From a physician charged with involuntary manslaughter to a former hospital CEO indicted in a $1M fraud scheme, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Physician charged in accidental shooting death of orthopedic sales representative
Adam Lazzarini, MD, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the accidental shooting death of a CrossLink Orthopaedics sales representative Oct. 9, 2017.
2. 4 found guilty in insider trading case linked to CMS
Two former CMS officials and two partners at a New York City-based hedge fund were found guilty of insider trading charges May 3.
3. Former finance director gets prison time for stealing $3.9M from UNC hospital
The former finance director for High Point (N.C.) Regional Hospital, part of Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health Care, was sentenced May 3 to 8.5 years in prison for embezzling $3.9 million from the hospital.
4. Ex-Florida hospital CEO indicted in $1M scheme
A 28-count indictment unsealed May 2 charges the former CEO of Blountstown, Fla.-based Calhoun Liberty Hospital with defrauding the hospital of more than $1 million over a five-year period.
5. Court decides Envision, UnitedHealthcare must arbitrate: 4 things to know
A district court tossed Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare's lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare, effectively compelling the parties to resolve their dispute through arbitration.
6. Healthcare activists sue Maine's HHS over idled Medicaid expansion
Maine advocacy groups, including the Maine Primary Care Association and Maine Consumers for Affordable Health Care, filed a lawsuit against Republican Gov. Paul LePage's administration, alleging the state's executive branch disregarded voter-approved Medicaid expansion.
7. Northwell Health nurse arrested for allegedly stealing $34k worth of medical devices from ICU
A nurse who worked for Manhasset, N.Y.-based North Shore University Hospital, part of New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, was arrested for allegedly stealing $34,000 worth of medical devices from a surgical intensive care unit.
8. Chicagoland physician misuses patient information, indicted for insurance fraud
Pranav Patel, MD, owner of Palos Medical Care in Palos Heights, Ill., was charged April 27 with insurance fraud after billing Medicare and a private insurer $1 million for nonexistent treatments.
9. Former Sparrow Carson executive claims she was fired for reporting substandard medical care
Carson City, Mich.-based Sparrow Carson Hospital officials announced the departure of the hospital's Chief Nursing Officer and COO Barb McQuillan, BSN, RN, in March, but declined to say why. In a whistle-blower lawsuit filed April 25, Ms. McQuillan claims she was fired for reporting quality of care issues at the hospital.
10. Florida surgery center director accused of stealing hospital supplies, selling on eBay
The director of administration for Melbourne (Fla.) Same Day Surgery Center was arrested for allegedly stealing and selling thousands of dollars worth of hospital equipment.
11. Former St. Dominic Hospital employee charged with stealing patient information, faces up to 10 years in prison
A former Jackson, Miss.-based St. Dominic Hospital employee was arrested April 25 for allegedly stealing a patient's money and banking information.
12. Supreme court ruling aids uninsured Texans in disputing high hospital bills
Uninsured patients in Texas could have an easier time challenging excessive hospital bills in light of an April 27 ruling from the Texas Supreme Court.
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