From hospitals settling overbilling allegations to a nurse suing a hospital for discrimination, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Maine hospital to pay $1.5M to settle overbilling allegations
Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, agreed to pay $1.51 million to resolve allegations it violated the federal and Maine False Claims Acts.
2. Catholic Health to pay $6M to settle overbilling allegations
Buffalo, N.Y.-based Catholic Health agreed to pay $6 million to settle allegations its nursing home subsidiary overbilled Medicare for rehabilitation therapy services.
3. Maryland hospital quotes Shakespeare in defense of physician who used fake identity
Dimensions Health, a Maryland system serving residents of Prince George's County, argued in a motion to dismiss that it should not face a putative class-action lawsuit alleging a former OB-GYN used a fake identity while providing care to at least 1,000 women at Dimensions' facilities.
4. Catholic nurse sues Duke University Hospital after she refuses to assist with abortions
A Catholic nurse filed a lawsuit Oct. 27 against Durham, N.C.-based Duke University Hospital for allegedly discriminating against her religious beliefs after she refused to assist with abortions, contraceptives or vaccinations.
5. Presbyterian Healthcare reaches $18.5M settlement over alleged tax fraud
Albuquerque, N.M.-based Presbyterian Healthcare Services agreed to pay the state $18.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging tax fraud.
6. Utah nurse reaches $500k settlement with Salt Lake City, U of Utah after blood draw scandal
The Utah nurse forcibly arrested for refusing to let a police officer draw blood from an unconscious patient reached a settlement with Salt Lake City and the University of Utah.
7. Steward Health Care sues Massachusetts to avoid financial disclosures
Steward Health Care, a 36-hospital system based in Boston, is suing state officials for demanding financial information.
8. Hartford HealthCare loses lawsuit claiming Anthem forced 'catastrophically' low rates
A district judge tossed a lawsuit filed by Hartford (Conn.) HealthCare against Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut.
9. Judge rules against Florida governor's nursing home generator rule
A Florida judge rejected an emergency rule adopted Sept. 16 for generators at assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
10. CareFirst petitions Supreme Court to hear data breach case, establish guidance for determining standing
Health insurer CareFirst is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a lower court's ruling that permitted a data breach class-action lawsuit against the company to advance.
11. 4 Oklahoma hospitals allege BCBS breached contract
Four rural Oklahoma hospitals sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma for allegedly breaching contract amid an ongoing rate dispute.
12. New Jersey files opioid epidemic lawsuit against Purdue Pharma
New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma, alleging the drugmaker engaged in deceptive marketing campaigns from the late 1990s through 2007 to promote the widespread use of opioid pain medicines, including OxyContin.
13. Mid Dakota physician testifies in court, says majority of patients do not approve of Sanford merger
A Bismarck, N.D.-based Mid Dakota Clinic physician took the stand to voice her opposition to the health system's proposed merger with Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health, stating the majority of her patients do not support the deal.
14. Vitas, largest US for-profit hospice chain, to dole out $75M in false claims settlement
Cincinnati-based Chemed Corporation and its subsidiaries, Vitas Hospice Services and Vitas Healthcare Corporation, agreed to pay a $75 million settlement for allegedly submitting false claims for hospice services to Medicare.
15. Ohio county files opioid lawsuit against drugmakers, distributors
Officials with Cuyahoga County filed a lawsuit against multiple drugmakers, drug distributors and physicians for their alleged role in facilitating high rates of opioid overdoses in one of Ohio's most populated counties.
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