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Michael Igel is a Board-Certified health law attorney and Chair of Johnson Pope’s Health Care Team. He represents a wide range of health care businesses—including physician groups, hospices, pharmacies, and private equity-backed health systems—in transactional, regulatory, compliance, and administrative matters. As chair of the firm’s Health Care Audit Defense Team, Michael is often called upon to defend providers facing Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payor audits, as well as government investigations and licensure issues. He also counsels clients on asset protection and estate and gift planning, helping ensure their business and personal legacies are protected.

Whether representing large institutions or small medical practices, Michael’s approach is practical, passionate, and hands-on—grounded in a deep understanding of health care law and the real-world needs of his clients.

Michael is Board Certified in Health Law by The Florida Bar and AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a frequent speaker on compliance, contracting, and audit defense issues, and has been recognized by Florida Super Lawyers for multiple consecutive years.

Representative Matters

  • Defended Healthcare Providers in Medicare Audit Disputes: Led the defense of numerous physician practices and healthcare entities in high-stakes audits involving claims of Medicare overpayments, preserving billing privileges and avoiding recoupment of millions in alleged overpayments.

  • Advised on Multi-Million Dollar Surgery Center Acquisition: Served as lead counsel in the successful closing of a complex surgery center transaction involving multiple physician groups and regulatory approvals.

  • Guided National Hospice Groups Through Regulatory Compliance: Counseled national and regional hospice organizations on licensure, Medicare certification, compliance programs, and defense against overpayment and whistleblower claims.

  • Structured Private Equity Investment in Physician Practices: Advised private equity-backed entities on acquisition and integration of specialty physician practices, including negotiation of employment agreements, regulatory compliance, and Stark Law/Anti-Kickback Statute review.

Bar Admissions

  • Florida, 2006

Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, L.L.M. in Health Law, 2007
  • Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, J.D., 2006

  • American University, B.A., Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government, 2002

Awards & Recognition

  • Board Certified in Health Law by The Florida Bar, 2015 – Present
  • AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star in Health Care Law, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019 & 2020
  • Heroes Among Us Award by the St. Petersburg Bar foundation – 2025

Community & Professional Organizations

  • Florida Education Commissioner’s Task Force on Holocaust Education
    • Chair
  • Florida Holocaust Museum Board of Directors, 2013 – Present
    • Board Chair Emeritus
  • Florida Holocaust Museum, Elie Wiesel Archive and Legacy Council
    • Chair
  • Florida Education Commissioner’s Task Force on Holocaust Education, 2022 – Present
    • Chair
  • Congregation Beth Shalom, 2014 – Present
    • Board of Trustees Member
  • Suncoast Hospice Foundation
    • Attorney Advisory Council
  • American Bar Association, Health Law Section
    • Member
  • St. Petersburg Bar Association
    • Member
  • American Health Lawyers Association

    • Member

Outside the Office

Michael lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, daughter, and their dog. A devoted Philadelphia sports fan and lifelong classic rock enthusiast, he enjoys weekend adventures with his family, concerts and sporting events, , and solving just about any challenge—legal or otherwise—that comes his way. As the grandson of Holocaust Survivors, Michael is very passionate about Holocaust education, combatting antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community.

  • Resolved Administrative Action to Restore Medicare Billing Privileges: Successfully represented a healthcare provider in administrative proceedings to reinstate Medicare billing privileges after suspension, ensuring continuity of operations and reimbursement.

  • Drafted and Negotiated Physician Employment Agreements for Large Medical Groups: Prepared and negotiated employment and partnership agreements for healthcare organizations across Florida, balancing business objectives with regulatory compliance.

  • Provided Strategic Legal Counsel to Health Systems and Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Advised hospital systems and ASCs on compliance with HIPAA, medical staff bylaws, and operations under evolving federal and state healthcare laws.
  • “Proposed Rule on Sixty-Day Repayment of Overpayments Creates Potential Significant Burden on Providers and Suppliers; Compliance Plans and Training Become Increasingly Important,” Pinellas Medical Journal, Spring/Summer 2012
  • “Federal Government Releases Proposed Rules for Accountable Care Organizations: Interested Providers Need to Prepare Now for Detailed and Potentially Onerous Application, Operation and Reporting Requirements,” Pinellas Medical Journal, May 2011
  • Quoted in “Tampa Bay doctors preparing to cross a new frontier of care,” Tampa Bay Times, February 6, 2011
  • Compliance Deadline: Are you Properly Enrolled with Medicare? If not, Risk Having Claims Rejected,” Pinellas Medical Journal, March 2010
  • “Professional Limited Liability Company: The Entity of Choice,” Florida Health Law Journal, Winter 2009
  • “Medicare Audits: Ready or not, Here They Come,” Pinellas Medical Journal, September 2009
  • Quoted in “Medical Care Charts Moving from Filing Cabinets to Computers,” Tampa Bay Times, March 22, 2009
  • “A Perfect 10: The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 Provides Incentive for Florida to Amend Its Own False Claims Act,” The Florida Bar Journal, November 2007
  • “The Patient Brokering Act and Fee-Splitting,” Florida Medical Business, October 2007
  • “Physician Contract Negotiation: Employment and Ownership Economic Climate – 2016”, American Urological Association, May 6-10, 2016 – San Diego, CA
  • “Why Your Practice Needs a Compliance Plan, and How to Build One”, Florida Medical Association, July 31 – August 2, 2015 – Orlando, FL
  • “Properly Drafted Corporate Documents… Don’t Start Work Without Them”; “Health Care Reform – The Affordable Care Act Update”; Florida Health Care Laws: What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You”, Matthews Benefit Group, June 16, 2015 – All Day Seminar, St. Petersburg, FL
  • “Coders and Attorneys: A Team Approach to Health Care Audit Defense”, American Academy of Professional Coders, June 1, 2015 – Sarasota Memorial Hospital
  • “Road to 10 “Readiness’ ICD-10 Implementation Preparing for ICD-10”, Pinellas County Medical Association, May 27, 2015 – Clearwater, FL
  • “Physician Contract Negotiations: Employment and Ownership in the Current Economic Climate – 2015”, American Urological Association, May 15-19, 2015 – New Orleans, LA
  • “Preparing for a Healthcare Audit”, Pinellas County Medical Association, March 5-9, 2015 – Cruise to Mexico
  • “Keeping A Proper Medical Record: The Easy Way to Reduce Risk”, Emerald Coast Medical Association, January 23-25, 2015 – Destin, FL
  • “Legal Aspects of Job Search, Contract, Non-Competes”, All Children’s Hospital, January 21, 2015 – St. Petersburg, FL
  • “Preventative Care for Medical Practice Compliance,” Pinellas County Medical Association, St. Petersburg, FL, March 2014
  • “The Florida Laws That Impact the Operation of Your Practice,” The Bays Medical Society, St. Petersburg, FL, January 2014
  • “Medical Ethics: Navigating the New Health Care World,” The Bays Medical Society, St. Petersburg, FL, January 2014
  • “Why Your Practice Needs a Compliance Plan, and How to Build One,” The Bays Medical Society, St. Petersburg, FL, January 2014
  • “Employment Agreements: What You Need to Know,” All Children’s Hospital Resident Career Night, St. Petersburg, FL, December 2013
  • “Managing a Healthcare Practice That is Undergoing an Audit,” Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM), Clearwater, FL, October 2013
  • “Hot Topics in Health Care Law,” Florida Medical Association Board of Directors Meeting, Tampa, FL, October 2013
  • “Creating Synergy Between Your Business, Your Attorney and Your Accountant,” Matthews Benefit Group 12th Annual Tax & Business Update, Tampa, FL, October 2013
  • “Business Succession Planning When Retirement is 5-10 Years Away,” Matthews Benefit Group 12th Annual Tax & Business Update, co-presenter with Michael J. Reeves, Tampa, FL, October 2013 Panelist, HIPAA/Cyber Enforcement Panel, Dental Professional Liability Risk Management Conference, Orlando, FL, October 2013
  • “ACOs from the Physician’s Perspective,” Northside Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL, September 2013
  • “Accountants and Coders: a Team Approach to Health Care Audit Defense,” AAPC’s Annual Coding Symposium, St. Petersburg, FL, August 2013
  • “Narcotics Prescribing Regulations and Guidelines — Changes in the Law,” American Clinical Solutions, Ruskin, FL, June 2013
  • “Daze in the Life of an Audited Physician: Stories from the Trenches and Ways to Minimize Your Risk,” BAYS Medical Society quarterly meeting, Panama City, FL, May 2013
  • “Minimizing Health Care Audit Risk: Offense if the Best Defense,” Pinellas County Medical Association’s Continuing Medical Education cruise, March 2013
  • “Employment Agreements: What you Need to Know” All Children’s Hospital Resident Career Planning Night, St. Petersburg, FL, December 2012
  • Panelist, The Digital Era of Medicine, Bayfront Medical Center Grand Rounds, St. Petersburg, FL, December 2012
  • “Offense is the Best Defense: Avoiding the Heath Care Audit,” American College of Phlebotomy, Hollywood, FL, November 2012
  • “Your Financial & Regulatory Annual Check-Up,” Pinellas County Medical Association’s Healthcare Business Symposium, Tampa, FL, November 2012
  • “Health Care Audits in Florida: What You Need to Know” Medical Expo, Panama City, FL October 2012
  • “The ACO Gamble: Increase the Odds of Winning,” Willis & Benton McLaughlin Presentation, Tampa, FL, October 2012
  • “To Merge or Not to Merge: Is That The Question?” Pinellas County Medical Association’s Healthcare Business Symposium, Tampa, FL, September 2012
  • “Accountants and Attorneys: A Team Approach to Health Care Audit Defense,” Florida Institute for CPAs Health Care Industry Conference, Orlando, April 2012
  • “New Pain Medication Laws: What You Need to Know,” St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, April 2012
  • “To Merge or Not to Merge: Is That The Question?” Pinellas County Medical Association’s Continuing Medical Education cruise, March 2012
  • “Health Care Audits in Florida: What’s New,” Florida Medical Association, Orlando, February 2012
  • “New Pain Medication Laws: What You Need to Know,” Palms of Pasadena Hospital, St. Petersburg, January 2012
  • “Health Care Audits: How to Defend Your Practice,” Florida Medical Association’s Annual Conference, July 2011
  • “Accountable Care Organizations and Medicare’s Shared Saving Program,” ACO Educational Seminar presented by Jay Chowdappa, MD, June 2011
  • “Audits: Like Them or Not (And You Won’t), They Are Here to Stay,” Florida Medical Association, May 2011
  • “Physician and Physician Assistant Licensure: What You Need to Know,” Pinellas County Medical Association’s Continuing Medical Education cruise, April 2011
  • “Keeping a Proper Medical Record: The Easy Way to Reduce Risk,” Pinellas County Medical Association’s Continuing Medical Education cruise, April 2011
  • “Understanding Accountable Care Organizations,” Pinellas County Medical Association’s Health Care Summit, April 2011
  • “Employment Agreements: What You Need to Know,” All Children’s Hospital Resident Program, January 2011
  • “Hot Topics in Health Law,” Matthews Benefit Group Symposium, November 2010
  • “Legal Issues In Nursing,” American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, Inc. Quality Nursing Symposium, October 2010
  • “Electronic Medical Records and the New HIPAA: The Good (Incentives), the Bad (Penalties) and the Ugly (More Regulations),” American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians, Inc. 32nd Annual Health Care Quality & Patient Safety Conference, 2009

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Super Lawyers
The Florida Bar Board Certified Health Law
Av Preeminent Martindale Hubbell

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