Kathy S. Ghiladi has an active litigation practice spanning the areas of health care, federal grants law and government contracts, and corporate law.

In the area of health care, Ms. Ghiladi’s practice focuses on government-sponsored health care programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, with an emphasis on payment/reimbursement and compliance related issues.

Ms. Ghiladi also advises clients in matters related to Medicaid and Medicare payments and reimbursement, the submission of cost reports, and represents them in litigation in federal court, in administrative appeals within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services before the Departmental Appeals Board (DAB) and the Provider Reimbursement Review Board (PRRB) and in State court and administrative actions.  She also provides reimbursement counseling (including identification, reporting, and repayment of overpayments) with respect to Medicare, Medicaid, and private third-party payers.

Ms. Ghiladi advises individual health centers, managed care organizations, and national and state associations on managed care arrangements, compliance with insurance statutes and regulations, corporate affiliations and transactions, employment matters, and contractual obligations.

Recognizing that health care providers face increasing government scrutiny, Ms. Ghiladi assists clients in responding to governmental audits and investigations, including subpoenas, OIG, and False Claims Act matters. She also assists clients in conducting internal corporate investigations and developing compliance programs.

With respect to federal grants law and government contracts, Ms. Ghiladi handles such matters as Federal and State bid protests on behalf of prospective Government grantees and contractors and advises grant recipients of a wide variety of Federal and State grant funds concerning grant requirements, cost accounting issues, and cost disallowances.  She also assists clients with matters concerning grant/contract interpretation, negotiation, and compliance.

In the corporate law field, Ms. Ghiladi represents small and large businesses, including nonprofit organizations (comprised primarily of professional and trade associations), advising clients on organizational, governance, and risk management issues. Her corporate work also includes responding to Government investigations and audits.

Ms. Ghiladi is dedicated to helping clients navigate complex government rules and requirements so that they can focus on their respective missions and objectives.

Ms. Ghiladi has completed the American Health Law Association’s (AHLA) Health Care Arbitration Training and serves on the AHLA’s Dispute Resolution Service’s panel of neutrals.

Representative Matters

  • Obtained a preliminary injunction against a federal agency enjoining the award of a federal grant to the client’s competitor.
  • Assisted a number of Federally Qualified Health Centers across the country with the process of setting appropriate rates and obtaining payment under the Medicaid Prospective Payment System through litigation and negotiation.
  • Successfully resolved federal grant disallowances of significant monetary value on behalf of several nonprofit, community-based organization.
  • Successfully challenged the proposed debarments of a prospective government contractor and of a former federal employee.
  • Persuaded the Federal Government to reverse the revocation of a client’s security clearance.

Honors/Awards

  • Selected to Washington, DC Super Lawyers list – Health Care (2014-2017)

Published Works

  • Kathy S. Ghiladi, Editor, Member Briefing: An Analysis of Legal Issues—Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, Part VI: Reimbursement Considerations When Treating Pediatric Patients with Behavioral Health Needs, American Health Lawyers Association (August 2016)
  • Kathy S. Ghiladi, Contributor, Managed Care Contracting Toolkit, American Health Lawyers Association (March 2013)
  • Kathy S. Ghiladi, Co-Author, Managed Care Handbook: A Practical Guide for Health Centers, National Association of Community Health Centers and Feldesman Leifer LLP (January 2012)
  • Kathy S. Ghiladi & Benjamin Cohen, Recent Court Decisions Involving FQHC Payments and Methodology, National Association of Community Health Centers, Medicare/Medicaid Technical Assistance Issue Brief No. 92 (January 2008)
  • Kathy S. Ghiladi & Jacqueline C. Leifer, Implementing a Risk Management Program for Your Health Center, National Association of Community Health Centers, Information Bulletin No. 8, Risk Management Series (December 2003)
  • Kathy S. Ghiladi & Marcie H. Zakheim, An Introduction to Asset Management for Health Centers, National Association of Community Health Centers, Issue Brief No. 25, Systems Development Series (August 2003)
  • Kathy S. Ghiladi & Jacqueline C. Leifer, Key Contract Issues Facing Health Centers, National Association of Community Health Centers, Information Bulletin No. 2 (November 2002)

Classes/Seminars Taught

  • American Health Law Association, Health Plan Law and Compliance Institute (2023) – The Role of Safety Net Providers in Payor Networks or Contracting Arrangements
  • American Health Lawyers Association Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues (2017) – Medicare Program Integrity and Practice Pointers for Responding to Audits and Investigations
  • American Health Lawyers Association Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues (2014 and 2015) – FQHCs, RHCs, and Community Health Centers: The Year in Review
  • American Health Lawyers Association Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues (2011) – FQHCs, RHCs, and Community Health Centers, and Their Potential Role in Health Reform
Kathy S. Ghiladi, Partner

Education

  • J.D., University of Maryland School of Law (1991)
  • B.A., American University, cum laude (1988)

Bar/Court Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • Supreme Court of Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Professional Memberships / Affiliations

  • American Health Law Association
  • D.C. Bar, Government Contracts Section, Health Care Section, Member
  • Maryland State Bar Association, Member