From 457 hospitals across the nation agreeing to pay the federal government $250 million for alleged overuse of implantable cardiac devices to an ex-COO suing a Texas hospital over mass layoffs, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. 457 hospitals to pay $250M for alleged overuse of implantable cardiac devices
The Department of Justice inked a more than $250 million deal with 457 hospitals across the nation — including hospitals from systems such as Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America and Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare — to settle allegations related to cardiac devices that were implanted in Medicare patients in violation of Medicare coverage requirements.
2. Ex-CNO wins $1M lawsuit against Prime hospital: Dr. Prem Reddy at the center of controversy
The former CNO of Encino (Calif.) Hospital Medical Center, part of Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare Services' hospital network, was awarded $1 million in a wrongful termination lawsuit after a Los Angeles jury concluded she was laid off in 2012 because she complained about a sex scandal.
3. Owner of NY medical clinics pleads guilty to role in $55M fraud and money laundering scheme
The owner of two Brooklyn, N.Y., medical clinics, Valentina Kovalienko, pleaded guilty to her role in a $55 million healthcare fraud and money laundering conspiracy, and agreed to forfeit $29.3 million, which is traceable to her criminal conduct.
4. Ex-healthcare CEO pleads guilty to fraudulently billing Medicare
Chicago-based Mobile Doctors CEO Dike Ajiri pleaded guilty to fraudulently increasing Medicare bills for in-home treatment that was shorter and less complicated than the claims indicated.
5. South Dakota hospitals may soon be facing negligent credentialing lawsuits
A circuit court judge in South Dakota ruled hospitals that grant physicians privileges to practice medicine in their facilities can be sued if they acted in bad faith or were unreasonable in granting those privileges.
6. Ex-COO hits shuttered Texas hospital with class-action lawsuit over mass layoffs
Paul Abraham served as COO of Forest Park Medical Center's facility in San Antonio, Texas, until he was terminated in mid-October when the hospital closed. Claiming violations of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, Mr. Abraham filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the 139 employees, including himself, that were notified of their immediate termination Oct. 15.
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