Internationally known medical device manufacturer obtains favorable ruling from federal government

Situation

Our successful medical device manufacturer client had established trusted relationships with operating room doctors. The company's experts routinely provided guidance on the right size and shape of devices to be implanted during surgery, working closely with surgeons.

After passage of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), patients' medical information became confidential, and the long-time practice of advising doctors while they worked was in jeopardy. As a result, our client's business was threatened.

Approach

When the client came to us, the company had retained an expert team of lawyers who had been striving to obtain a ruling from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by writing emails, letters, and memos. These efforts had not been successful. With little time, the medical device manufacturer needed to REACH the right person to provide guidance on how to attain a favorable ruling on this serious issue.

Stricklin and Associates arranged a meeting with key directors and staff at HHS in Washington, D.C. We facilitated the discussion regarding the complicated issues about the rights of patients and doctors.

Result

The meeting allowed our client to tell its story in a way no letter or memo could ever do. Ultimately the agency provided a ruling that took into account our client's unique and specialized situation. The resulting victory was not only for the company, but for physicians and patients whose lives are improved by advanced medical procedures and devices.