From a New Jersey physician being indicted for taking bribes in a $100 million fraud scheme to a national cancer care provider settling false claims allegations, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Ex-CFO of troubled Florida hospital files lawsuit over CEO's harassment, threats
The former CFO of Calhoun Liberty Hospital in Blountstown, Fla., filed a federal whistle-blower lawsuit against the hospital's board, claiming members did nothing to stop harassment and threats from the hospital's former administrator.
2. NJ physician allegedly took bribes in $100M fraud scheme
Bernard Greenspan, DO, a family physician practicing in Bergen County, N.J., was charged with accepting bribes in exchange for test referrals as part of a long-running scheme operated by Parsippany, N.J.-based Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services.
3. Missouri hospital to pay physician $751k in wrongful termination suit
Mercy Springfield (Mo.) was ordered to pay $751,000 to a physician who sued the nonprofit health system in 2013, claiming she was fired for raising concerns over the hospital's treatment and billing practices.
4. 21st Century Oncology to pay $34.7M to settle false claims allegations
Fort Myers, Fla.-based 21st Century Oncology, the nation's largest physician-led integrated cancer care provider, agreed to pay the federal government $34.7 million to resolve allegations it performed and billed for procedures that were not medically necessary.
5. Former Sacred Heart physician convicted in kickback scheme
A federal jury found Venkateswara Kuchipudi, MD, guilty for his involvement in a kickback scheme at the now shuttered Sacred Heart Hospital in Chicago.
6. Florida physician faces 10 years in prison for fraud
Isaac Kojo Anakwah Thompson, MD, of Delray Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud for engaging in a scheme to defraud the Medicare Advantage program.
7. Swedish Medical Center faces lawsuit after former employee puts 3,000 patients at risk of HIV, hepatitis
In early February, Denver-based Swedish Medical Center began notifying patients of potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis B and C after it came to light that a former surgical technician for the hospital had possibly stolen drugs and left infected needles in the facility. Now three patients have filed a lawsuit against the hospital over their exposure risk.
8. Court of appeals to take second look at Mich. health claims tax
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit will re-examine Michigan's Health Insurance Claims Assessment Act in light of the Supreme Court's recent ruling in Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual.
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9 latest False Claims Act settlements