Providers are beginning to file lawsuits against UnitedHealth Group’s Change Healthcare over the Feb. 21 cyberattack that has crippled hospitals, physician practices and pharmacies across the country.
Category: Legal & Regulatory Issues
Providence debt collector ordered to pay $827K for rights violations
A Washington judge ordered a debt collection agency hired by Renton, Wash.-based Providence to pay $827,000 for violating patients’ medical debt collection rights more than 82,000 times.
Inmate, 2nd suspect at large after Idaho hospital shooting: Police
Police in Boise, Idaho, are searching for two suspects after a coordinated attack to facilitate the escape of a prison inmate at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center left three correctional officers shot.
Former NBA player avoids prison for role in healthcare fraud scheme
Former NBA shooting guard Antoine Wright was sentenced to time served for his role in a scheme to defraud the league’s healthcare plan out of $5 million, Law360 reported March 19.
Iowa nurse pleads not guilty to overdosing patients
An Iowa hospital nurse is charged with allegedly overdosing patients with medications, the Iowa Capitol Dispatch reported March 18.
12 key legal issues impacting health systems
1. Increased government interest in False Claims Act, Stark Act and related issues. In 2023, the U.S. government and whistleblowers were involved in 543 False Claims Act settlements and judgments. This is the highest number recorded in a single year, w…
The provider types with the most Medicaid fraud civil settlements in 2023
Medical device manufacturers accounted for the most Medicaid fraud civil settlements and judgments in 2023, according to a report from the HHS Office of Inspector General.
Former ED director sues Vermont hospital over alleged retaliation
Copley Hospital in Morristown, Vt., is facing a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by its former emergency department director, who is alleging the hospital retaliated against him after he raised safety concerns related to the switch to a new records s…
CMS notifies HCA Mission Hospital of EMTALA violation
CMS has sent a letter to HCA Healthcare’s Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., to notify leadership that the hospital was found in violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act and must take action or risk losing federal funding, according…
Merck, Johns Hopkins continue battle over Keytruda patents
During a monthslong legal dispute between Merck and John Hopkins University over Keytruda patents, the drugmaker raised the issue to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, JD Supra reported March 13.
