Health Care Law

Underwood's Health Care Law Practice Group services the legal needs of health care professionals, covering a large spectrum of issues on a regional, state, and national basis. The uniquely qualified attorneys of our firm focus primarily in three areas: (1) hospital and hospital district representation; (2) long-term care; and (3) professional practice groups. Attorneys in this section of the firm have an in-depth knowledge of the regulatory nuances and legal ramifications associated with the rapidly changing arena of health law.

Long-Term Care

The firm's long-term care practice encompasses every aspect of federal and state regulation. The firm routinely advises and represents clients before federal regulatory agencies regardless of the state in which the need for representation arises. Underwood attorneys represent long-term care providers including appearances before the Texas Department of Human Services, professional licensure boards, and the Texas Attorney General's Office. In addition to experience in all state courts, the firm has experience in the myriad of issues related to Medicare, including counseling, litigation, and representation before Federal courts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Provider Reimbursement Review Board, Medicare carriers, and fiscal intermediaries.

Gavin J. Gadberry is general counsel to the Texas Health Care Association, a non-profit corporation made up of long-term care providers. Mr. Gadberry advises nursing facilities and multi-facility organizations on operations, management, and governmental issues.

Hospitals

The firm represents public hospitals and Texas hospital districts. While our attorneys work in virtually all areas, liability defense and medical staff credentialing are our largest practice areas. Mike H. Loftin and Alan Rhodes are the primary contacts for hospital matters.

Professional Practice Groups

Underwood attorneys assist physician, dental, and other health care groups. In the business area, our attorneys assist medical professionals as they deal with federal tax, state tax, asset protection, and buy-sell agreements in connection with their groups. James A. Besselman and Kelly Utsinger represent Texas Medical Liability Insurance Trust insureds. Our health law practice includes such areas as:

  • Antitrust counseling and litigation
  • Business organizations and contractual agreements
  • Contracts
  • Corporate compliance programs
  • Corporate practice of medicine
  • Environmental law
  • Fraud, illegal remunerations, Stark law, false claims, and civil sanctions
  • Home health agencies
  • Insurance and risk management
  • Integrated health care delivery systems and networks
  • Joint ventures, labor, and employment
  • Legislative and administrative health care lobbying
  • Long-term care and managed care
  • Medical staff credentialling
  • Professional licensure
  • Physician practice group issues
  • Real estate and construction matters
  • Reimbursement
  • Survey, licensure, certification, and grant requirements
  • White collar criminal law

The two attorneys primarily responsible for the firm's health law section are Alan Rhodes and Gavin J. Gadberry. Mr. Rhodes advises public hospitals and hospital districts. Mr. Gadberry represents long-term care professionals and their ancillary businesses. He is a frequent speaker at the American Health Lawyers Association, Long-Term Care and Law Seminars, and was recently published in the Long-Term Care Handbook, 2nd Edition.

Gavin J. Gadberry

Alan Rhodes

Mike H. Loftin

Kelly Utsinger

W. Wade Arnold

James A. Besselman

Slater Elza

Dan L. Schaap

Glen D. Sanborn

Chuck Mallard

Chad Pierce

Ann Manning