Noncompete agreements are a source of debate throughout the country. On the one side, those in favor of these agreements argue they can help to better ensure talent developed within one organization does not leave to join a competitor, potentially taking important...
Year: 2021
TX doctor gets 10 years for false billing
A U.S. District Judge recently sentenced a physician to ten years imprisonment for his role in a fraudulent billing scheme. The sentence also included three years of supervised release and a restitution payment of over $4.2 million. The case began in 2017 with a...
What should I know about diagnostic lab accreditation in Texas?
Diagnostic labs are a valuable part of the health care marketplace. These labs can offer a variety of services within hospitals and as stand-alone facilities. Those who are interested in joining this marketplace, or who are relatively new to the health care industry,...
Three things pharmacies should know about kickbacks
The Department of Justice (DOJ) aggressively pursued cases alleging Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) violations against pharmacies in 2020. In one example, the feds built a case against three pharmacy owners for false claims involving compounded medications. The feds...
NY doctor gets four-year ban from Medicare for health care fraud
The Manhattan U.S. Attorney recently announced civil and criminal health care fraud cases against a vascular surgeon out of Manhattan. According to the prosecution, the doctor fraudulently billed Medicare for vascular surgeries involving end-stage renal disease (ESRD)...
Can doctors attend Zoom court hearings from work?
The state medical board is investigating a surgeon who attended a Zoom traffic court meeting while in the operating room. A courtroom clerk asked the physician if he was in an operating room and the physician confirmed. He stated that he was available for trial, as...
Report: Nursing board investigations in TX are on the rise
Nurses are on the frontline day after day, taking care of patients and putting themselves and their families at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. As if these stresses weren’t enough, the Texas Nursing Board is increasing the rate at which it completes...
What should hospital administrators know about recent data breaches?
United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that healthcare breaches increased by over 55% in 2020. This translates to a jump from a reported 386 breaches in 2019 to 599 in 2020. The vast majority of these incidents were the result of hacking...
What happens if my business is accused of a Medicare overpayment?
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently accused New York health service company Cigna of over $1 billion in Medicare overpayments from 2012 through 2017. The feds state the insurance provider intentionally misrepresented health conditions to justify...
Can a doctor’s mistake lead to criminal manslaughter charges?
The New York Attorney General’s office recently announced that a local physician was facing criminal charges in connection to the overdose death of a patient. The prosecution claims the physician prescribed a mix of opioids even though he was aware the patient had...

