Susan J. Freed
CONCENTRATION
Susan is a senior shareholder at the Davis Brown Law Firm where she practices in the areas of health law and employee benefits. She is also the current chair of the firm's Business Division and was formerly the chair of the Health Law Department. She practices in the firm's Des Moines office.
Health Law
In her health law practice, Susan represents a wide variety of health care providers-including physicians, hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, and county facilities-with respect to transactional, reimbursement, and regulatory issues. She drafts contracts, employment agreements, physician recruitment agreements, corporate documents and corporate policies. In addition, she counsels clients on various health law issues including health care reform, fraud and abuse, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, EMTALA, managed care contracts, and confidentiality laws. In connection with her health law practice, Susan also handles surrogacy arrangements.
Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
Susan's employee benefits practice consists of advising employers on employee welfare benefit issues including ERISA, COBRA and HIPAA, and assisting individuals in appealing claims denied by their health insurance carriers.
In addition to her health law and employee benefits practice, Susan counsels federal government contractors on their affirmative action requirements and assists them in drafting and implementing affirmative action plans.
Davis Brown Health Care Reform Blog
Susan authors the Davis Brown Health Care Reform Blog. She provides up-to-date information about health care reform-including updates on the federal government's implementation of the Affordable Care Act, new regulations, recently issued guidance and enforcement updates, as well as issues specific to the State of Iowa.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
- The Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law
- Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A, Iowa Ranked Up & Coming, 2013
PUBLICATIONS, SPEECHES AND SEMINARS
Susan is a frequent presenter on health law and employee benefit issues including, wellness programs, HIPAA, and employee benefit issues.
- Health Care Reform & Public Employers, Iowa Public Employer Labor Relations Association, September 2012.
- HIPAA Compliance for LTC Staff, Iowa Health Care Association Webinar, January 2012.
- Health Care Reform Update, Iowa Workforce Development, October 2011.
- Stark Law Compliance in 2011, Iowa Medical Group Management Association, September 2011.
- Health Care Reform: What to Expect Now & In the Future, Iowa Hospital Association, October 2010.
- "What Does Federal Health Care Legislation Mean For Your Business," Greater Des Moines Partnership panel presentation, May 2010.
- Employee Benefits Section, Iowa Bar Association's Business Law Manual, co-author.
- Employee Benefit Section of the Iowa Human Resources Manual for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, co-author.
community
Susan serves on the board of directors of the Wellness Council of Iowa and serves as the president of the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation. Susan was recently appointed to serve on the Iowa Department of Health e-Health Research Committee, a workgroup charged with providing the Director with advice and feedback on potential research uses of data being exchanged through Iowa’s Health Information Network. She is also a graduate of the 2002-2003 class of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and a 2011 graduate of the West Des Moines Leadership Academy.
Of note
Susan was an adjunct professor at the Drake University Law School and taught a health law course for four years.
ACADEMICS
Susan earned her law degree with a certificate in health law from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois.
Memberships
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American Bar Association
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American Health Lawyers Association
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Iowa State Bar Association
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Polk County Bar Association
Alma Maters
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DePaul University College of Law, 1999
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University of Iowa, 1996
Bar Admissions
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Illinois, 2000
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Iowa, 1999
Articles