Two nurses had set out to take a trip together. Upon their return, airport authorities flagged the two for a search. During the search, authorities claim to have found approximately 700 Tramadol pills. Discovery of pain pills leads to serious penaltiesThe allegations...
Month: February 2020
Case claims doctor billed millions for “nonexistent procedures”
The government recently accused a doctor of fraudulently billing Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance providers for office visits totaling over $26 million. The government claims the physician billed insurance providers for "nonexistent procedures." If supported,...
Three tips for doctors served with a med mal suit
Getting notification of an impending lawsuit is a stressful event. It is important for physicians who receive these notices to take the matter seriously, and act to protect their interests. Whether currently navigating a med mal allegation or not, it is wise for every...
New York doctor sued by former office manager
Running a private practice is not easy. The physicians that take on this role generally manage their business in addition to practicing medicine. This is a difficult balance that can include dealing with business planning and administrative needs while ensuring proper...
Feds accuse Texas doctor of False Claims Act violation
The federal government recently accused an orthopedic surgeon from Texas of False Claims Act violations. The health care fraud crimes the physician face allegedly included illegal kickbacks. More specifically, the Department of Justice (DOJ) accused the specialist of...
Will CMS update Stark Law? 3 things to know about new proposal.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposal to change the Stark Law. The proposal is not current law, but the agency has stopped taking public comments. #1: Volume to value. The federal agency claims that it supports a shift from...
Physicians & health care fraud: 3 FAQs about the False Claims Act
There are certain federal laws that impact a physician no matter where they practice medicine. One example is the False Claims Act (FCA). This law essentially makes it illegal to submit claims for payment from Medicare or Medicaid that the physician knows or should...
Nurses and social media: 3 tips to navigate wisely
Social media has become an important part of our daily lives. Various platforms from Facebook and Twitter allow us to keep up with loved ones on a regular basis, whether living near or far. Still other platforms like LinkedIn can help us network within our...
Insurance company accuses diagnostic lab of bribing hospitals
A diagnostic lab is in financial ruin after an insurer accused the lab of paying illegal kickbacks in exchange for referrals. The accusations are part of a lawsuit that has led the lab to file for protection in bankruptcy court. What were the accusations against the...
Lawmakers remove hospital leader amidst qualification concerns
Getting a high-level job in the medical world can be difficult. Applicants must have the training and experience to qualify for the position as well as go through the interview process. Once a candidate is offered the job, they may be surprised to find out lawmakers...