Sam Blackmar brings healthcare industry expertise and litigation experience to Nelson Hardiman. Sam has represented physicians, healthcare facilities, physicians’ associations and hospital systems in reimbursement arbitration and litigation in state and federal courts. Sam has also advised healthcare providers on a wide range of topics including regulatory compliance, board investigations, revenue cycle management, and payor disputes.
Industry Experience
Sam has worked extensively in the behavioral health reimbursement industry where he has guided mental health and addiction treatment facilities through a broad range of reimbursement-related issues. Specifically, Sam shepherded facilities through payor audits and investigations, developed appeals strategies for denied claims and overpayment recoupments, and advised clients on compliant clinical practices given the ever-evolving standards to which behavioral healthcare providers are held.
Healthcare Litigation Background
Prior to joining Nelson Hardiman, Sam represented physicians, mental health and addiction treatment providers, emergency room doctors and large hospital systems in reimbursement litigation. Sam has experience in State and Federal Court as well as in all major arbitration forums. Sam is well versed in ERISA preemption, usual customary and reasonable rate disputes, clinical standards, coding-related issues, mental health parity, participating provider agreement disputes, Knox-Keene Act Health Plans among others.
Beyond Reimbursement
Sam also helps clients with government investigations, employment disputes, corporate compliance, complex business litigation, zoning and land use disputes, and FDA compliance.
Deep Commitment to Access to Healthcare
Sam believes that an efficient healthcare ecosystem is critical to patients’ access to care. Sam also understands that the financial incentives at play in healthcare inevitably lead to disputes that require competent advocacy. Sam attended law school with the goal of using a legal education to meet the needs of healthcare stakeholders and ultimately improve the ability of Americans to get the healthcare they need without going bankrupt. In his role at Nelson Hardiman, Sam leverages his behavioral health and litigation experience to assist clients in both litigation and regulatory
Credentials
University of California, Irvine, B.A. Cum Laude; Phi Beta Kappa
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
State Bar of California
United States District Court for the Central District of California
American Health Law Association (AHLA)
Southern California Health Law Association