Samuel Dennis Mkrtchian (Dennis)

• Represented health systems in disputes with managed care organization concerning underpayment of emergency department services, resulting in millions of dollars in additional reimbursement and rescission of downcoding policies
• Represented hospitals in a dispute against payor concerning reimbursement for out-of-network services, resulting in an eight-figure settlement and recovery.
• Represented an academic medical center in a U.S. Department of Justice investigation concerning billing practices and potential False Claims Act violations, successfully defending against the allegations.
• Represented multiple hospices, laboratories, and other healthcare providers in Medicare administrative appeals, successfully challenging and reversing adverse overpayment determinations and recoupments.
• Counseled a large hospital system in connection with its acquisition of a urology physician group
• Counseled academic centers in connection with acquisitions of a behavioral health center and ambulatory surgery center
• Regularly represent hospitals and health systems in contractual managed care disputes with national payors involving claim denials, underpayments, reimbursement methodologies, payment policies, and the interpretation and enforcement of managed care agreements, resulting in millions of dollars in recoveries and settlements

Dennis Mkrtchian advises healthcare industry clients on a broad range of regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters. He represents hospitals, hospices, laboratories, and other public and private healthcare providers in reimbursement disputes involving commercial health plans and government payers, including managed care litigation and arbitration, overpayment determinations, and administrative appeals. Dennis also counsels healthcare clients on regulatory and transactional matters, including medical claim audits and appeals, billing compliance, fraud and abuse issues, and mergers and acquisitions.

Before joining the firm, Dennis practiced at a healthcare law firm in Austin, Texas, where he advised healthcare providers on Medicaid reimbursement and financing matters. While at UCLA School of Law, he served as president of the Health Law Society and as a judicial extern to the Honorable Christina A. Snyder of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Dennis earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA, where he was captain of the men’s tennis team, Pac-12 Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and an NCAA team championship finalist.