The following investigations, lawsuits, settlements or other legal developments involving healthcare providers were reported within the past month, beginning with the most recent.
1. Nurse's Suit Against Allina Health Claims Retaliation, Substandard Trauma Care
A former nurse at a hospital within Minneapolis-based Allina Health System filed suit, claiming she was fired in retaliation for reporting shortcomings in the hospital's trauma program.
2. 10 HMA Hospitals Sue BCBS of Mississippi
Ten Mississippi hospitals owned by Health Management Associates filed suit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, claiming the payer shortchanged them by a cumulative of at least $13 million in improperly reduced inpatient payments.
3. Prime Settles Alleged HIPAA Violation
Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare and its Shasta Regional Medical Center settled a federal investigation and will pay $275,000 to resolve an alleged HIPAA violation.
4. UPMC's Amended Suit Claims Pittsburgh Mayor is Trying to Cover City Scandal
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center filed an amended lawsuit against city Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, claiming the mayor's lawsuit challenging UPMC's nonprofit status is a strategy to divert attention from a city scandal.
5. Neurologist: Intermountain Healthcare Barred Competition for Stroke Care
A neurologist filed suit against Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare for allegedly causing the closure of her clinic and risking stroke patients' health to increase revenue for its emergency departments.
6. Beacon Health System Faces Sex Discrimination Suit Over Health Benefits
South Bend, Ind.-based Beacon Health System is one of five institutions facing a sex discrimination complaint from the National Women's Law Center, which has requested an investigation into the system's health benefits plan and pregnancy coverage.
7. DOJ Wants Up to $600M From Halifax Health in Whistleblower Case
The U.S. Department of Justice asked Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Fla., to pay up to $600 million in damages and penalties in a whistleblower lawsuit alleging Medicare fraud and kickbacks.
8. Lawsuit Claims Illinois' Charity Care Law is Unconstitutional
Two plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago, asking the court to strike a new law that defines charity care for tax-exempt hospitals in Illinois.
More Articles on Hospitals and Legal Issues:
10 Recent Investigations, Lawsuits and Settlements Involving Hospitals
Stark Law, False Claims and HIPAA: Key Risk Areas for Hospitals
CMS: More Than 14k Providers Kicked Out of Medicare Since 2011