V I T A E

Debra A. Spicer has a well-deserved reputation as a leading expert in the health law field. An active member of the Detroit legal community, Spicer is frequently invited to lecture on topics of interest to health law professionals. She presently serves as Chairperson of the Medical/Legal Committee of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society.

A member of the State Bar since 1984, Debra A. Spicer is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.

Professional Experience

 

Developed general health law practice focusing on defense of state and federal fraud investigations, licensure, compliance issues, reimbursement, third party payor audits and coordination of benefits
 

Conducted internal investigations of hospitals/health care delivery systems
 

Extensive representation of hospitals in third party payor issues including state and federal fraud investigations
 

Representation of physicians, group practices, dialysis centers and home health centers
 

Ongoing contact with Attorney General's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Inspector General, Health & Human Services, Health Care Finance Administration and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
 

Practiced extensively in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals
 

Handled complex litigation focusing on breach of contract, fraud, coordination of benefits, provider audit and medical policy interpretation
 

Handled labor litigation, including arbitrations, focusing on wrongful discharge and civil rights complaints
 

Handled the defense of highly sensitive and controversial cases involving bone marrow transplants, including a class action comprised of women with breast cancer
 

Representation of physicians in administrative disciplinary actions and credentialling appeals
 

Analyzed and interpreted collective bargaining agreements
 

Developed corporate policy relative to employment practices
 

Involved in legal professional liability insurance and risk management programs throughout the state of Michigan
 

Administered risk analyses for individual law firms including in-house and state wide loss prevention seminars

 

Education

 

LL.M. in Labor Law, Wayne State University Law School, December 1993
 

J.D., Thomas M. Cooley Law School, May 1984
 

B.B.A., Eastern Michigan University, April 1978

 

Awards & Presentations

 

Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Physicians and Deselection", March 4, 2005
 

Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Third Party Payor Audits and Deselection", March 4, 2004
 

Faculty, The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, Healthcare Conference, "Defense of Fraud Investigations: A Case Study", May 1, 2003
 

Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Third Party Audits", March 7, 2003
 

Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Defense of Investigations: A Nuts and Bolts Primer", March 9, 2001
 

Lecturer, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee, "Medical Malpractice Settlements: The Licensing Impact", October 2000
 

Faculty, Michigan Health Information Management Association, "How To Handle A Government Investigation", May 22, 2000
 

Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Anatomy of a Qui Tam Action", March 2000
 

Chairperson of the Year, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, 1998-1999
 

Faculty, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Health Law Institute, "Defense of Third-Party Payor Audits", March 1999
 

Moderator, U.S. Attorney Panel, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee, "Health Care Fraud and Abuse-The Prosecution", April 1999
 

Moderator, FBI/BCBSM Panel, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee, "Health Care Fraud and Abuse-The Investigation", March 1999
 

Moderator, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee, "Health Care Fraud and Abuse-Who's Looking at Your Practice", November 1998
 

Frequent Lecturer, DPIC, "Avoiding Legal Malpractice", 1995 - 1997

 

Memberships & Associations

 

Professional Admissions
State Bar of Michigan, November 1984 (P37172)
 

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, March 1985
 

U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, January 1995
 

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, June 1992
 

Health Care Committee/Board Appointments
Member, Board of Trustees, St. John Home Care (2000 - present)
 

Chairperson, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association/Wayne County Medical Society, Medical/Legal Committee (1998 - present)
 

Member, State Bar of Michigan, Medical/Legal Problems Committee (1997 - 2002)
 

Member, Oakland County Bar Association, Medical/Legal Committee, Insurance Subcommittee (1997 - present)
 

Chairperson, Oakland County Bar Association, Medical/Legal Committee, Domestic Violence Subcommittee (1999 - 2002)
 

Other Committee Assignments
Member, State Bar of Michigan, Standing Committee on Character & Fitness (1990 - 1995)
 

Member, State Bar of Michigan, District Committee on Character & Fitness (1988 - 1990)

 

Member, State Bar of Michigan, Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance Committee (1995)
 

Member, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyer Committee (1986 - 1989)
 

Member, Detroit Athletic Club, Athletic Committee (2002 - 2005)

 

Professional Memberships
Member, State Bar of Michigan, Health Law Section (1996 - present)
 

Member, American Health Lawyers Association (1996 - present)
 

Member, State Bar of Michigan, Administrative Law Section (1996 - present)
 

Member, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association (1985 - present)
 

Member, Oakland County Bar Association (1997 - present)