About Michael R. Callahan

A nationally recognized advisor to health care providers across the country, Michael Callahan provides deeply informed business and legal counseling in all areas of hospital-physician relations and health care regulatory compliance and governmental investigations, including the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs), hospital licensure and accreditation standards. He is widely respected for his leading work on the Patient Safety Act from a regulatory compliance, policy and litigation standpoint, including the development of patient safety organizations (PSOs).

The knowledge to identify efficient and practical solutions

Health systems, hospitals and physician groups large and small across the country come to Michael for practical, real-world guidance and answers to challenging legal and operational issues, which he can provide quickly because of his many years of experience. He understands the reality of hospital quality, peer review, risk management and related operational legal and regulatory complexities and can rely on a large client base in order to provide better and comparative solutions.

He also is sought out by many of the largest health systems around the country for his understanding and interpretation of the Patient Safety Act. In a case of first impression he advised a national pharmacy that became the first provider to successfully assert an evidentiary privilege under the Patient Safety Act. Since that case, he has represented or advised many hospitals, physician groups and other licensed providers in creating or contracting with federally certified PSOs and has been directly involved in most of the major state appellate and federal court decisions interpreting the Patient Safety Act.

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Practice Focus

  • Federal and state licensure and accreditation for hospitals and health systems
  • Hospital-physician relations including contracts, bylaws, peer review investigation and hearings and related health care litigation
  • PSOs and participating provider policies, compliance and litigation support
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and state departments of health surveys and investigations
  • Assisting health systems with medical staff integration and hospital/medical staff disputes

News

Publications

Quick Reads

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • DePaul University College of Law, JD
  • Northern Illinois University, BA
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
Community Involvements
  • American Bar Association
  • American Health Law Association (AHLA), Fellows Coordinating Council, former Chair of the Medical Staff, Credentialing and Peer Review Practice Group
  • DePaul College of Law, Mary and Michael Jaharis Health Law Institute Advisory Board
  • Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys
  • Illinois Association Medical Staff Services
  • Massachusetts Association of Medical Staff Services
  • National Association Medical Staff Services, former Public Member, Board of Directors
  • New York State Association for Medical Staff Services
  • Northlight Theatre, former President and Member, Board of Directors
  • National Practitioner Data Bank, former Member, Executive Committee
Michael Callahan Discusses the Issuance of Governmental Waivers of Laws to Facilitate the Treatment of Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • American Health Lawyers Association
    Fellow, 2019
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Health Care Law, 1991–2023
  • Chambers USA
    Healthcare, 2005–2022
  • Illinois Association Medical Staff Services
    Leadership Award, 1995
  • LAF Katten José de Diego Legal Clinic
    Volunteer of the Year, 2017
  • Massachusetts Association of Medical Staff Services
    Honorary Lifetime Member
  • National Association Medical Staff Services
    ICON Award, 2020
  • New York State Association for Medical Staff Services
    Honorary Lifetime Member
  • Super Lawyers
    Illinois, 2005–2020
Award Methodologies