Overview

Doug Wolford is a healthcare attorney in Holland & Knight's Nashville office. Mr. Wolford assists a wide range of healthcare clients with regulatory compliance, day-to-day operations, Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) analysis, contract negotiations and other complex regulatory issues.

Mr. Wolford's experience includes a deep understanding of the day-to-day operational challenges that healthcare owners and operators face and how to incorporate healthcare regulatory compliance in a manner that is straightforward and understandable. He has a keen insight on balancing the business objectives of his clients with the often challenging operational and regulatory issues that can arise in various healthcare transactions and contractual negotiations with providers. Mr. Wolford also helps healthcare companies, investors and lenders to avoid and address legal and compliance issues related to the Stark Law, AKS, False Claims Act (FCA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical staff bylaws, licensure requirements, and other state and federal healthcare laws. Additionally, Mr. Wolford's experience includes providing direction and guidance following allegations or findings of significant non-compliance, whether that be leading internal investigations, submissions of self-disclosures, consulting on qui tam actions or providing compliance program review and development.

Previously, Mr. Wolford spent more than a decade on in-house legal teams at two of the largest publicly traded hospital companies in the United States, as well as practicing at one of the leading healthcare law firms in the country. During that time, he provided operational and regulatory guidance to a wide variety of investors, corporate departments, hospitals, clinics, physician practices and ancillary service providers throughout the country.

Representative Experience

  • Served as lead regulatory counsel for a national management service organization (MSO) platform's acquisition of physicians' clinics specializing in urology and radiation oncology practices
  • Represented a primary care-focused, private equity-backed MSO affiliate in acquisitions of West Coast physician groups
  • Advised a multispecialty physician organization comprised of 100-plus providers with transaction preparation and compliance-related issues
  • Advised a national dermatology-focused MSO platform regarding compliance issues and commercial payer appeal strategies
  • Represented an orthopedic surgery group in professional services agreement negotiations with a regional hospital system
  • Advised a multistate neurosurgery group regarding Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) compliance associated with a physician-owned hospital and professional service agreement with a healthcare system
  • Represented an ophthalmology practice in a sell-side transaction to a regional ophthalmology platform
  • Advised a national behavioral health-focused MSO platform regarding compliance issues and commercial payer strategies

  • Advised a publicly traded hospital and surgery center company on Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) compliance
  • Represented a publicly traded healthcare system client on various contractual and compliance issues, as well guidance on internal investigations
  • Advised physician-owned hospitals on AKS and Stark Law compliance
  • Advised a regional nonprofit children's hospital on referral source contracting strategies and compliance

  • Represented a national private equity-backed medical spa platform in its $45 million acquisition of an aesthetic medical chain with locations in five states
  • Served as lead regulatory counsel to a Midwest-based privately owned plastic surgery and aesthetic medical chain in transaction preparation and internal regulatory diligence
  • Advised multiple startup medical spa and wellness clinics on state licensure and corporate practice of medicine issues

  • Advised a startup Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) located in the Southeast on provider contract negotiations and PACE regulatory compliance
  • Advised a private equity-backed fund in transaction diligence of PACE provider located on the West Coast
  • Advised institutional lenders on various PACE program rules and compliance
  • Developed a compliance plan and advised a medical device and durable medical equipment manufacturer and supplier on regulatory compliance
  • Served as lead regulatory counsel for national medical device distributor and resupplier on strategic acquisitions
  • Advised a behavioral health provider on state healthcare regulatory compliance and clinical trial negotiations with a public university health system

Credentials

Education
  • Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.
  • Vanderbilt University, B.A., cum laude
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • Tennessee
Memberships
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA), Member; Hospitals and Health Systems Practice Group; Physician Organizations Practice Group; Regulation, Accreditation and Payment Practice Group; Fraud and Abuse Practice Group
  • Vanderbilt Black and Gold Club
  • Ann School, Future Planning Committee

Publications

Speaking Engagements