A group of Texas hospitals recently joined others from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and other states where the United States Health and Human Services (HHS) did not expand Medicaid to demand payment. The hospitals state they did not receive payment for care...
Month: May 2021
Can labs legally pay marketers?
The law is constantly evolving. Arguably, this is a good thing. In many cases this evolution helps to better ensure the laws remain relevant. However, in some cases the changes may cause more problems than they fix. That is the issue diagnostic labs are currently...
Can a medical board penalize a doctor for not wearing a mask?
A recent case involved a physician who refused to enforce mask-wearing in a rural clinic. A local news station videotaped the physician at a rally stating that neither “he nor his staff would wear masks” when working. This was true even for those who experienced...
Feds pursue millions from FCA cases in first quarter of 2021
United States Attorney’s Offices throughout the country continue their aggressive pursuit of physicians and other medical professionals who fail to follow the regulations set out in the False Claims Act (FCA). The feds have found success, reportingly pursuing the...
Can a neurosurgeon have ties to a medical device company?
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a settlement between the feds and a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon owned two medical device distributorships and was accused of the following: The feds state the accused used illegal kickbacks to...
Are feds targeting ophthalmology clinics for Medicare overpayments?
There are circumstances that result in a surgeon needing to perform two procedures in one day. Unfortunately, unless certain criteria are met, the surgeon in this position could find themselves accused by the feds of fraudulent billing practices. Case example: OIG...
Dentist license at risk when prescribing opioids
Older teens have more rights to make their own decisions when it comes to dental care. However, when it comes to prescribing opioids, the consent of an authorized adult is still often necessary. A dentist who prescribes opioids to a minor without consent could face...
What is the role of the Texas Medical Board?
The Texas Medical Board is a group of physicians and other members of the community that is responsible for the oversight of medical professionals within the state. They license a variety of professionals including physicians, technologists, and assistants. According...
Appealing a demand for overpayment? Here’s what to expect.
It is not uncommon for healthcare providers to receive a demand for overpayment from Medicare. Those who find themselves in this situation may wonder what their options are. In some cases, it may make sense to pay the bill and move on. In others, the amount demanded...
Feds give 4 execs prison time for healthcare fraud
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced the sentencing for four healthcare executives. The feds accused these execs of healthcare fraud and money laundering crimes. The allegations stem back a decade and involve claims the four worked together...