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Mary Beth F. Johnston

Mary Beth Johnston concentrates her practice exclusively in health law, representing major academic medical centers, hospital and health systems, accountable care organizations and provider networks, and pharmacy and clinical laboratory providers.

As a result of this diversified practice, her proficiency extends to federal and state regulatory compliance matters, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, FCA and internal investigations, faculty practice plan and other physician compensation models, provider network development and managed care, and health care corporate governance matters. She likewise maintains an active transactional practice, representing clients on hospital acquisitions and joint ventures, as well as health system development and reorganizations. She is an active author and speaker on critical issues affecting the health care industry.

  • Best Lawyers’ Health Care Lawyer of the Year Raleigh/RTP Area – 2011 and 2016
  • Chambers USA Healthcare - North Carolina (Band 1), 2017-2021
  • American Bar Association Foundation Fellow
  • Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law, 1998-2020
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, Health Care Law, 2006, 2008-2020
  • Nightingale Healthcare News’ Outstanding Hospital Lawyer, 2009
  • 2006 Woman Extraordinaire, Business Leader Magazine
  • American Bar Association (Health Law Section's eHealth and Privacy Interest Group, Vice-Chair 2000-2003)
  • HIPAA Implementation Planning Task Force (North Carolina Healthcare Information and Communications Alliance, Inc., 2001-2002)
  • North Carolina Bar Association (Health Law Section Former Council Member)
  • North Carolina Society of Health Care Attorneys (Past President
  • Wake County Bar Association, Voluntary Lawyers Program, 1990 and 1994 Pro Bono Award
  • “DOJ's Fraud Initiatives as a Result of COVID-19 and How Health Care Providers Should Prepare,” K&L Gates Town Hall, 24 August 2020
  • “COVID-19: Health Law Disruption,” AHLA special webinar mini-series, 2020
  • “Strategic Approaches to the 340B Program in a Dynamic Regulatory Environment,” Consero Healthcare General Counsel Forum, October 2017
  • “Hot Topics in Health Care Law,” K&L Gates Webinar, February 2017
  • “After Anthem: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, and Cyber-Resilience for the Health Care Sector,” seminar and webinar, May 2015
  • “Navigating the Maze of Ownership Changes – Emphasis on Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Strategies,” American Health Lawyers Association, Healthcare Transactions Program, April 2013 & 2014
  • “Sunshine Act Compliance,” medical device client webinars, May and June 2013
  • “Medical/Legal Update,” 37th Annual Emery C. Miller Medical Symposium, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, August 2008
  • “Legal, Ethical & Compliance Issues in Palliative Care,” The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care, December 2007
  • “Stark II and Anti-Kickback Law Update,” Health Care Compliance Association, Southeastern Division, May 2005
  • “Hot Legal Issues,” 54th Annual Meeting, North Carolina Health Information and Management Association, May 2004
  • “HIPAA Update,” American Bar Association, Health Law Section, Washington, D.C., November 2003
  • “Hot Legal Issues,” Hospital Leaders Institute, North Carolina Hospital Association, April 2003
  • “HIPAA,” CED Healthcare Entrepreneurial Roundtable, September 2002
Additional Thought Leadership Pages
  • "Complicated Kickback Arrangements Between Vendors and Providers for Items and Services Paid for by Federal Health Care Programs,” Journal of Health & Life Sciences Law Vol. 11, No. 3, June 2018
  • Co-author, Health Care Institutions: Chapter 87, Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, Fourth Edition, December 2016
  • “Real Estate Industry Appraisal Practice versus Federal Health Care Regulations,” co-authored, Journal of Health & Life Sciences Law Vol. 9, No. 2, February 2016
  • “Hurdles to Health Care Reform,” co-authored, National Law Journal, September 2009
  • "Human Subject Research," Chapter 13, The North Carolina Patient and Provider Rights Guide, North Carolina Hospital Association, 4th Edition, 2006 
  • "HIPAA – Backwards and Forwards," Corporate Counsel, North Carolina Bar Association, June 2004
  • "Developments in Long Term Care," Prognosis, NCBA Health Section and North Carolina Society of Healthcare Attorneys, June 2004 
  • "Electronic Health Records," Health Information and Technology Practice Guide, 2nd Edition, American Heath Lawyers Association, April 2003
  • "HIPAA Administrative Simplification," The Health Lawyer, January 2002
Additional News & Event Pages
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