EP239: How to Escape From Legal Purgatory When Collaborating, With Bill Tanenbaum of Polsinelli

I am working on a collaborative endeavor right now where the BAA (business associate agreement) signing has literally taken a year. The whole project will likely take 2 weeks. I know I'm likely not going to shock anyone listening, but the legal side of any sale or install or collaboration or proposed interoperability can be a serious impediment when every venture takes literally months or even years. That's kind of the opposite of a fluid marketplace or fluid collaborative environment and one of the reasons why organizations can't innovate, even incrementally, if that innovation involves any outside partners or alliances.

This whole legal jumble can also be a big reason why organizations might stick with substandard vendors, even vendors who are clearly overcharging them in some cases—just because the hassle factor and expense of switching to a better option is real. So, what's some practical advice to minimize the amount of time spent in BAA or contracting purgatory so that we can move forward with improving patient care and outcomes and being disciplined and efficient in the process in doing so?

In this health care podcast, I speak with Bill Tanenbaum from Polsinelli. Bill is Polsinelli's practice co-chair of health care technology and innovation.

You can learn more by contacting Bill on LinkedIn and by visiting polsinelli.com.

William A. Tanenbaum works closely with clients to provide actionable, industry-informed solutions for their business needs. Recognized as one of the Who's Who Legal "Thought Leaders Global Elite," Bill is also ranked in top tiers by Chambers: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Legal500, and Best Lawyers in technology, outsourcing, intellectual property (IP), and data law and as one of the Top 30 IT lawyers in the US (Who's Who Legal). Chambers says Bill "brings extremely high integrity, a deep intellect, fearlessness and a practical, real-world mindset to every problem."