The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a southern hospital system, Piedmont Healthcare, Inc., had agreed to pay $16 million to settle allegations of wrongdoing. Both parties intend the settlement to resolve two separate legal claims.
TX pharmacist faces decades imprisonment for health care fraud
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently accused a Texas pharmacist of partaking in a scheme to defraud the government. The agency claimed the medical professional and his wife billed the federal government for over $20 million for medically unnecessary topical medications. A third medical professional also faces allegations of criminal activity but is not in custody. The police are still attempting to locate this individual.
Health care fraud and prison time: Texas woman heads to jail
The government recently accused a Texas woman of partaking in a health care fraud scheme that took place in Arkansas. The woman allegedly used her role recruiting patients for a company that marketed prescription medications for a Mississippi pharmacy.
Physicians: Take note of these health care fraud trends
Health care fraud is a broad term used to encompass different allegations of criminal activity. The types of allegations the government commonly prosecutes for health care fraud can vary year to year.
Hastily written law may have unintended impact on labs
Lawmakers are taking action against the current opioid addiction crisis. One specific example involves the passage of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018 (EKRA). The law, discussed in detail in a previous post available here, is designed to help better ensure those who are treating patients battling opioid addiction focus on patient care as opposed to financial motivations.
TX uses new tool to charge doctors with health care fraud
The medical profession's first concern should be the welfare of the patient. Most physicians, nurses and other medical professionals go into this field because they share a similar belief. However, as is true in any profession, there are some who stray and find the lure of financial rewards too much to ignore.
What laws govern healthcare fraud and abuse?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) take violations to healthcare laws very seriously. A conviction can come with hefty penalties that may include exclusion from federal healthcare programs, fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment.
Important health care fraud case goes to trial this week
A trial this week involving the once-celebrated Dallas-based Forest Park Medical Center is said to be one of the biggest health care fraud trials in history. There are as many as 150 witnesses as part of the government's case against ten defendants, which include four surgeons and one pain doctor.
Clinical labs: How does a new federal law impact your business?
Lawmakers often pass or change laws with good intentions. In some cases, those intentions may not translate in the real world. An attempt to thwart wrongdoing can result in an unnecessarily confining situation.
Will the HHS find alternative pay an Anti-Kickback violation?
The government is working to transform our healthcare system into one that pays for value. The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) recognizes that care coordination is an important tool to meeting this goal. However, the government has also recognized physicians and other medical professionals abused this system with the use of kickbacks solely intended for financial gain. To thwart such abuse, the government had previously passed Anti-Kickback laws.
