Beyond Fear

How I Fought the Feds for Six Years and Won

In this gripping story, one man provides a front-row seat for how he—a self-employed healthcare finance and regulatory consultant—overcame extraordinarily long odds in his battle with the federal government, culminating in one of the largest court settlements in the history of Medicare.

On May 3, 2006, Ted Giovanis emailed a U.S. government official, seeking clarity on an arcane issue: the calculation used by Medicare to determine reimbursement rates for certain kinds of hospitals. Though he expected a routine exchange, what unfolded was anything but.

Buried in the official’s response was a piece of information that marked the start of a six-year odyssey that led Giovanis to sue the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of 730 hospitals. The U.S. Court of Appeals eventually ruled unanimously in Giovanis’s favor, and the federal government paid out approximately $3 billion to the hospitals.

Beyond Fear provides a blueprint for how concerned citizens can seek to remedy federal transgressions while also showcasing the ways in which career bureaucrats can and often do shape public policy. Giovanis recounts the myriad challenges that stood between him and success, including securing a first-rate legal team, tangling with less-informed rivals, and developing compelling arguments to help judges understand a very complex issue.

Framed by his humble beginnings as well as the love and loss of his wife, Jayne, Beyond Fear is a surprisingly personal story of intrigue, hard work, and, ultimately, reward.

$26.95
ISBN: 978-1-64543-511-2
SKU: 08-710-01
Categories:Amplify Publishing, Industries, Healthcare and Medical, Memoirs and Biographies, Political

"During my nearly twenty years working on behalf of hospitals and health systems, Ted Giovanis’s expertise in Medicare payment issues, particularly related to the intricacies of the wage index, was second to none. His tenacity in taking on hospital payment challenges reflects his understanding that these challenges, if not addressed, can mean fewer resources for patient care.”—Susan Van Meter, former head of Washington office, Healthcare Association of New York State

"Even with my twenty-eight years of experience working in and around Washington, I was amazed by what I read in Beyond Fear. It is a brilliant, albeit disturbing, account of the lengths to which the U.S. government will go to try and conceal a mistake. Anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how Washington works—and what it takes to fight the feds—should read this book.”—Jim Houdek, former senior vice president, Texas Hospital Association; former member of the Provider Reimbursement Review Board

"Ted Giovanis refutes the old saw that ‘you can’t fight city hall.’ In Beyond Fear, he provides a blow-by-blow account of how he set out to remedy a multibillion-dollar mistake committed by the U.S. government and how he overcame extraordinary odds to win—while simultaneously dealing with his wife’s failing health. It’s a story that will inspire you, infuriate you, make you laugh, and even make you cry.”—Charles J. Pendola, founder, former CEO, and president of Preferred Health Network; author of Hospital Budgeting: A Case Study Approach

Ted Giovanis

Healthcare Regulatory and Policy Expert

tedgiovanis.com

Ted Giovanis, FHFMA, MBA, is president and founder of the Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy, which conducts research in the policy and clinical arenas. He was previously president of T. Giovanis & Company, LLC and TGC, LLC, which were health policy and reimbursement consultancies specializing in strategic reimbursement advice and advocacy on behalf of clients. During the past forty years, Ted’s work has encompassed both the Medicare and Medicaid payment areas, regulation, and regulatory processes.

He was solely responsible for the identification and prosecution of the rural floor budget neutrality issue, which resulted in a multibillion-dollar settlement for hospitals nationally.

He has also served as a hospital system CFO, controller, and internal auditor, along with numerous other hospital management and reimbursement/payment positions.

Additionally, Ted is an accomplished professional sports car driver and team owner in the International Motor Sports Association.