From a man suing a Florida hospital after his amputated leg was found in the garbage to a physician claiming HCA was able to beat his antitrust appeal by improperly influencing a judge, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements.
1. HCA wins lawsuit: Physician plaintiff now accuses HCA of improperly influencing judge
A physician filed a lawsuit claiming Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Holdings beat his antitrust appeal due to Ninth Circuit Judge Jay Bybee being improperly assigned to the case.
2. Kansas, Texas back Florida in Medicaid expansion fight
Kansas and Texas — two states that have not expanded Medicaid — will file friend-of-the-court briefs supporting Florida in the lawsuit it recently brought against the federal government for allegedly withholding money from the state to force it into expanding Medicaid.
3. HCA hospitals settle Medicare fraud case that could have national implications
An ambulance company and nine hospitals in the Jacksonville, Fla., area, including four operated by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Holdings, agreed to pay $7.5 million to the federal government to settle allegations they fraudulently billed Medicare for medically unnecessary ambulance rides.
4. Man sues Florida hospital after his amputated leg found in garbage
John Timiriasieff claims his leg was thrown in the garbage after it was amputated at Coral Gables, Fla.-based Doctors Hospital in October 2014.
5. Supreme Court refuses to hear ProMedica appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica Health System's appeal of the ruling that blocked its acquisition of Maumee, Ohio-based St. Luke's Hospital.
6. UnitedHealthcare to pay $11.5M for alleged systematic payment denial
Health insurer UnitedHealthcare will pay $11.5 million to resolve allegations it systematically denied payments to physicians to achieve financial targets.
7. Apple faces lawsuit over HealthKit and Health App
LMG 3 Marketing and Development filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apple for its HealthKit and Health App, alleging the medical records function of the app had already been patented.