R. Bruce Crelin, Esq.

Attorney Ralph “Bruce” Crelin joined Scaringi Law in March 2023 and brought to our firm his over 24 years of experience in health care law, business, and litigation. He is based in our Harrisburg Office and represents clients throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Attorney Crelin represents health care professionals, groups, and associations in all aspects of health care law. He provides expert counsel on legal, compliance, regulatory, employment and business matters. Attorney Crelin analyzes complex legal issues to help clients achieve business objectives while minimizing risk. Attorney Crelin is well experienced in providing compliance advice with healthcare-related statutes, including HIPAA, HINT, HITECH, MACRA, ACA, Medicare, Medicaid, Stark, Anti-Kickback, and the False Claims Act.

Attorney Crelin has advised clients, including state and county medical societies, physician specialty societies, hospital medical staffs, ambulatory surgery centers, and large group physician practices regarding a wide variety of legal issues, including regulatory compliance, risk management, and investigations by governmental entities and health insurers. He has worked closely with the leadership of these entities to avoid legal problems before they occurred. Attorney Crelin has worked in connection with client management, experts, and consultants to advance clients’ interests in the legislative and administrative arenas.

In addition to providing transactional advice and services, Attorney Crelin handles complex litigation, regulatory and licensing matters in the health care industry. As a litigating attorney, Attorney Crelin has a long list of significant accomplishments in court including:

• Obtained a reversal and remand of summary judgment entered against podiatrist client on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, by developing the strategy, drafting the brief, and arguing the case. Ricketti v. Barry, 775 F.3d 611 (3d Cir. 2015).

• Successfully reversed the decision of an Administrative Law Judge against client and obtained remand of the case to the agency, by developing strategy and drafting briefs in an appeal.

• Prevailed in action by podiatric society against Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield, requiring it to provide coverage for foot and ankle x-rays performed by podiatrists, resulting in the society’s members being eligible for annual reimbursements in excess of $1 million.

• Achieved a substantial fee and costs award reduction sought by a relator’s counsel in a complex healthcare qui tam action, significantly less than client was willing to pay, by creating legal arguments and written submissions in opposition to motion for fee award. United States ex rel. Tommasino v. Guida, No. 10-cv-4644(JFB)(FKT)(E.D.N.Y. Mar. 6, 2017).

• Drafted Petition for Certiorari to the SCOTUS seeking review of a New Jersey physician disciplinary matter.

• Developed strategy and drafted briefs in support of an ERISA action involving a group medical practice’s pension and profit-sharing plan.

• Defended hospital medical staff against tortious interference lawsuit brought by the former president of the staff, resulting in a judgment in favor of the firm’s client.

• Won a neurosurgeon client’s right to practice in a restricted area under non-compete covenant in N.J. Supreme Court appeal, preserving a practice which earned more than $500,000 per year. The Community Hospital Group v. More, 183 N.J. 36, 869 A.2d 884 (2005).

• Drafted briefs and prepared appellate appendices on two different appeals in California cases involving an allergist accused of sexual misconduct with office staff.

• Prevailed at trial in case involving termination of neurosurgeon’s staff privileges under false pretenses. Kalko v. Solaris Health System, No. A-1814-01T2 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. Mar. 17, 2002).

Joined the Firm

• 2023

Areas of Practice

• Administrative
• Business
• Civil Litigation
• Health Care

Bar Admissions

• State of New Jersey
• District of Columbia
• State of New York
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Supreme Court of the United States
• United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
• United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
• United States Tax Court