From a Pennsylvania hospital accused of overbilling the state by $9 million to oncologists suing HHS, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits making headlines.
1. Missouri hospital employee allegedly stole $54k in medical supplies meant for charity
A former supply chain coordinator at Mercy Hospital Springfield (Mo.) allegedly stole $54,875 in medical supplies from the hospital and sold it to a company in Florida.
2. Oncologists sue HHS over Part B payment cuts: 5 things to know
The Community Oncology Alliance, a nonprofit representing more than 5,000 independent, community-based oncologists, filed a lawsuit against HHS and the White House Office of Management and Budget to halt a 2 percent Medicare sequester cut to the reimbursement or payment for Part B drugs, including cancer drugs.
3. Pennsylvania hospital accused of overbilling state by $9M
Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital on May 22, alleging Lancaster General submitted hundreds of inaccurate and overstated claims to the state's Extraordinary Expense Fund, which compensates hospitals for their charity care.
4. Humana sues government to keep secrets of its $45B Tricare contract confidential
Humana's government business filed a reverse Freedom of Information Act suit against a federal agency to shield trade secrets regarding its $45 billion Tricare managed care contract.
5. Aetna, newborn physician firms embroiled in legal battle over payments
Health insurer Aetna and Pediatrix Medical Services, a Sunrise, Fla.-based provider of pediatric services, are caught up in a legal battle over each other's billing practices.
6. New York City physician sues former patient for $1M over negative Yelp review
Joon Song, MD, an OB-GYN in New York City, filed a $1 million lawsuit against a former patient who posted negative reviews of the physician online.
7. Aetna sues 2 firms for alleged $20M HIV privacy breach
Aetna filed a lawsuit against two firms representing members who allegedly had their HIV status potentially revealed through transparent envelope windows.
8. Whistle-blower: Steward Health Care restricted referrals, compromised care to keep patients in network
A physician filed a whistle-blower lawsuit against Boston-based Steward Health Care, alleging the health system pressured him and other physicians to refer patients only to Steward hospitals and specialists.
9. Cigna, claims processor hit with 2nd cost-shifting lawsuit in 2 months
Cigna, third-party claims administrator American Specialty Health and its subsidiaries face more accusations of cost-shifting for plan members receiving physician and occupational therapy services.
10. Class-action suit sought against Premier Health, surgeon over billing 'scheme'
Two patients are seeking class-action status for a lawsuit filed May 2 against Dayton, Ohio-based Premier Health and one of its surgeons, arguing they were unlawfully charged an out-of-network rate despite going to an in-network hospital.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
Nurse awarded $28M in retaliation suit against Brigham and Women's Hospital
Former Anthem fraud investigator charged in $20M billing scheme
Nurse accused of stealing more than $550k from New York hospital