Deborah Samenow

Deborah Samenow

Of Counsel
About

Deborah Samenow advises healthcare and life sciences companies on complex reimbursement and coverage matters. A former Health & Human Services (HHS) administrative judge, she guides healthcare industry clients through Medicare and Medicaid audits and appeals, overpayment disputes, billing and coding issues, reimbursement strategies, and other healthcare regulatory matters such as those associated with provider enrollment and credentialing, internal and external audits and investigations, risk management, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance reviews and investigations, telehealth, digital health, fraud and abuse, and corporate practice of medicine considerations. Deborah counsels clients through complex healthcare transactions, regulatory and compliance matters, government enforcement, and litigation.

She has extensive experience advising clients in the healthcare and life sciences sectors including physician groups, medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, durable medical equipment suppliers, pharmacies, laboratories, digital health businesses, substance use disorder providers, healthcare adjacent technology companies, as well as institutional providers, hospitals, and health systems. She assists clients on effectively navigating regulatory hurdles and managing risk so that they can focus on patient care.

During her tenue as an administrative judge with HHS, Deborah adjudicated Medicare claims on appeal from the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals and issued final agency decisions on behalf of the Secretary of HHS. Before serving as a Judge, she was Deputy Director of the division that supports the Medicare Appeals Council. In that role, she collaborated with leadership on internal rulemaking, policy formation, and operational management within the Department.

Bar admissionsDistrict of ColumbiaMaryland

EXPERIENCE

  • Assisted healthcare providers and suppliers in complex Medicare and Medicaid provider enrollment compliance matters
  • Represented Medicare suppliers in all stages of appeals arising from unified program integrity contractor (UPIC) audits, including before the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals
  • Represented a global healthcare services and products company in connection with an over US$1 billion acquisition of leading national durable medical equipment suppliers
  • Advised private equity sponsors in connection with investments in physician practice groups, long-term care facilities, and other providers and suppliers in the healthcare space
  • Assisted client in buying and selling senior living facilities, served as licensing counsel for related transactions
  • Advised health care companies on federal and commercial payor enrollment policies and procedures
  • Represented health care clients in Medicare revocation appeals and provider enrollment disputes with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
  • Negotiated settlements with payors on various reimbursement disputes on behalf of health care clients
Education
  • J.D., University of Maryland School of Law
  • B.A., University of Wisconsin – Madison

Publications

Seminars

  • "Life Cycle of a Medicare Claim Appeal," Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues, The American Health Law Association (AHLA), March 2024; March 2025

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