Stay in the know with Becker's Hospital Review's weekly roundup of the nation's biggest healthcare news. Here's what you need to know this week.
1. Teen poses as physician again, this time at his own fake medical office
A Florida teenager, Malachi Love-Robinson, is accused of pretending to be a physician for the second time in just over a year. Mr. Love-Robinson, 18, was arrested Feb. 16 and charged with practicing medicine without a license. He allegedly performed physical exams and gave medical advice to people — including an undercover officer — at an illegal medical office he ran in West Palm Beach, Fla., according to the Sun Sentinel.
2. 51 hospitals pay $23M for alleged overuse of cardiac devices
The Department of Justice inked a deal for more than $23 million with 51 hospitals across the nation — including Cleveland Clinic and San Francisco-based Dignity Health hospitals — to settle False Claims Act allegations related to the implantation of cardiac devices in Medicare patients. The claims made against the hospitals involve a cardiac device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
3. What Justice Scalia's death could mean for healthcare
The death of 79-year-old Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Feb. 13 could muddle several important healthcare cases in the high court. Without the sharp-tongued, conservative Justice Scalia, the court is lopsided in favor of the liberal opinion. Eight justices remain, with four acting as liberal members, and three remaining in its conservative wing. Justice Anthony Kennedy is typically the swing vote, according to The New York Times. In his absence, the liberal justices need only to win the vote of Justice Kennedy to secure a win. The conservatives would have to attract Justice Kennedy and a liberal leaning justice.
4. Hospital pays $17k ransom to get medical records back from hackers
Hollywood (Calif.) Presbyterian Medical Center paid $17,000 to hackers, ending an electronic standoff that began Feb. 5, in which a ransomware attack rendered the hospital's IT systems and medical records inaccessible.
5. Apple CEO defies order to unlock San Bernardino shooter's phone for FBI
The FBI has ordered Apple to unlock an iPhone used by one of the gunmen in the December attack in San Bernardino, Calif., but Apple CEO Tim Cook said he will not comply with the order, citing customer security concerns, reports The New York Times.
6. Florida insurance regulators give Aetna-Humana merger the green light
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation approved Aetna's plan to purchase Humana — but there are a few conditions. For instance, Aetna must enter five new counties by 2018 and offer a detailed plan for statewide expansion by 2020. It must also continue its "fair treatment" of its consumers with HIV, according to the report. In late 2014, Humana reached a similar agreement with the state due to a federal complaint regarding discrimination.
7. 5 things to know about WHO's emergency response plan for Zika outbreak
The World Health Organization received considerable criticism for failing to respond promptly to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. To avoid making the same mistake again, WHO launched a global emergency response plan to handle the spread of Zika virus infection and the birth defects thought to be associated with the tropical disease. Click here to learn more.
8. Oscar Health sees low enrollment after premiering in California
New York-based Oscar Health, an insurance company start-up, debuted in California during this year's open enrollment period. But the enrollment numbers prove it is off to a slow start in the state. Numbers from Covered California — the state's public health exchange — show Oscar signed up slightly more than 2,000 consumers on the exchange, according to The Orange County Register. Oscar said it also enrolled 3,000 members off the exchange.
9. LA physical therapy practice to pay $25k HIPAA fine for online testimonials
CompletePT Pool & Land Physician Therapy in Los Angeles agreed to pay $25,000 to settle HIPAA violation allegations. The allegations stem from accusations the physical therapy practice posted online patient testimonials in 2012, including full names and photos. HHS' Office for Civil Rights received a complaint alleging the physical therapy practice did not receive proper authorization to disclose protected health information.