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Kathleen H. Drummy

Partner

T 213.633.6870 Los Angeles
My clients appreciate my fluency in "regulatory," developed over more than 40 years of experience.
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Kathy Drummy represents healthcare clients in complex proceedings and projects where there may not be a conventional pathway — her legal acumen and industry familiarity help foster successful outcomes. Over the course of more than four decades, she has been advising healthcare clients during periods of unparalleled regulatory evolution and economic uncertainty. Kathy's regulatory background and knowledge base is broad — including virtually all matters relating to the Medicare and Medicaid programs; compliance with federal, state, and local healthcare laws and regulations; and interactions with government regulators — and is valuable in both structuring compliant transactions and in litigation with the government and other healthcare entities in payment or contract disputes, False Claims Act cases, payment and licensing or accreditation administrative appeals, and bankruptcy proceedings. She has handled matters involving various federal and California agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the California Departments of Health Care Services, Departments of Public Health, Mental Health, Social Services, and Education and numerous California counties.

Kathy's clients range from general acute hospitals, specialty hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities to FQHCs, hospices, home health agencies, and mental healthcare providers. She is grateful both for the many long-standing relationships she has enjoyed many of with her clients and for their endorsements.

Practice Highlights

Healthcare regulatory compliance and response to regulatory compliance deficiency actions, such as CMS statements of deficiencies

Kathy regularly employs her regulatory knowledge in assisting clients in designing and implementing internal compliance programs, in conducting internal compliance audits, in making disclosures to the government, and in responding to and appealing overpayment demands and enforcement actions.

Behavioral/mental health counsel

Kathy has a longtime interest in the behavioral and mental health service arena, as she has a Master's Degree in Psychology, and represents providers along the continuum of such services, from inpatient to outpatient to community mental health in contract negotiations with government and commercial payers, licensing and accreditation matters, administrative appeals, and general compliance matters.

Licensing/certification/ accreditations

Kathy has assisted many organizations in assessing whether and what type of licensure/certification/accreditation is necessary, in becoming licensed/certified/accredited, and in maintain that status, including appealing administrative actions to revoke or terminate such status.

False Claims Act defense for variety of providers

Obtained dismissal of all claims with prejudice in False Claims Act case including kickback allegations and allegations of unnecessary laboratory testing for kidney transplants. (2017)

Healthcare litigation

Obtained a dismissal of a class action involving the Medicare Secondary Payment rules (upheld by the 9th Circuit). (2017)

MIA litigation

Achieved favorable result for Stanislaus County in litigation challenging its Medically Indigent Adult Program. (2014)

False Claims Act defense for variety of providers

Obtained dismissal of False Claims Act case involving allegations that a Medicare Advantage plan improperly handled Medicare payments for ambulance services. (2013)

Medicare and Medicaid administrative appeals

Representing major hospital systems in numerous administrative and judicial appeals with successful resolutions. (Ongoing)
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Admitted to Practice

  • California, 1977
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, 1977
    • Moot Court Honors Program
    • Executive Editor, UCLA-Alaska Law Review
    • Judicial Internship, U.S. District Court, Judge Harry Pregerson, Central District, California, 1976
  • M.A., Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, 1974
  • B.A., Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, 1973

Memberships & Affiliations

    • American Health Lawyers Association

Professional Recognition

    • Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Healthcare (California) by Chambers USA, 2007-2020, 2022-2024
    • Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Health Care Law by Best Lawyers, 2008-present 
    • Selected to "Southern California Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters, 2005-2006, 2008-2019

Background

    • Partner, Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP
    • Partner, McDermott, Will & Emery
    • Partner, Memel, Jacobs, Pierno, Gersh & Ellsworth
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