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 the former chair of both the firm's Business Division and 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 the Affordable Care Act, ERISA, COBRA and HIPAA. She drafts and reviews a variety of plan documents and summary plan descriptions and also assists employers with implementing the Affordable Care Act and other regulatory changes.
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© 2019, Health Care Law. Susan has been ranked by Best Lawyers since 2012.
- Chambers USA, Corporate/M&A, Iowa Ranked Up & Coming, 2013
- 2013 Great Plains Super Lawyers “Rising Star” - Health Care
PUBLICATIONS, SPEECHES AND SEMINARS
Susan is a frequent presenter on health law and employee benefit issues including, wellness programs, HIPAA, and employee benefit issues.
- “Patients in Limbo - Awaiting Patient Placement,” with Jo Ellen Whitney, Davis Brown Spring Seminar, April 2018.
- “ACA Updates and Trends,” with Ed Brown, Iowa Clinic, 2Know Workshop, April 2017.
- “ACA Repeal/Repair Update,” Iowa Bankers Insurance and Services, April 2017.
- "You Want How Much to Move the Piano Here? Issues in Contracting, Hiring, and Retaining Medical Providers," with Jo Ellen Whitney, Davis Brown Spring Seminar, April 2017.
- "The Future of Health Care Reform & What it Means for Employers," Davis Brown Spring Seminar, April 2017.
- “Employee Benefits Update,” Davis Brown Spring Seminar, April 2016.
- “Managed Care Contracting,” Davis Brown Spring Seminar, April 2016.
- “PPACA Employer Reporting Requirements-Forms 1094-C and 1095-C,” Central Iowa Society of Human Resource Management, September 2015.
- "Reducing Your Whistleblower Risk," Davis Brown Spring Seminar, April 2015.
- "ACA Update: 6055/6056 Reporting," Davis Brown Spring Seminar, April 2015.
- 6055/6056 Reporting Webinar, Group Benefits, Ltd, January 2015.
- 6055/6056 Reporting, Benefit Source, January 2015.
- Health Care Reform Update, Iowa Public Employer Labor Relations Association, December 2014.
- Affordable Care Act: 10 Things to Watch in 2015, Davis Brown Health Law Seminar, November 2014.
- Best Practices in Physician and Mid-Level Employment Agreements, Davis Brown Health Law Seminar, November 2014.
- Health Care Reform Update, Iowa CEBS Annual Symposium, August 2014.
- What’s in Store for 2014 and Beyond, Davis Brown Employment Law Seminar, April 2014.
- Employer Mandate: What do the New Rules Mean for your Company?, Webinar, February 2014.
- 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 served on the boards of directors of the Wellness Council of Iowa and 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
Alma Maters
Bar Admissions
Articles