Education
University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 2000
Michigan State University, B.A., 1997, Political Science
Bar and Court Admissions
Michigan
Wisconsin
Johanna M. Novak
Johanna is a member of Foster Swift's Health Care Practice Group and works from the firm's Marquette office. Johanna practices primarily in the areas of health law, health insurance and employee benefits. Specifically, the types of matters Johanna handles for her clients include:
- Health Law: Represent health care providers in all aspects of their business, including general regulatory compliance, HIPAA compliance, contracting, joint ventures, transactions, and fraud and abuse.
- Health Insurance: Represent health insurance companies and health plans with general regulatory compliance, HIPAA privacy and security compliance, grievances and appeals, document preparation, regulatory filings, and network maintenance.
- Employee Benefits: Assist employers with all aspects of welfare benefit compliance, including document drafting, COBRA administration, mid-year election issues, and tax issues.
An excellent presenter, Johanna frequently speaks on the HIPAA Privacy and Security rules, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Active in both professional and community organizations, she is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, the State Bar of Wisconsin, the American Health Lawyers Association, the Marquette County Bar Association, the U.P Human Resources Association, and the Marquette County Economic Club.
Johanna received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, and her juris doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Highlights & Recognitions
BV® Distinguished™ Martindale-Hubbell
Representative Matters
- Successfully appealed the denial of Medicaid reimbursement for a hospital client. The client was entitled to reimbursement.
- Successfully defended several clients during investigations into alleged HIPAA violations by the Department of Health and Human Services. After explaining the circumstances, DHHS agreed that there were no violations.
- Assisted health insurance client with on-site audits performed by state regulators.
News
- Foster Swift Elects Johanna M. Novak to Shareholder, January 11, 2011
- Todd Hoppe, Johanna Novak and Steven Haney Elected Shareholders, January 11, 2011
Speaking Engagements
- Webinar: Health Care Reform, Vast Insurance, April 12, 2011
- Health Care Reform Presentation, UP Health Group's Spring HR Event, April 7, 2011
- Health Care Reform, January 27, 2011
- Foster Swift attorneys present MSAE Legal Symposium. IP, Social Media, Employment Insurance, Tax, Lobbying and Health Care topics covered., Sponsored by Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, November 17, 2010
- UP Nonprofit Conference, Northern Michigan University, October 22, 2010
- Fall HR Health Focus, UI Health Plan, October 6, 2010
Publications
- New Guidance Issued on Form W-2 Reporting of Employee Health Coverage, Foster Swift Employment, Labor & Benefits E-News, January 24, 2012
- The IRS Clarifies How It Will Treat Tax-Exempt Hospitals Who Participate in Accountable Care Organizations ("ACOs"), Foster Swift Health Care Law E-News, December 7, 2011
- Michigan's Health Insurance Claims Assessment Act, Foster Swift Employment, Labor & Benefits E-News (also published in the Foster Swift Health Care Law E-News), November 14, 2011
- The Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act, Foster Swift Employment, Labor & Benefits Quarterly, Fall 2011
- The Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act, Foster Swift Employment, Labor & Benefit E-News, September 28, 2011
- Is the IRS a Friend or Foe of Accountable Care Organizations?, Foster Swift Health Care Law E-News, April 7, 2011
Memberships & Affiliations
Legal Affiliations:
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Health Law Section
- Substantive Law Committee, Member
- Legislation Committee, Member
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Marquette County Bar Association
- Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, Regional Chairperson
Industry & Professional Associations:
- U.P. Human Resources Association
- Marquette Breakfast Rotary Club
- Marquette County Economic Club
- American Health Lawyers Association
