From hospitals winning a challenge to site-neutral pay cuts to Walgreens settling a class-action lawsuit over ad restrictions, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Hospitals win challenge to site-neutral pay cuts
A Washington, D.C., federal judge ruled Sept. 17 that CMS overstepped its authority last year when it expanded a site-neutral pay policy that cut Medicare payments for hospital outpatient visits by hundreds of millions of dollars.
2. 17 medical professionals charged in $258M billing fraud bust
Thirty-four people, including 17 physicians and other licensed medical professionals, were charged for their alleged roles in Medicare and Medicaid fraud schemes in three states.
3. Patient says Houston clinic refuses to send her copies of medical records
A former patient at Houston-based U.S. Pain & Spine Hospital filed a lawsuit against the medical center, saying officials have failed to provider her copies of her medical records.
4. Nurse imposter treated 100+ patients at Louisiana nursing home, police say
A 59-year-old woman is accused of impersonating a licensed practical nurse and treating patients at a Louisiana nursing home.
5. Illinois hospital will stay open — for now
Members of the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board were scheduled to vote Sept. 17 on Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health's application to close MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island, Ill. The board decided to defer action after a lawsuit was filed Sept. 16 against Quorum, alleging the company engaged in bad-faith negotiation tactics.
6. Former UnityPoint nurse pleads guilty in NICU abuse case
A former nurse accused of injuring infant patients at Madison, Wis.-based UnityPoint Health-Meriter will plead guilty to 19 counts of felony child abuse.
7. Former Texas hospital executive gets 10 years for $16M fraud
A former Houston-area hospital administrator was sentenced to 10 years in prison Sept. 16 for his role in a $16 million Medicare fraud scheme.
8. Judge halts $55M sale of Hahnemann residency programs
A bankruptcy judge temporarily halted the sale of Philadelphia-based Hahnemann University Hospital's residency programs.
9. Former Nationwide Children's Hospital researchers charged with stealing trade secrets
A couple who previously worked in medical research labs at Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Children's Hospital's Research Institute are accused of stealing scientific trade secrets for their own financial gain.
10. Tennessee lawmaker who called healthcare exec an 'Irish gangster' claims immunity in defamation suit
A Tennessee lawmaker says he is immune to liability in a defamation lawsuit filed by West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Rennova Health President and CEO Seamus Lagan.
11. Walgreens to settle class-action suit over ad restrictions
Walgreens agreed Sept. 17 to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging it violated antitrust laws by restricting search advertisements.
12. UnitedHealth sued over $5M in mental health claims
UnitedHealth Group faces a lawsuit that accuses the health insurer of illegally denying mental health and addiction benefits to maximize profits.
13. Fiat Chrysler company accuses BCBS of Michigan of paying inflated medical claims
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan knowingly paid improper and inflated medical claims, a Fiat Chrysler subsidiary claimed in a lawsuit filed against the insurer.
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Florida healthcare executive gets 20 years in $1.3B Medicare fraud case