, technology-enabled services, and technology clients. Grounded in our values, we take a practical, business-oriented approach and serve as trusted outside general counsel to many of our clients, supporting them through all stages of growth and transformation.

Purpose, Vision, Values

AHL is a values-led law firm grounded in the belief that practice of law is a team, not individual, “sport”.AHL fundamentally rejects the scarcity mindset and believes that “rising tides float all boats”.We are building a firm that champions one another and celebrates each attorney showing up authentically every day. We take time to recognize and celebrate our client and individuals wins, support each other through challenges, present each other and our clients with opportunities, and are championing a culture that allows each attorney to prioritize their own unique career and personal goals.

Our purpose is to provide high quality legal services in a sustainable manner to help healthcare leaders and innovators get to yes so they can move their businesses forward.

Our vision is to revolutionize the way legal services are provided through the creation of a best-in-class law firm that embodies a “we” mentality that directly contributes to our clients’ transformation of the healthcare delivery system.

Our values are:

• Authenticity
• Humility
• Gratitude
• Levity
• Openness

Managing scrutiny and risk on investor structure. referral sources. and payor credentialing and negotiations.

Our team routinely represents ancillary and specialty service providers such as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), distributors, DMEPOS suppliers, and laboratories. AHL has immense expertise counselling these clients on complex regulatory issues such investor structure, navigating relationships with referral sources in accordance with federal and state fraud and abuse laws, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, payor credentialing and negotiations, and participation in value-based care models.

Thought-partners in understanding the evolving web of state and federal privacy laws.

We help clients understand the evolving web of state and federal privacy laws (including, HIPAA, HITECH, state healthcare consumer privacy laws, and FTC considerations) and guide them through best practices for data privacy and security governance. We counsel our services and technology clients on privacy and security best practices, and provide guidance on policies and procedures, privacy and security training, data mapping, data retention, vendor contracts, and the risks of not having an adequate privacy program in place in today’s data-heavy environment.

As healthcare evolves and care shifts into homes, we help digital health and technology–enabled services companies, including telehealth platforms, health IT applications, mobile health providers, and related service companies, set up and conduct operations in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations—including state corporate practice doctrines, fee-splitting, privacy and security requirements. We also help our clients navigate reimbursement hurdles and structure and negotiate strategic partnerships in connection with B2B go-to-market strategies.

We represent the builders—and the backers—redefining healthcare.

From digital health startups to life sciences ventures and the funds that invest in them, we offer sharp, efficient legal guidance tailored to the pace of innovation.Whether you're building in stealth or raising a growth round,our targetedlegal strategy and real-world experiencewillhelp you move fast, stay protected, and grow on your terms.

Our ECVC practice supports startups through every stage, from day zero to scaleandthroughexits. We’ve advised first-time foundersandserial entrepreneurs. From pre-seed digital health startups to scaling biotech and life sciences companies, weunderstand the unique pressures of building in a highly regulated, capital-intensive space and we know how to keep you moving without slowing your momentum.

On the investor side, we advise venture funds, corporate investors, and family offices investing across the health innovation spectrum. We help navigatefund formation,deal structuring, diligence, portfolio strategy, and ongoing governance, always with a view toward risk, return, and long-term alignment.

What sets us apart? We move at startup speed, prioritize clarity over jargon, and treat your business like our own.You’ll getthoughtful counsel,clearandpractical advice,straight answers, and a long-term partner in your corner.

Healthcare entities navigate complex state and federal laws and regulations on a daily basis. We represent national and regional multi-hospital health systems, sole community providers, integrated payor/provider systems, pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, group purchasing organizations, hospital-physician joint ventures, urgent care centers, physician practices, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, nursing homes, home health providers, hospice, and other specialty providers with their regulatory and transactional needs. Our integrated regulatory services include mergers and acquisitions, strategic alignments and joint ventures, co-development arrangements, management services arrangements, channel partnership and other strategic affiliations, corporate compliance, as well as compliance programs, audits, investigations.

We have decades of experience in all key regulatory areas of healthcare, including federal and state anti-kickback and self-referral laws, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, the 340B drug-pricing program, patient data privacy and security (including HIPAA, HITECH, and state privacy considerations), state corporate practice of medicine and fee-splitting, state facility licensure, and state and federal self-disclosure protocols. These and other laws, regulations, agency guidelines, advisory opinions, manuals, and court decisions impact ongoing operations as well as the timing, structure, and risk of strategic transactions and business opportunities and we can help you navigate them.

Continuously providing legal counsel to emerging and rapidly growing companies in the healthcare sector.

Our team has deep expertise in working with innovative startups, disruptive technologies, and early-stage companies in areas such as care management services (RPM, CCM, TCM), medical devices, digital health, pharmacy services, healthcare AI/ML, and health IT. We assist healthcare entrepreneurs and companies with a full range of legal services, including:

• Corporate Formation & Governance: Guiding founders through the formation process, structuring the company, and establishing sound governance practices.
• Financing & Capital Raising: Through our partner firms, we assist our rapidly growing healthcare companies with venture capital, private equity investments, and strategic partnerships, ensuring compliance with securities laws and investor relations.
• Regulatory Compliance & Licensing: Navigating federal and state fraud and abuse laws, HIPAA compliance and state privacy laws, reimbursement issues, and licensing.
• Mergers, Acquisitions, & Exits: Offering strategic advice and legal support for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and exit strategies as companies scale.

Our goal is to be a trusted partner in your company’s growth journey, providing the legal support and insights needed to help you thrive in a competitive and highly regulated industry.

Expertly advising on day-to-day healthcare regulatory matters.

AHL attorneys have decades of experience representing and providing counsel to hospitals and health systems across the ecosystem, including multi-campus general acute-care hospitals, academic medical centers, integrated payor-provider systems, long-term acute-care hospitals, comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, and psychiatric and substance-abuse inpatient facilities.We regularly counsel our hospital clients on day-to-day regulatory and compliance matters, including federal and state fraud and abuse laws such as the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties Law, Medicare/Medicaid requirements and reimbursement, licensure and accreditation, telemedicine, HIPAA and other laws impacting healthcare operations, including tax exemption laws and antitrust. In addition, we have extensive experience leading compliance investigations and audits. We also routinely advise clients in connection with strategic physician alignments, including professional services arrangements, medical director agreements, joint ventures, among other strategic relationships.

Our attorneys are up to date on legislative affairs and political changes that impact our clients.We are active members of healthcare organizations that keep us abreast of ever-changing regulations and are able to assist our clients to remain proactive in the regulatory space.

Tailored approaches to empower hospitals and health systems.

Our team brings decades of extensive experience in advising hospitals, health systems (nonprofits, for-profits, as well as academics) and integrated payor/provider systems through the complexities of care. We provide comprehensive services to our hospital and health system clients, including helping our clients with acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, tax-exemption matters, licensure and accreditation matters, professional services, physician and advanced practice provider alignment, compliance with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rules, navigating state and federal fraud and abuse laws, HIPAA and other state and federal data privacy laws, as well as corporate compliance program matters, and IRB compliance.

With constant changes in the reimbursement landscape, alongside a steady shift to value-based care, healthcare leaders and investors continue to look for innovative partnerships through mergers, acquisitions and strategic affiliations/joint ventures to improve quality of care and delivery, financial outcomes, and operational efficiencies.Likewise, the uncertainty of the reimbursement landscape, coupled with market fluctuations, has created a ripe environment for consolidation as healthcare providers look to survive industry changes.Part and parcel with structuring innovative partnerships, acquisitions and other strategic affiliations are the regulatory hurdles that parties face when structuring these arrangements.

AHL has decades of experience representing clients across the healthcare ecosystem that pursue consolidation as well as those seeking other means of collaboration, alignment, innovation, and improving quality of care, efficiencies, and cost savings.We leverage our significant transactional and healthcare experience to help our healthcare clients determine the optimal structure of strategic transactions, acquisitions / sales, joint venture arrangements, and other affiliations.

We integrate transactional, regulatory and industry-specific expertise, and have significant experience advising clients on these matters.Our cross-functional approach enables our attorneys to anticipate change and craft creative solutions that avoid redundancy and delay, so that transactions are executed in a timely, cost-effective manner. We work closely with our clients’ business teams to negotiate and prepare straightforward, strong, definitive agreements that minimize risk and achieve our clients’ objectives. For our buyer clients, we craft and operationalize effective due diligence processes designed to evaluate risk and ensure our clients understand the legal and regulatory issues involved.

Unlike many M&A attorneys, we also assist our clients with post-closing operations, including transitional services agreements, management agreements, and required notices. Our integrated transactional and regulatory approach is designed to find a way to YES, in which our team helps move the transaction forward and succeed beyond the closing.

We serve as outside general counsel for established and emerging healthcare companies. For established companies, we structure our services to optimally support ongoing operations and strategic plans. For emerging companies, we tailor our services and fees to support our clients’ changing needs as they build, grow, and scale. We provide counsel on applicable legal requirements and help build connections with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, specialty business advisors, and others. We have experience on the inside and understand the needs and demands of early-stage companies. For clients with in-house capabilities, we provide focused, seamless guidance to supplement available expertise.

More than lawyers, at Aligned Health Law (AHL) we are strategic collaborative thought partners and advisors. Beyond essential healthcare law services, our comprehensive approach delivers creative solutions and greater opportunities for healthcare businesses looking to grow.

We assist retail, specialty and mail order pharmacy providers in drafting and negotiating payor contracts with pharmacy benefit managers, insurance companies, employers and governmental agencies.Our expertise includes payor reimbursement laws, the 340B drug-pricing program, and negotiating complex pharmaceutical contracts for services such as: discount cards; clinical services; vaccination administration; medication therapy management; adherence programs; and, several other pharmaceutical initiatives.

Specialty providers and organizations such as group purchasing organizations, labs, pharmacies, and durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) companies, have unique business, regulatory, and transactional needs. We routinely counsel specialty providers and suppliers, helping them identify and mitigate risks, navigate unique statutory schemes, implement needed compliance safeguards, and negotiate commercial contracts.

Healthcare Practitioners

Representing bold practitioners.

We counsel healthcare professionals and group practices —including physicians, dentists, and non-physician practitioners—navigating the unique challenges of their practices. Our experienced team offers trusted counsel, ensuring you remain focused on providing exceptional care while we manage the legal complexities that impact your career and business. We offer comprehensive legal services tailored to your needs, including:

• Practice Formation and Structuring: Assisting with the formation, structuring, and organization of medical and dental practices, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and creating efficient business frameworks.
• Licensing and Regulatory Compliance: Navigating complex healthcare regulations, including licensure, scope of practice, and compliance with federal and state healthcare laws such as HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid.
• Employment and Compensation: Advising on employment agreements, physician and non-physician practitioner compensation models, and non-compete clauses.
• Healthcare Fraud and Abuse: Evaluating common healthcare arrangements that present a risk, fraud, abuse, or violations of the False Claims Act, Stark Law, and Anti-Kickback Statute, while ensuring compliance with healthcare laws.
• Partnerships, Mergers, and Acquisitions: Providing strategic legal support for practice mergers, acquisitions, and transitions, including guidance on buy-ins, buy-outs, and succession planning.
• Selling to Private Equity: Representing healthcare group practices in the sale of their practices to private equity firms, ensuring smooth transactions, compliance with regulatory requirements, and maximizing the value of their practice.
• Management Services Organizations (MSOs): Representing "friendly physicians" who are considering or entering contractual arrangements with Management Services Organizations (MSOs), ensuring that these agreements align with regulatory requirements and the practitioners' long-term goals.

Counseling through the nuances in aligning MSOs with healthcare practitioners while maximizing growth and ensuring legal compliance.

We offer comprehensive services for MSOs, including:

• Regulatory Compliance: Advising MSOs and healthcare professionals on State Corporate Practice of Medicine doctrines, fee-splitting and patient brokering prohibitions, as well as potentially applicable federal regulations like Stark Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and HIPAA.
• Transaction Structuring and Negotiation: Providing strategic advice on the structuring of MSO agreements, including the financial, operational, and governance aspects, to ensure that both the MSO and affiliated practitioners benefit from the arrangement.
• Entity Formation and Governance: Assisting with the creation of professional entities (PCs) and MSOs, guiding the structuring of corporate entities in accordance with licensing and state laws, and establishing governance and operational frameworks.
• Financial and Compensation Models: Structuring fair and compliant compensation arrangements for physicians and other healthcare providers, including management fees and physician compensation plans.
• Health IT and Data Compliance: Advising on the implementation of data privacy strategies and compliance with data privacy regulations, including HIPAA, when handling patient data in MSO arrangements.

Counseling our clients through identifying and managing risks.

We assist clients in managing risk by assessing indemnification and risk transfer provisions in agreements. We also guide clients through their insurance policies or obligations, as well as their obligations to comply with contractual requirements, and in identifying risks associated with certain business decisions and strategies.

Companies sometimes reach an impasse and find themselves needing to enforce their legal rights or defend a claim made against them.We have experience helping clients resolve disputes, from advising on legal rights to addressing claims in court.We counsel clients through their options for seeking to resolve disputes, including mediation, addressing demand letters, filing or responding to lawsuits, and settlement agreements.

Providing trusted and experienced counsel through the transition to value-based care.

At AHL, we understand that as payors and providers transition to value-based care models, risk sharing arrangements, and other alternative payment strategies, trusted and experienced healthcare counsel is critical in navigating the regulatory complexities. Our team has deep expertise in providing strategic guidance to providers and payors related to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), Clinical Integrated Networks (CINs), Independent Practice Associates (IPAs), and other clinically integrated provider networks. We assist providers and payors with a full range of legal services, including:

• Formation of Clinically Integrated Provider Networks: Guiding providers through the formation process, structuring the network, developing a participating provider strategy, and establishing appropriate quality and governance practices.
• CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Programs (CMMI): Guiding providers in the organization and contracting for various CMMI programs, including MSSP ACOs, ACO REACH, and the GUIDE Model.
• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the intricate regulatory environment of the healthcare industry, including federal and state fraud and abuse laws, HIPAA compliance and state privacy laws, reimbursement and compensation issues, and antitrust considerations.
• Contract Strategy and Negotiation: Offering strategic advice and legal support for arrangements between providers and payors, developing provider network agreements and compensation methodologies under which providers have the opportunity to receive shared savings and other incentive payments.