Law Office of Debra A. Spicer, P.C.


V I T A E

 
Professional Experience

Education

Awards & Presentations

Memberships & Associations

 

Debra A. Spicer has a well-deserved reputation as a leading expert in the health law field. An active member of the Detroit legal community, Spicer is frequently invited to lecture on topics of interest to health law professionals. She presently serves as Chairperson of the Medical/Legal Committee of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society.

A member of the State Bar since 1984, Debra A. Spicer is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.


Professional Experience

  • Developed general health law practice focusing on defense of state and federal fraud investigations, licensure, compliance issues, reimbursement, third party payor audits and coordination of benefits

  • Conducted internal investigations of hospitals/health care delivery systems

  • Extensive representation of hospitals in third party payor issues including state and federal fraud investigations

  • Representation of physicians, group practices, dialysis centers and home health centers

  • Ongoing contact with Attorney General's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Inspector General, Health & Human Services, Health Care Finance Administration and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

  • Practiced extensively in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals

  • Handled complex litigation focusing on breach of contract, fraud, coordination of benefits, provider audit and medical policy interpretation

  • Handled labor litigation, including arbitrations, focusing on wrongful discharge and civil rights complaints

  • Handled the defense of highly sensitive and controversial cases involving bone marrow transplants, including a class action comprised of women with breast cancer

  • Representation of physicians in administrative disciplinary actions and credentialling appeals

  • Analyzed and interpreted collective bargaining agreements

  • Developed corporate policy relative to employment practices

  • Involved in legal professional liability insurance and risk management programs throughout the state of Michigan

  • Administered risk analyses for individual law firms including in-house and state wide loss prevention seminars

Education

  • LL.M. in Labor Law, Wayne State University Law School, December 1993

  • J.D., Thomas M. Cooley Law School, May 1984

  • B.B.A., Eastern Michigan University, April 1978

Awards & Presentations

  • Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Physicians and Deselection", March 4, 2005

  • Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Third Party Payor Audits and Deselection", March 4, 2004

  • Faculty, The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, Healthcare Conference, "Defense of Fraud Investigations: A Case Study", May 1, 2003

  • Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Third Party Audits", March 7, 2003

  • Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Defense of Investigations: A Nuts and Bolts Primer", March 9, 2001

  • Lecturer, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee, "Medical Malpractice Settlements: The Licensing Impact", October 2000

  • Faculty, Michigan Health Information Management Association, "How To Handle A Government Investigation", May 22, 2000

  • Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Anatomy of a Qui Tam Action", March 2000

  • Chairperson of the Year, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, 1998-1999

  • Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Defense of Third-Party Payor Audits", March 1999

  • Moderator, U.S. Attorney Panel, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee, "Health Care Fraud and Abuse-The Prosecution", April 1999

  • Moderator, FBI/BCBSM Panel, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee, "Health Care Fraud and Abuse-The Investigation", March 1999

  • Moderator, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee, "Health Care Fraud and Abuse-Who's Looking at Your Practice", November 1998

  • Frequent Lecturer, DPIC, "Avoiding Legal Malpractice", 1995 - 1997

Memberships & Associations

Professional Admissions

  • State Bar of Michigan, November 1984 (P37172)

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, March 1985

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, January 1995

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, June 1992

Health Care Committee/Board Appointments

  • Member, Board of Trustees, St. John Home Care (2000 - present)

  • Chairperson, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee (1998 - present)

  • Member, State Bar of Michigan, Medical/Legal Problems Committee (1997 - 2002)

  • Member, Oakland County Bar Association, Medical/Legal Committee, Insurance Subcommittee (1997 - present)

  • Chairperson, Oakland County Bar Association, Medical/Legal Committee, Domestic Violence Subcommittee (1999 - 2002)

Other Committee Assignments

  • Member, State Bar of Michigan, Standing Committee on Character & Fitness (1990 - 1995)

  • Member, State Bar of Michigan, District Committee on Character & Fitness (1988 - 1990)

  • Member, State Bar of Michigan, Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance Committee (1995)

  • Member, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyer Committee (1986 - 1989)

  • Member, Detroit Athletic Club, Athletic Committee (2002 - 2005)

Professional Memberships

  • Member, State Bar of Michigan, Health Law Section (1996 - present)

  • Member, American Health Lawyers Association (1996 - present)

  • Member, State Bar of Michigan, Administrative Law Section (1996 - present)

  • Member, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association (1985 - present)

  • Member, Oakland County Bar Association (1997 - present)

 



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