Suzanne J. Scrutton

Suzanne is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and chair of the health care group.  She has experience representing providers in the fields of long term care, behavioral health and developmental disabilities.  Suzanne has extensive experience with regulatory issues, Medicaid reimbursement and regulations, as well as contract negotiations with various payor sources.  She represents several statewide health care provider trade associations in Ohio and Pennsylvania and their many members.  Most recently, she was elected by her peers to serve a second term on the Board of Directors of the American Health Law Association (the AHLA).

Notable experience includes:

• Initiated successful litigation on behalf of providers of behavioral health services challenging the contracting practices of certain County Boards of Mental Health and Recovery Services
• Initiated successful litigation on behalf of providers of services to the developmentally disabled challenging the right of County Boards of DD to require contracts as a condition of participation in Ohio's Medicaid program
• Assisted Medicaid providers in navigating and defending audits by various governmental authorities, including the Ohio Department of Medicaid, the Ohio Auditor of State, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
• On behalf of providers and trade association, participated in drafting and negotiating comprehensive overhaul of Ohio's Medicaid DD reimbursement system
• Participated in numerous Administrative Proceedings and other litigation involving licensure, certification, revocation and suspension of certification, granting or denying of certificates of need, and other regulatory issues concerning providers in the long term care, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health systems
• Provided counsel and guidance to several health care trade associations during Ohio's biennial budget process, relative to complex Medicaid reimbursement and health care regulatory issues

Suzanne received her J.D. from Capital University Law School where she was a member and executive articles editor of the Capital University Law Review.  She received her B.A. cum laude with honors from Albion College.

Before joining Vorys, Suzanne served as chief legal counsel for the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services and legal counsel to the Ohio Office of Budget and Management and the State Controlling Board.

Honors & Recognitions

Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers, Health Care Law, 2022-2024

The Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law, 2016-2025

Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Health Care, 2013-2024

Professional & Community Activities

American Health Law Association, National Board of Directors

American Health Law Association, Behavioral Health Task Force, Chair 2015-2018; Vice Chair 2014-2015

Friendship Village of Columbus, Board of Trustees, Secretary

New Directions Career Center, Board of Directors, 2015-2022

New Directions Career Center, Governance Committee, Chair, 2020-2022

Prevent Blindness Ohio, Board of Trustees, Corporate Counsel, 2006-2012

Ohio Human Rights Bar Association, Board of Trustees, 1995-2000; President, 1997-1999