Denise M. Leard

Contact Denise M. Leard

Denise M. Leard draws from a diverse legal experience to contribute to the Health Care Group at Brown & Fortunato.

Denise joined Brown & Fortunato as a member of the firm’s Health Care Group where she has a national health law practice and is a shareholder in the firm. She is Board Certified in Health Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. As part of the Health Care Group, she works closely with the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carriers, Uniform Program Integrity Contractors, National Supplier Clearinghouse, and other federal and state regulatory agencies. She represents durable medical equipment companies, pharmacies, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in a large variety of legal areas.

Denise advises clients on compliance with federal and state laws that impact the health care industry. One of Denise’s favorite roles is assisting the firm’s health care clients with compliance issues and providing preventative education. She is frequently involved in the appeal of Medicare overpayment demands or denial requests where she plays a key role in guiding clients through the administrative appeals process. Denise has successfully defended extrapolated audits at the redetermination and reconsideration levels, avoiding the need to continue to an administrative law judge level. Denise finds working appeals and assisting clients in being removed from prepayment review very rewarding.

Denise is also instrumental in assisting suppliers and providers in all areas of enrollment and revalidation and responding to investigations by CMS enrollment contractors. This includes assisting suppliers with the accreditation process including preparing the necessary evidence for the accrediting organization and conducting a mock survey.

Denise was born in Colorado but spent most of her youth in California and Washington before finding her home in Amarillo. Denise received her B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington in 1988. While in college, she was a member of the swim team and broke numerous school and meet swimming records. Her athletic talent was recognized when she was named a College All-American in 1985 and 1986.

After completing her undergraduate education, Denise moved to Norman, Oklahoma, where she worked in a law firm before enrolling at the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1990 where she received her J.D. in 1993.

Denise is a frequent speaker at professional and trade conferences including state, regional, and national conferences on many topics including audits, appeals, and general health care issues affecting the firm’s clients. Denise has presented programs to attorneys and compliance officers at the Health Care Compliance Association’s Compliance Institute. In addition, she has authored numerous articles covering a variety of health law topics and can be found in publications such as Homecare Magazine, HME News, and Compliance Today. She is on the Board of Commissioners for the Accreditation Commission for Health Care where she holds the position of Immediate Past Chair.

Denise also stays active in her community. She is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Amarillo-Canyon and served on its Board of Directors from June 2004 to June 2006. She served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for the High Plains Division of the March of Dimes and was Board Chair from 2006 to 2010. Denise co-chaired the Fall 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Amarillo Signature Chef’s event. She chaired the Logistics Committee for that event in 2010 through 2012. She previously served on the March of Dimes Texas State Advocacy Group. She also previously served as a member of the local board for the Juvenile Diabetic Research Foundation. She currently serves on the Brandy Lee Leard Scholarship Board.

Denise is married to Charles and has five children: Daniel, Michael, Zachary, Jacob, and Katherine. In her spare time, Denise enjoys physical activity, has competed in triathlons, and has completed a full Ironman event. She previously held the position of Head Swim Coach for the middle and high school students at Ascension Academy. These days you can often find her on a tennis court and spending time with her grandchildren.