Category: Legal & Regulatory Issues

PE-owned physician group backed Florida C-section policy shift

A debated Florida law that allows physicians to perform cesarean deliveries outside of hospitals came about after backing by a private equity-owned physicians group, according to KFF Health News.

Police probe murder-suicide at Virginia hospital

Newport News (Va.) police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that took place at Riverside Regional Medical Center on May 26. 

Medical devicemaker to pay $42M in malfunctions case

On May 20, Massachusetts-based Magellan Diagnostics agreed to pay $42 million and pleaded guilty to charges related to the concealment of a device malfunction. 

10 recent hospital lawsuits, settlements

From the Connecticut Hospital Association filing a lawsuit against Prospect Medical Holdings to the Cleveland Clinic settling False Claims Act allegations, here are 10 lawsuits, settlements and legal developments Becker’s has reported since May 6: 

Judge orders Memorial Hermann surgeon to retain texts, emails

A Texas judge has granted a temporary injunction against a transplant surgeon at Houston-based Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center accused of altering patient records, potentially preventing some patients from getting lifesaving care, the Houston Chr…

CMS aims to expedite EMTALA probes

CMS will now allow patients to directly file Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act complaints with the federal government.

Alabama law protects physicians who prescribe meds for off-label use

Alabama passed a law that prohibits the state’s board of medical examiners and medical licensure commission from taking adverse action against physicians who prescribe or recommend off-label medical treatments, the Alabama Reflector reported May 20.

Cleveland Clinic will pay $7.6M to resolve false claims case

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation has agreed to pay the U.S. $7.6 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, the Justice Department announced May 17.

Massachusetts hospital to pay $24M in whistleblower case

Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Mass., will pay $24.3 million to settle claims that it knowingly billed Medicare for cardiac procedures that didn’t follow Medicare rules.

Kootenai Health antitrust investigation concludes

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has completed his investigation into potential breaches of Idaho’s antitrust regulations involving Coeur d’Alene, Idaho-based Kootenai Health and Grangeville, Idaho-based Syringa Hospital and Clinics.